Crime in Potters Bar: statistics, rates and trends

2,293 crimes were recorded in Potters Bar in the 12 months to July 2026, 93.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 740 reports (32% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Potters Bar has the 435th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Potters Bar was highest in the year to July 2026 (2,293 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (2,030). Over the whole period it rose 5%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Potters Bar over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for other theft, vehicle crime, burglary.

The largest increases were in drugs (+72%) and other theft (+23%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-52%) and other crime (-36%).

Violence and sexual offences in Potters Bar

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Potters Bar recorded 740 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 32.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Potters Bar

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Potters Bar recorded 439 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 19.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Potters Bar

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Potters Bar recorded 254 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 11.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Potters Bar

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Potters Bar recorded 185 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 52% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Potters Bar

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Potters Bar recorded 156 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Potters Bar

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Potters Bar recorded 128 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Potters Bar

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Potters Bar recorded 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Potters Bar

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Potters Bar recorded 100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Potters Bar

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Potters Bar recorded 93 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 72% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Potters Bar

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Potters Bar recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Potters Bar

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Potters Bar recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Potters Bar

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Potters Bar recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Potters Bar

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Potters Bar recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Potters Bar

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Potters Bar recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 62% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Potters Bar, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Potters Bar.

4 areas within Potters Bar, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Potters Bar Parkfield had the highest rate (115.9 per 1,000) and Bentley Heath & The Royds the lowest (71.3). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Potters Bar over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Potters Bar over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Potters Bar has an estimated population of 24,465. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Potters Bar sits in decile 7.4, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Potters Bar. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.