Crime in Royston (North Hertfordshire): statistics, rates and trends
828 crimes were recorded in Royston (North Hertfordshire) in the 12 months to July 2026, 51.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 11% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Royston (North Hertfordshire) at a glance
- Crime trends in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
- Types of crime in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
- Royston (North Hertfordshire) compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Royston (North Hertfordshire)
- Streets with the most crime in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
- What happened after crimes were reported in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
- Population and deprivation in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
- Questions about crime in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
- About this data
828 crimes were recorded in Royston (North Hertfordshire) in the 12 months to July 2026, 51.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 11% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 304 reports (37% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Royston (North Hertfordshire) has the 1,134th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Royston (North Hertfordshire) | North Hertfordshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 828 | 9,015 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 51.5 | 65.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -11% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 16,086 | 137,201 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Royston (North Hertfordshire) was highest in the year to July 2024 (930 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (784). Over the whole period it rose 1%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 828 | 51.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 929 | 57.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 930 | 57.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 788 | 49.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 784 | 48.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 816 | 50.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 885 | 55.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 925 | 57.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 820 | 51.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 83 |
| June 2026 | 76 |
| May 2026 | 79 |
| April 2026 | 68 |
| March 2026 | 78 |
| February 2026 | 64 |
| January 2026 | 47 |
| December 2025 | 53 |
| November 2025 | 58 |
| October 2025 | 77 |
| September 2025 | 72 |
| August 2025 | 73 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Royston (North Hertfordshire) 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. The largest increases were in shoplifting (+51%) and burglary (+45%). The largest falls were in public order (-42%) and other theft (-35%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 304 | 18.9 | 0.55 | -6% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 188 | 11.7 | 0.76 | -24% |
| Shoplifting | 62 | 3.9 | 0.47 | +51% |
| Other theft | 50 | 3.1 | 0.49 | -35% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 44 | 2.7 | 0.40 | -21% |
| Burglary | 42 | 2.6 | 0.74 | +45% |
| Vehicle crime | 42 | 2.6 | 0.53 | -26% |
| Public order | 29 | 1.8 | 0.27 | -42% |
| Drugs | 25 | 1.6 | 0.48 | +25% |
| Other crime | 19 | 1.2 | 0.56 | +12% |
| Bicycle theft | 7 | 0.4 | 0.53 | +600% |
| Possession of weapons | 7 | 0.4 | 0.45 | +75% |
| Theft from the person | 5 | 0.3 | 0.18 | +25% |
| Robbery | 4 | 0.2 | 0.18 | +100% |
Violence and sexual offences in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Royston (North Hertfordshire) recorded 304 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 36.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Royston (North Hertfordshire) recorded 188 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 22.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Royston (North Hertfordshire) recorded 62 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 51% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Royston (North Hertfordshire) recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Royston (North Hertfordshire) recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Royston (North Hertfordshire) recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 45% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Royston (North Hertfordshire) recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Royston (North Hertfordshire) recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 42% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Royston (North Hertfordshire) recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Royston (North Hertfordshire) recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Royston (North Hertfordshire) recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 600% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Royston (North Hertfordshire) recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 75% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Royston (North Hertfordshire) recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Royston (North Hertfordshire)
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Royston (North Hertfordshire) recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Royston (North Hertfordshire), for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Royston (North Hertfordshire).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Royston (North Hertfordshire) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buntingford | 564 | 67.4 | +31% |
| Baldock | 805 | 75.1 | +46% |
| Sawston | 314 | 41.9 | -19% |
| Great Shelford and Stapleford | 238 | 35.5 | -31% |
| Stotfold | 660 | 48.2 | -6% |
| Letchworth | 2,841 | 84.5 | +64% |
| Biggleswade | 1,547 | 66.2 | +29% |
| Arlesey | 366 | 57.5 | +12% |
3 areas within Royston (North Hertfordshire), ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Royston Heath had the highest rate (73.3 per 1,000) and Royston Meridian the lowest (30.9). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royston Heath | Neighbourhood | 4,870 | 357 | 73.3 |
| Royston Palace | Neighbourhood | 5,918 | 425 | 71.8 |
| Royston Meridian | Neighbourhood | 7,746 | 239 | 30.9 |
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 Royston (North Hertfordshire) over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near George Lane | 34 |
| On or near King Street | 34 |
| On or near Supermarket | 31 |
| On or near Parking Area | 30 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 20 |
| On or near Fish Hill | 18 |
| On or near Austin Corner | 17 |
| On or near Stuart Drive | 17 |
| On or near Donne Close | 15 |
| On or near Princes Mews | 15 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Royston (North Hertfordshire) 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 225 | 27.2% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 217 | 26.2% |
| Not recorded | 188 | 22.7% |
| Under investigation | 89 | 10.7% |
| Local resolution | 34 | 4.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 28 | 3.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 16 | 1.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 9 | 1.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 8 | 1.0% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 2 | 0.2% |
Royston (North Hertfordshire) has an estimated population of 16,086. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Royston (North Hertfordshire) sits in decile 8.6, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Royston (North Hertfordshire) |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 19.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 71.2% |
| Social rented homes | 11.9% |
| Private rented homes | 16.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.6 |
Is Royston (North Hertfordshire) a safe place to live?
Royston (North Hertfordshire) recorded 51.5 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Royston (North Hertfordshire)?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 304 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (188).
Is crime in Royston (North Hertfordshire) going up or down?
Recorded crime in Royston (North Hertfordshire) was down 11% on the year before: 828 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 929 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Royston (North Hertfordshire)?
Royston (North Hertfordshire) is policed by Hertfordshire. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 Royston (North Hertfordshire). Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.