Crime in Waltham: statistics, rates and trends

202 crimes were recorded in Waltham in the 12 months to July 2026, 29.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 23% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 96 reports (48% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Waltham has the 1,392nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Waltham was highest in the year to July 2022 (286 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (202). Over the whole period it fell 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 Waltham 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 falls were in public order (-66%) and criminal damage and arson (-39%).

Violence and sexual offences in Waltham

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Waltham recorded 96 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 47.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Waltham

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Waltham recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Waltham

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Waltham recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 9.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Waltham

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Waltham recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 70% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Waltham

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Waltham recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 39% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Waltham

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Waltham recorded 12 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 66% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Waltham

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Waltham recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Waltham

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Waltham recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Waltham

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Waltham recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Waltham

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Waltham recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Waltham

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Waltham recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

1 areas within Waltham, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Waltham had the highest rate (29.5 per 1,000) and Waltham the lowest (29.5). 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 Waltham over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Waltham 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.

Waltham has an estimated population of 6,851. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Waltham sits in decile 8.2, 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 Waltham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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