Crime in Ware: statistics, rates and trends
1,325 crimes were recorded in Ware in the 12 months to July 2026, 65.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
1,325 crimes were recorded in Ware in the 12 months to July 2026, 65.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than 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 515 reports (39% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Ware has the 855th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Ware | East Hertfordshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,325 | 10,684 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 65.9 | 68.1 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -1% | +3% | -1% |
| Population | 20,115 | 156,875 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Ware was highest in the year to July 2019 (1,660 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (1,257). Over the whole period it fell 12%, 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 | 1,325 | 65.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,332 | 66.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,363 | 67.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,311 | 65.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,257 | 62.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,356 | 67.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,427 | 70.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,660 | 82.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,508 | 75.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 128 |
| June 2026 | 110 |
| May 2026 | 124 |
| April 2026 | 86 |
| March 2026 | 103 |
| February 2026 | 102 |
| January 2026 | 73 |
| December 2025 | 122 |
| November 2025 | 108 |
| October 2025 | 115 |
| September 2025 | 134 |
| August 2025 | 120 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Ware 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 drugs (+94%) and shoplifting (+24%).
The largest falls were in other crime (-39%) and criminal damage and arson (-33%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 515 | 25.6 | 0.75 | +8% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 291 | 14.5 | 0.94 | -2% |
| Other theft | 80 | 4.0 | 0.62 | +3% |
| Public order | 73 | 3.6 | 0.55 | -16% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 68 | 3.4 | 0.50 | -33% |
| Vehicle crime | 68 | 3.4 | 0.69 | -21% |
| Drugs | 64 | 3.2 | 0.97 | +94% |
| Shoplifting | 63 | 3.1 | 0.38 | +24% |
| Burglary | 45 | 2.2 | 0.63 | +7% |
| Other crime | 20 | 1.0 | 0.47 | -39% |
| Robbery | 17 | 0.8 | 0.63 | +21% |
| Possession of weapons | 12 | 0.6 | 0.61 | +200% |
| Theft from the person | 6 | 0.3 | 0.18 | -50% |
| Bicycle theft | 3 | 0.1 | 0.18 | -80% |
Violence and sexual offences in Ware
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Ware recorded 515 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 38.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Ware
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Ware recorded 291 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 22.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Ware
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Ware recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Ware
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Ware recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Ware
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Ware recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Ware
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Ware recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Ware
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Ware recorded 64 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 94% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Ware
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Ware recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Ware
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Ware recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Ware
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Ware recorded 20 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 39% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Ware
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Ware recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Ware
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Ware recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Ware
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Ware recorded 6 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 down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Ware
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Ware recorded 3 reports 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 80% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Ware, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Ware.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Ware |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hertford | 2,590 | 83.6 | +27% |
| Hoddesdon | 3,486 | 86.8 | +32% |
| Harlow | 10,320 | 107.6 | +63% |
| Welwyn Garden City | 5,028 | 98.9 | +50% |
| Cheshunt | 4,252 | 95.6 | +45% |
| Sawbridgeworth | 630 | 53.8 | -18% |
| Waltham Cross | 1,602 | 120.3 | +83% |
| Bishop's Stortford | 3,497 | 78.8 | +20% |
3 areas within Ware, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Ware Priory had the highest rate (89.7 per 1,000) and Ware St Mary's the lowest (47.4). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ware Priory | Neighbourhood | 7,827 | 702 | 89.7 |
| Ware Trinity | Neighbourhood | 5,511 | 302 | 54.8 |
| Ware St Mary's | Neighbourhood | 6,777 | 321 | 47.4 |
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 Ware over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 110 |
| On or near Roman Court | 59 |
| On or near Bridge Foot | 41 |
| On or near Mill Close | 32 |
| On or near Cundalls Road | 31 |
| On or near East Street | 27 |
| On or near West Street | 25 |
| On or near Lady Margaret Gardens | 24 |
| On or near Priory Street | 24 |
| On or near Church Street | 23 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Ware 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 | 393 | 29.7% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 333 | 25.1% |
| Not recorded | 291 | 22.0% |
| Under investigation | 123 | 9.3% |
| Local resolution | 68 | 5.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 34 | 2.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 32 | 2.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 23 | 1.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 14 | 1.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 6 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% |
Ware has an estimated population of 20,115. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Ware sits in decile 8.1, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Ware |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 62.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 19.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 69.5% |
| Social rented homes | 14.0% |
| Private rented homes | 16.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.1 |
Is Ware a safe place to live?
Ware recorded 65.9 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 Ware?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 515 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (291).
Is crime in Ware going up or down?
Recorded crime in Ware was almost unchanged on the year before: 1,325 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,332 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Ware?
Ware 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 Ware. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.