Crime in Watford (Watford): statistics, rates and trends
14,210 crimes were recorded in Watford (Watford) in the 12 months to July 2026, 103.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Watford (Watford) at a glance
- Crime trends in Watford (Watford)
- Types of crime in Watford (Watford)
- Watford (Watford) compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Watford (Watford)
- Streets with the most crime in Watford (Watford)
- What happened after crimes were reported in Watford (Watford)
- Population and deprivation in Watford (Watford)
- Questions about crime in Watford (Watford)
- About this data
14,210 crimes were recorded in Watford (Watford) in the 12 months to July 2026, 103.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,801 reports (34% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Watford (Watford) has the 322nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Watford (Watford) | Watford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 14,210 | 11,830 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 103.3 | 110.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +4% | +4% | -1% |
| Population | 137,531 | 107,171 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Watford (Watford) was highest in the year to July 2018 (15,258 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (12,485). Over the whole period it fell 7%, 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 | 14,210 | 103.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 13,697 | 99.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 13,436 | 97.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 13,799 | 100.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 13,539 | 98.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 12,485 | 90.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 13,600 | 98.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 14,982 | 108.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 15,258 | 110.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 1,420 |
| June 2026 | 1,353 |
| May 2026 | 1,284 |
| April 2026 | 1,150 |
| March 2026 | 1,162 |
| February 2026 | 1,031 |
| January 2026 | 1,089 |
| December 2025 | 1,077 |
| November 2025 | 1,042 |
| October 2025 | 1,188 |
| September 2025 | 1,129 |
| August 2025 | 1,285 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Watford (Watford) 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 anti-social behaviour, drugs, bicycle theft.
The largest increases were in drugs (+92%) and bicycle theft (+11%). The largest falls were in burglary (-19%) and vehicle crime (-12%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 4,801 | 34.9 | 1.02 | +10% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 2,796 | 20.3 | 1.33 | -6% |
| Shoplifting | 1,243 | 9.0 | 1.09 | +6% |
| Other theft | 1,085 | 7.9 | 1.23 | +2% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 891 | 6.5 | 0.96 | +1% |
| Public order | 844 | 6.1 | 0.92 | +11% |
| Vehicle crime | 736 | 5.4 | 1.09 | -12% |
| Drugs | 564 | 4.1 | 1.25 | +92% |
| Burglary | 359 | 2.6 | 0.74 | -19% |
| Other crime | 220 | 1.6 | 0.76 | -4% |
| Theft from the person | 196 | 1.4 | 0.84 | -7% |
| Bicycle theft | 186 | 1.4 | 1.64 | +11% |
| Robbery | 164 | 1.2 | 0.88 | -9% |
| Possession of weapons | 125 | 0.9 | 0.94 | +2% |
Violence and sexual offences in Watford (Watford)
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Watford (Watford) recorded 4,801 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (34.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 33.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Watford (Watford)
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Watford (Watford) recorded 2,796 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 19.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Watford (Watford)
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Watford (Watford) recorded 1,243 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Watford (Watford)
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Watford (Watford) recorded 1,085 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Watford (Watford)
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Watford (Watford) recorded 891 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Watford (Watford)
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Watford (Watford) recorded 844 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Watford (Watford)
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Watford (Watford) recorded 736 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Watford (Watford)
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Watford (Watford) recorded 564 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 92% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Watford (Watford)
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Watford (Watford) recorded 359 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 down 19% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Watford (Watford)
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Watford (Watford) recorded 220 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Watford (Watford)
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Watford (Watford) recorded 196 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Watford (Watford)
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Watford (Watford) recorded 186 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Watford (Watford)
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Watford (Watford) recorded 164 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Watford (Watford)
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Watford (Watford) recorded 125 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Watford (Watford), for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Watford (Watford).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Watford (Watford) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bushey | 1,825 | 64.4 | -38% |
| Moor Park | 189 | 32.7 | -68% |
| Rickmansworth | 1,784 | 76.7 | -26% |
| Abbots Langley and Kings Langley | 1,082 | 65.3 | -37% |
| Bricket Wood | 307 | 57.6 | -44% |
| Radlett | 470 | 57.6 | -44% |
| Chorleywood | 522 | 36.5 | -65% |
| Chiswell Green | 270 | 45.1 | -56% |
16 areas within Watford (Watford), ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Central had the highest rate (318.6 per 1,000) and Nascot the lowest (45.8). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central | Neighbourhood | 12,632 | 4,025 | 318.6 |
| Meriden | Neighbourhood | 8,575 | 987 | 115.1 |
| Vicarage | Neighbourhood | 9,918 | 1,092 | 110.1 |
| Carpenders Park | Neighbourhood | 7,170 | 740 | 103.2 |
| Holywell | Neighbourhood | 11,554 | 1,171 | 101.4 |
| Woodside | Neighbourhood | 7,849 | 743 | 94.7 |
| Callowland | Neighbourhood | 9,281 | 852 | 91.8 |
| Leavesden | Neighbourhood | 9,082 | 718 | 79.1 |
| South Oxhey | Neighbourhood | 8,916 | 700 | 78.5 |
| Tudor | Neighbourhood | 6,206 | 466 | 75.1 |
| Park | Neighbourhood | 8,392 | 596 | 71.0 |
| Leggatts | Neighbourhood | 8,956 | 605 | 67.6 |
| Oxhey | Neighbourhood | 7,313 | 459 | 62.8 |
| Stanborough | Neighbourhood | 7,232 | 410 | 56.7 |
| Oxhey Hall & Hayling | Neighbourhood | 7,842 | 439 | 56.0 |
| Nascot | Neighbourhood | 9,263 | 424 | 45.8 |
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 Watford (Watford) over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 841 |
| On or near Supermarket | 804 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 746 |
| On or near Nightclub | 326 |
| On or near Hospital | 257 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 181 |
| On or near Bus/Coach Station | 159 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 158 |
| On or near Wells Yard | 155 |
| On or near Wellstones | 115 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Watford (Watford) 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 4,595 | 32.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 3,643 | 25.6% |
| Not recorded | 2,796 | 19.7% |
| Under investigation | 1,201 | 8.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 598 | 4.2% |
| Local resolution | 505 | 3.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 375 | 2.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 213 | 1.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 136 | 1.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 61 | 0.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 49 | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 21 | 0.1% |
Watford (Watford) has an estimated population of 137,531. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Watford (Watford) sits in decile 6.2, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Watford (Watford) |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 21.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 65.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 13.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 58.0% |
| Social rented homes | 17.4% |
| Private rented homes | 24.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.2 |
Is Watford (Watford) a safe place to live?
Watford (Watford) recorded 103.3 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Watford (Watford)?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 4,801 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (2,796).
Is crime in Watford (Watford) going up or down?
Recorded crime in Watford (Watford) was up 4% on the year before: 14,210 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 13,697 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Watford (Watford)?
Watford (Watford) 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 Watford (Watford). Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.