Crime in Welwyn Garden City: statistics, rates and trends
5,028 crimes were recorded in Welwyn Garden City in the 12 months to July 2026, 98.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Welwyn Garden City at a glance
- Crime trends in Welwyn Garden City
- Types of crime in Welwyn Garden City
- Welwyn Garden City compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Welwyn Garden City
- Streets with the most crime in Welwyn Garden City
- What happened after crimes were reported in Welwyn Garden City
- Population and deprivation in Welwyn Garden City
- Questions about crime in Welwyn Garden City
- About this data
5,028 crimes were recorded in Welwyn Garden City in the 12 months to July 2026, 98.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,642 reports (33% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Welwyn Garden City has the 372nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Welwyn Garden City | Welwyn Hatfield | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 5,028 | 11,992 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 98.9 | 97.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -2% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 50,862 | 122,819 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Welwyn Garden City was highest in the year to July 2023 (5,661 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (4,839). 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 | 5,028 | 98.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 5,127 | 100.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 4,839 | 95.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 5,661 | 111.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 5,049 | 99.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 4,911 | 96.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 5,511 | 108.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 5,473 | 107.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 5,385 | 105.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 516 |
| June 2026 | 466 |
| May 2026 | 492 |
| April 2026 | 432 |
| March 2026 | 450 |
| February 2026 | 352 |
| January 2026 | 346 |
| December 2025 | 395 |
| November 2025 | 386 |
| October 2025 | 421 |
| September 2025 | 380 |
| August 2025 | 392 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Welwyn Garden City 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, shoplifting, bicycle theft.
The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+32%) and drugs (+25%). The largest falls were in robbery (-34%) and theft from the person (-33%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,642 | 32.3 | 0.94 | +2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 1,220 | 24.0 | 1.56 | +32% |
| Shoplifting | 629 | 12.4 | 1.49 | -32% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 300 | 5.9 | 0.87 | -1% |
| Public order | 264 | 5.2 | 0.78 | +10% |
| Other theft | 220 | 4.3 | 0.68 | -17% |
| Vehicle crime | 220 | 4.3 | 0.88 | -13% |
| Burglary | 157 | 3.1 | 0.87 | -30% |
| Drugs | 115 | 2.3 | 0.69 | +25% |
| Other crime | 100 | 2.0 | 0.93 | -5% |
| Bicycle theft | 64 | 1.3 | 1.53 | -10% |
| Possession of weapons | 38 | 0.7 | 0.77 | +9% |
| Robbery | 37 | 0.7 | 0.54 | -34% |
| Theft from the person | 22 | 0.4 | 0.26 | -33% |
Violence and sexual offences in Welwyn Garden City
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Welwyn Garden City recorded 1,642 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 32.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Welwyn Garden City
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Welwyn Garden City recorded 1,220 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 24.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Welwyn Garden City
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Welwyn Garden City recorded 629 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 12.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Welwyn Garden City
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Welwyn Garden City recorded 300 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Welwyn Garden City
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Welwyn Garden City recorded 264 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Welwyn Garden City
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Welwyn Garden City recorded 220 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Welwyn Garden City
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Welwyn Garden City recorded 220 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Welwyn Garden City
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Welwyn Garden City recorded 157 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Welwyn Garden City
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Welwyn Garden City recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Welwyn Garden City
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Welwyn Garden City recorded 100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Welwyn Garden City
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Welwyn Garden City recorded 64 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Welwyn Garden City
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Welwyn Garden City recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Welwyn Garden City
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Welwyn Garden City recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Welwyn Garden City
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Welwyn Garden City recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Welwyn Garden City, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Welwyn Garden City.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Welwyn Garden City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatfield | 5,469 | 126.7 | +28% |
| Hertford | 2,590 | 83.6 | -15% |
| St Albans | 6,326 | 86.3 | -13% |
| London Colney | 1,233 | 146.7 | +48% |
| Harpenden | 1,123 | 38.9 | -61% |
| Ware | 1,325 | 65.9 | -33% |
| Potters Bar | 2,293 | 93.7 | -5% |
| Stevenage | 10,799 | 113.7 | +15% |
8 areas within Welwyn Garden City, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Handside had the highest rate (224.3 per 1,000) and Panshanger the lowest (51.6). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handside | Neighbourhood | 6,987 | 1,567 | 224.3 |
| Peartree | Neighbourhood | 8,036 | 937 | 116.6 |
| Haldens | Neighbourhood | 6,227 | 533 | 85.6 |
| Howlands | Neighbourhood | 7,902 | 622 | 78.7 |
| Hollybush | Neighbourhood | 7,879 | 614 | 77.9 |
| Sherrards | Neighbourhood | 6,078 | 340 | 55.9 |
| Welwyn East | Neighbourhood | 6,389 | 341 | 53.4 |
| Panshanger | Neighbourhood | 6,089 | 314 | 51.6 |
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 Welwyn Garden City over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 506 |
| On or near Supermarket | 406 |
| On or near Howardsgate | 102 |
| On or near Otto Road | 101 |
| On or near Parking Area | 95 |
| On or near Stonehills | 93 |
| On or near Fretherne Road | 81 |
| On or near Black Fan Road | 75 |
| On or near Stanborough Road | 65 |
| On or near The Wade | 61 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Welwyn Garden City 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 | 1,430 | 28.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 1,241 | 24.7% |
| Not recorded | 1,220 | 24.3% |
| Under investigation | 495 | 9.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 231 | 4.6% |
| Local resolution | 155 | 3.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 106 | 2.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 65 | 1.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 46 | 0.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 14 | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 9 | 0.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 9 | 0.2% |
Welwyn Garden City has an estimated population of 50,862. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Welwyn Garden City sits in decile 6.4, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Welwyn Garden City |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 62.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 17.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 57.2% |
| Social rented homes | 30.6% |
| Private rented homes | 12.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.4 |
Is Welwyn Garden City a safe place to live?
Welwyn Garden City recorded 98.9 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 Welwyn Garden City?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,642 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (1,220).
Is crime in Welwyn Garden City going up or down?
Recorded crime in Welwyn Garden City was down 2% on the year before: 5,028 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 5,127 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Welwyn Garden City?
Welwyn Garden City 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 Welwyn Garden City. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.