Crime Rate in Harlow: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Harlow

The total recorded crimes in Harlow, UK in May 2025 are around 918 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Harlow crime rate of 9.84 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Harlow, encompassing approximately 93,330 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (358) incidents (6.87% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (98) incidents (55.56% increase)
  • Public order: (79) incidents (0.00% decrease)
Harlow Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Police Station with total crimes: 22
  • Hospital with total crimes: 22
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 15

Harlow Police Info:

Essex Police

How safe is Harlow?

To understand the safety of Harlow, we need to analyze Harlow crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • Harlow has recorded 10,933 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 117.14 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 84 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 11,148 crimes with a crime rate of 119.45, ranking it 66 in the UK. This a decrease in crime suggests Positive changes.

  • Relative to Essex:

    • In 2024, Harlow demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Essex average, with 10933 crimes compared to 11188.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Furthermore, Harlow witnessed more crimes than 6 out of 11 other cities.

    • In 2023, Harlow experienced a greater number of crimes than the Essex average, with 11,148 crimes compared to 10,805. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Furthermore, Harlow witnessed more crimes than 6 out of 11 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Harlow is considered more dangerous compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Essex, Harlow has a lower crime rate in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Positive changes in overall safety.

Harlow Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Toddbrook (193 crimes), and the safest, Church Langley (18 crimes), is 175 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Harlow.

Similarly, the area of Passmores & The High (193 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Church Langley (18 crimes), with a difference of 175 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Harlow.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Toddbrook193
Little Parndon and Hare Street115
Mark Hall115
Netteswell91
Bush Fair90

Safest Wards:

Harlow Common74
Old Harlow71
Great Parndon37
Sumners and Kingsmoor32
Church Langley18

Most Dangerous Areas:

Passmores & The High193
Mark Hall & Templefields115
Little Parndon & Hare Street115
Bush Fair & Brays Grove95
Nettleswell91

Safest Areas:

Potter Street77
Old Harlow & Newhall71
Kingsmoor45
Great Parndon & Katherines21
Church Langley18

Harlow Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Harlow has recorded 918 crimes with crime rate of 9.84 ranking 86th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 7 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 2 in terms of crime rate in Essex.

In 2024, the total Harlow crimes were 10,933. The crime rate of Harlow in 2024 was 117.14 (year) or 9.76 (month) ranking it 84 danzarous in the UK. Harlow ranked 7 in terms of total crimes and 1 in terms of crime rate in Essex.

In 2023, the total crimes in Harlow were around 11,148 crimes with yearly crime rate of 119.45 (year) or 9.95 (month) ranking 66 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Essex, Harlow ranked 7 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 1 as per crime rate of Harlow

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Essex)CrimesRank (Essex)CrimesRank (Essex)
Maldon265 133,699 123,581 12
Rochford340 124,940 114,915 11
Uttlesford512 116,354 95,858 10
Castle Point489 105,871 106,160 9
Braintree931 911,752 811,413 8
Colchester1,616 818,598 416,595 7
Brentwood490 76,730 76,665 6
Chelmsford1,340 616,768 615,876 5
Epping Forest956 412,979 512,779 3
Tendring1,214 515,080 313,826 4
Basildon1,621 120,557 220,839 2

Harlow Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (358 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (98 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (335 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (103 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (369 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (88 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 291 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 72 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (322 reports) and Vehicle crime incidents were also notably high (73 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 315 incidents, and Vehicle crime was another prevalent crime category with 87 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (278 reports) and Vehicle crime incidents were also notably high (83 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (320 incidents), followed by Public order also remained a significant concern (73 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (336 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Public order (88 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (325 incidents) and then Criminal damage and arson showed a substantial number of incidents (82 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 355 incidents, and Criminal damage and arson was another prevalent crime category with 87 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 249 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 22.64 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 35 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202521
April 202512
March 202528
February 202520
January 202519
December 202424
November 202417
October 202418
September 202429
August 202426
July 202435

A total of 760 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 69.09 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 87 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202573
April 202575
March 202579
February 202555
January 202558
December 202474
November 202466
October 202465
September 202446
August 202482
July 202487

A total of 593 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 53.91 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 82 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202553
April 202535
March 202551
February 202541
January 202564
December 202448
November 202451
October 202456
September 202451
August 202461
July 202482

A total of 692 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 62.91 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 87 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202547
April 202543
March 202548
February 202547
January 202573
December 202487
November 202483
October 202463
September 202467
August 202466
July 202468

A total of 112 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 10.18 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 19 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202515
April 202519
March 20254
February 202511
January 20256
December 202410
November 20244
October 20248
September 202411
August 202411
July 202413

A total of 529 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 48.09 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 76 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202567
April 202551
March 202576
February 202547
January 202557
December 202446
November 202438
October 202428
September 202445
August 202442
July 202432

A total of 101 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 9.18 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 202510
March 202514
February 20257
January 20258
December 20247
November 202414
October 202413
September 20246
August 20245
July 202413

A total of 252 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 22.91 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 29 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202523
April 202525
March 202524
February 202529
January 202529
December 202418
November 202424
October 202429
September 202417
August 202420
July 202414

A total of 730 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 66.36 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 98 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202598
April 202563
March 202564
February 202555
January 202570
December 202452
November 202462
October 202471
September 202452
August 202475
July 202468

A total of 731 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 66.45 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 103 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202556
April 2025103
March 202588
February 202572
January 202568
December 202469
November 202461
October 202467
September 202444
August 202447
July 202456

A total of 754 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 68.55 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 88 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202579
April 202579
March 202573
February 202551
January 202558
December 202458
November 202476
October 202473
September 202488
August 202462
July 202457

A total of 83 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 8.30 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 15 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202515
April 20255
March 20256
February 20254
January 20255
November 202410
October 202410
September 20247
August 202413
July 20248

A total of 93 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 8.45 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20259
April 20255
March 20256
February 20256
January 202512
December 20247
November 20247
October 202414
September 20245
August 20249
July 202413

A total of 3604 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 327.64 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 369 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025358
April 2025335
March 2025369
February 2025291
January 2025322
December 2024315
November 2024278
October 2024320
September 2024336
August 2024325
July 2024355

High Crime Locations Harlow in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Harlow postcode area is presented below.

1. Police Station (Map)
Total22
Violence and sexual offences7
Drugs4
Public order3
Criminal damage and arson3
Vehicle crime1
Possession of weapons1
Other theft1
Other crime1
Burglary1
2. Hospital (Map)
Total22
Violence and sexual offences17
Drugs2
Bicycle theft2
Theft from the person1
3. Supermarket (Map)
Total15
Shoplifting9
Violence and sexual offences6
4. Appleton Close (Map)
Total14
Violence and sexual offences7
Public order4
Vehicle crime2
Anti-social behaviour1
5. Priory Court (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences7
Vehicle crime2
Criminal damage and arson2
Other theft1
6. Nightclub (Map)
Total11
Shoplifting8
Anti-social behaviour3

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.