Crime Rate in Watford: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Watford

The total recorded crimes in Watford, UK in February 2026 are around 1,409 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Watford crime rate of 13.78 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 Watford, encompassing approximately 102,245 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Feb were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (450) incidents (19.36% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (236) incidents (1.29% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (187) incidents (-13.82% decrease)
Watford Crime Hotspots

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

  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 90
  • New Road with total crimes: 54
  • Parking Area with total crimes: 48

Watford Police Info:

Hertfordshire Constabulary

How safe is Watford?

To understand the safety of Watford, we need to analyze Watford 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:

    • Watford has recorded 19,226 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 188.04 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 11 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 17,362 crimes with a crime rate of 169.81, ranking it 14 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Hertfordshire:

    • In 2024, Watford reported a higher crime volume than the Hertfordshire average, with 19,226 crimes compared to 12,270. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, Watford recorded fewer crimes than 9 out of 9 other cities.

    • In 2023, Watford experienced a greater number of crimes than the Hertfordshire average, with 17,362 crimes compared to 10,748. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, Watford recorded fewer crimes than 9 out of 9 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

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

    • Compared to other cities in Hertfordshire, Watford has a higher crime rate in 2024.

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

Watford Crime Statstics

In February 2026 the Watford has recorded 1,409 crimes with crime rate of 13.78 ranking 8th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 1 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 1 in terms of crime rate in Hertfordshire.

In 2024, the total Watford crimes were 19,226. The crime rate of Watford in 2024 was 188.04 (year) or 15.67 (month) ranking it 11 danzarous in the UK. Watford ranked 1 in terms of total crimes and 1 in terms of crime rate in Hertfordshire.

In 2023, the total crimes in Watford were around 17,362 crimes with yearly crime rate of 169.81 (year) or 14.15 (month) ranking 14 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Hertfordshire, Watford ranked 1 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 1 as per crime rate of Watford

CityFebruary 202620242023
CrimesRank (Hertfordshire)CrimesRank (Hertfordshire)CrimesRank (Hertfordshire)
East Hertfordshire873 1012,506 810,090 10
North Hertfordshire674 910,643 108,958 9
Three Rivers504 87,740 96,661 8
St Albans858 712,706 710,594 7
Dacorum1,037 614,925 613,535 6
Broxbourne705 510,013 58,982 5
Stevenage812 410,077 38,588 4
Welwyn Hatfield828 312,535 411,723 3
Hertsmere758 212,327 210,983 2

Watford Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

February 2026 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 450 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 236 incidents.

During January 2026, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (377 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (233 cases).

December 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 419 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 208 incidents.

During November 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (451 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (254 cases).

In October 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (438 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (286 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (489 incidents) were the most common in September 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (224 incidents) also being high.

For August 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (557 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (267 incidents).

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 565 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 433 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (477 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (372 cases).

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (447 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (327 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (429 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (251 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (446 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (316 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 329 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 276 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 3635 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 279.62 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 433 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026236
January 2026233
December 2025187
November 2025254
October 2025286
September 2025224
August 2025267
July 2025433
June 2025372
May 2025327
April 2025251
March 2025316
February 2025249

A total of 265 Robbery incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 20.38 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 36 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202618
January 202625
December 202531
November 202523
October 202518
September 202518
August 202510
July 202517
June 202536
May 20257
April 202518
March 202519
February 202525

A total of 497 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 38.23 incidents per month. December 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 66 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202630
January 202620
December 202566
November 202550
October 202559
September 202533
August 202536
July 202539
June 202549
May 202517
April 202522
March 202539
February 202537

A total of 1168 Public order incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 89.85 incidents per month. September 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 111 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202684
January 202662
December 202561
November 2025100
October 2025106
September 2025111
August 2025100
July 2025103
June 202587
May 202597
April 202562
March 2025105
February 202590

A total of 884 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 68.00 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 104 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202671
January 202649
December 202571
November 202557
October 202540
September 202555
August 202594
July 202594
June 202550
May 202560
April 202592
March 2025104
February 202547

A total of 5874 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 451.85 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 565 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026450
January 2026377
December 2025419
November 2025451
October 2025438
September 2025489
August 2025557
July 2025565
June 2025477
May 2025447
April 2025429
March 2025446
February 2025329

A total of 2389 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 183.77 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 276 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 2026187
January 2026217
December 2025208
November 2025188
October 2025183
September 2025158
August 2025202
July 2025164
June 2025139
May 2025173
April 2025118
March 2025176
February 2025276

A total of 192 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 14.77 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 31 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 20268
January 202617
December 20259
November 202516
October 202520
September 202511
August 202514
July 202510
June 202513
May 202512
April 202531
March 202522
February 20259

A total of 1474 Other theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 113.38 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 156 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202696
January 2026121
December 2025113
November 202577
October 2025136
September 2025115
August 2025134
July 2025156
June 2025103
May 2025131
April 202599
March 2025103
February 202590

A total of 283 Other crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 21.77 incidents per month. February 2026 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 37 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202637
January 202623
December 202515
November 202511
October 20258
September 202520
August 202519
July 202526
June 202522
May 202519
April 202532
March 202533
February 202518

A total of 718 Drugs incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 55.23 incidents per month. January 2026 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 97 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202669
January 202697
December 202569
November 202563
October 202559
September 202560
August 202542
July 202534
June 202557
May 202534
April 202542
March 202552
February 202540

A total of 1188 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 91.38 incidents per month. October 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 138 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202655
January 202677
December 202581
November 202575
October 2025138
September 202599
August 2025126
July 2025109
June 202562
May 202585
April 202590
March 2025125
February 202566

A total of 504 Burglary incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 38.77 incidents per month. January 2026 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 55 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202649
January 202655
December 202537
November 202527
October 202541
September 202541
August 202550
July 202533
June 202521
May 202539
April 202530
March 202538
February 202543

A total of 364 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 28.00 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 57 reported cases.

MonthCount
February 202619
January 202643
December 202532
November 202519
October 202514
September 202530
August 202522
July 202557
June 202529
May 202521
April 202523
March 202541
February 202514

High Crime Locations Watford in February 2026

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

1. Shopping Area (Map)
Total90
Shoplifting54
Violence and sexual offences30
Drugs6
2. New Road (Map)
Total54
Anti-social behaviour18
Shoplifting12
Violence and sexual offences6
Robbery6
Public order6
Drugs6
3. Parking Area (Map)
Total48
Anti-social behaviour12
Violence and sexual offences6
Theft from the person6
Shoplifting6
Other theft6
Criminal damage and arson6
Burglary6
4. Parking Area (Map)
Total42
Violence and sexual offences18
Shoplifting6
Robbery6
Drugs6
Bicycle theft6
5. Hospital (Map)
Total27
Violence and sexual offences14
Public order6
Other theft5
Shoplifting1
Criminal damage and arson1
6. Beechen Grove (Map)
Total24
Violence and sexual offences18
Other crime6

  • 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.