Crime Rate in Watford: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Watford

The total recorded crimes in Watford, UK in July 2025 are around 1,840 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Watford crime rate of 18.00 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 Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (565) incidents (18.45% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (433) incidents (16.40% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (164) incidents (17.99% increase)
Watford Crime Hotspots

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

  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 66
  • New Road with total crimes: 60
  • Hospital with total crimes: 40

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 Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Central (957 crimes), and the safest, Nascot (34 crimes), is 923 crimes. This substantial difference indicates a significant disparity in safety across Watford.

Similarly, the area of Central Watford (957 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Nascot Wood (34 crimes), with a difference of 923 crimes. This substantial difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Watford.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Central957
Park145
Holywell127
Meriden119
Vicarage109

Safest Wards:

Callowland62
Oxhey55
Leggatts52
Tudor37
Nascot34

Most Dangerous Areas:

Central Watford957
Cassiobury145
Holywell127
Garston119
West Watford109

Safest Areas:

North Watford62
Oxhey55
Leggatts52
Tudor37
Nascot Wood34

Watford Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the Watford has recorded 1,840 crimes with crime rate of 18.00 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

CityJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Hertfordshire)CrimesRank (Hertfordshire)CrimesRank (Hertfordshire)
East Hertfordshire1,058 1012,506 810,090 10
North Hertfordshire846 910,643 108,958 9
Three Rivers642 87,740 96,661 8
St Albans1,187 712,706 710,594 7
Dacorum1,488 614,925 613,535 6
Broxbourne964 510,013 58,982 5
Stevenage973 410,077 38,588 4
Welwyn Hatfield1,142 312,535 411,723 3
Hertsmere1,059 212,327 210,983 2

Watford Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (427 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (302 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 414 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 210 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (415 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (241 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (370 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (288 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (365 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (245 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Anti-social behaviour (395 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (376 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 522 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 43.50 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 95 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202539
June 202549
May 202517
April 202522
March 202539
February 202537
January 202539
December 202414
November 202495
October 202480
September 202463
August 202428

A total of 929 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 77.42 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 104 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202594
June 202550
May 202560
April 202592
March 2025104
February 202547
January 202588
December 202478
November 202470
October 202498
September 202456
August 202492

A total of 2202 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 183.50 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 278 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025164
June 2025139
May 2025173
April 2025118
March 2025176
February 2025276
January 2025170
December 2024160
November 2024202
October 2024141
September 2024205
August 2024278

A total of 335 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 27.92 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 56 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202517
June 202536
May 20257
April 202518
March 202519
February 202525
January 202534
December 202456
November 202438
October 202437
September 202411
August 202437

A total of 1263 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 105.25 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 156 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025156
June 2025103
May 2025131
April 202599
March 2025103
February 202590
January 202588
December 202465
November 2024104
October 2024120
September 2024101
August 2024103

A total of 1038 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 86.50 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 125 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025109
June 202562
May 202585
April 202590
March 2025125
February 202566
January 202599
December 202472
November 202490
October 202498
September 202465
August 202477

A total of 5060 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 421.67 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 565 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025565
June 2025477
May 2025447
April 2025429
March 2025446
February 2025329
January 2025427
December 2024414
November 2024415
October 2024370
September 2024365
August 2024376

A total of 517 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 43.08 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 64 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202533
June 202521
May 202539
April 202530
March 202538
February 202543
January 202563
December 202464
November 202434
October 202449
September 202452
August 202451

A total of 295 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 24.58 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 57 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202557
June 202529
May 202521
April 202523
March 202541
February 202514
January 20256
December 20248
November 202410
October 202427
September 202424
August 202435

A total of 450 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 37.50 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 57 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202534
June 202557
May 202534
April 202542
March 202552
February 202540
January 202556
December 202439
November 202431
October 202420
September 202431
August 202414

A total of 195 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 16.25 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 31 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202510
June 202513
May 202512
April 202531
March 202522
February 20259
January 202517
December 202411
November 20248
October 202425
September 202420
August 202417

A total of 3629 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 302.42 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 433 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025433
June 2025372
May 2025327
April 2025251
March 2025316
February 2025249
January 2025302
December 2024210
November 2024241
October 2024288
September 2024245
August 2024395

A total of 1050 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 87.50 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 105 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025103
June 202587
May 202597
April 202562
March 2025105
February 202590
January 202599
December 202472
November 202487
October 202482
September 202471
August 202495

A total of 274 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 22.83 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 38 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202526
June 202522
May 202519
April 202532
March 202533
February 202518
January 202511
December 202422
November 202425
October 202438
September 20248
August 202420

High Crime Locations Watford in July 2025

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

1. Shopping Area (Map)
Total66
Other theft24
Shoplifting12
Violence and sexual offences6
Theft from the person6
Drugs6
Criminal damage and arson6
Anti-social behaviour6
2. New Road (Map)
Total60
Anti-social behaviour24
Bicycle theft12
Violence and sexual offences6
Theft from the person6
Shoplifting6
Public order6
3. Hospital (Map)
Total40
Violence and sexual offences14
Public order11
Criminal damage and arson7
Anti-social behaviour4
Other theft3
Theft from the person1
4. St. Marys View (Map)
Total39
Anti-social behaviour15
Violence and sexual offences12
Public order6
Burglary3
Bicycle theft3
5. Shopping Area (Map)
Total36
Violence and sexual offences12
Shoplifting12
Theft from the person6
Other theft6
6. Parking Area (Map)
Total36
Shoplifting18
Robbery6
Criminal damage and arson6
Anti-social behaviour6

  • 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.