Crime Rate in Watford: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Watford

The total recorded crimes in Watford, UK in March 2025 are around 1,619 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Watford crime rate of 15.83 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 Mar were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (446) incidents (35.56% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (316) incidents (26.91% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (176) incidents (-36.23% decrease)
Watford Crime Hotspots

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

  • Parking Area with total crimes: 84
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 48
  • Trinity Hall Close with total crimes: 42

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 (871 crimes), and the safest, Nascot (30 crimes), is 841 crimes. This substantial difference indicates a significant disparity in safety across Watford.

Similarly, the area of Central Watford (871 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Nascot Wood (30 crimes), with a difference of 841 crimes. This substantial difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Watford.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Central871
Park120
Holywell108
Meriden103
Callowland88

Safest Wards:

Tudor48
Leggatts47
Stanborough40
Oxhey33
Nascot30

Most Dangerous Areas:

Central Watford871
Cassiobury120
Holywell108
Garston103
North Watford88

Safest Areas:

Tudor48
Leggatts47
Stanborough40
Oxhey33
Nascot Wood30

Watford Crime Statstics

In March 2025 the Watford has recorded 1,619 crimes with crime rate of 15.83 ranking 6446th 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

CityMarch 202520242023
CrimesRank (Hertfordshire)CrimesRank (Hertfordshire)CrimesRank (Hertfordshire)
East Hertfordshire916 1012,506 810,090 10
North Hertfordshire802 910,643 108,958 9
Three Rivers564 87,740 96,661 8
St Albans941 712,706 710,594 7
Dacorum1,419 614,925 613,535 6
Broxbourne737 510,013 58,982 5
Stevenage890 410,077 38,588 4
Welwyn Hatfield1,045 312,535 411,723 3
Hertsmere1,068 212,327 210,983 2

Watford Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 382 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 333 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (822 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (668 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1000 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 100.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 280 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025104
February 202547
January 202588
December 202478
November 202470
October 202498
September 202456
August 202492
July 202487
June 2024280

A total of 4346 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 434.60 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 822 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025446
February 2025329
January 2025427
December 2024414
November 2024415
October 2024370
September 2024365
August 2024376
July 2024382
June 2024822

A total of 507 Burglary incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 50.70 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 74 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202538
February 202543
January 202563
December 202464
November 202434
October 202449
September 202452
August 202451
July 202439
June 202474

A total of 241 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 24.10 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 42 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202541
February 202514
January 20256
December 20248
November 202410
October 202427
September 202424
August 202435
July 202434
June 202442

A total of 3247 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 324.70 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 668 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025316
February 2025249
January 2025302
December 2024210
November 2024241
October 2024288
September 2024245
August 2024395
July 2024333
June 2024668

A total of 194 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 19.40 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 56 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202522
February 20259
January 202517
December 202411
November 20248
October 202425
September 202420
August 202417
July 20249
June 202456

A total of 2135 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 213.50 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 278 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025176
February 2025276
January 2025170
December 2024160
November 2024202
October 2024141
September 2024205
August 2024278
July 2024251
June 2024276

A total of 1080 Other theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 108.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 204 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025103
February 202590
January 202588
December 202465
November 2024104
October 2024120
September 2024101
August 2024103
July 2024102
June 2024204

A total of 464 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 46.40 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 95 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202539
February 202537
January 202539
December 202414
November 202495
October 202480
September 202463
August 202428
July 202431
June 202438

A total of 952 Public order incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 95.20 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 176 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025105
February 202590
January 202599
December 202472
November 202487
October 202482
September 202471
August 202495
July 202475
June 2024176

A total of 415 Robbery incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 41.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 116 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202519
February 202525
January 202534
December 202456
November 202438
October 202437
September 202411
August 202437
July 202442
June 2024116

A total of 226 Other crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 22.60 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 38 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202533
February 202518
January 202511
December 202422
November 202425
October 202438
September 20248
August 202420
July 202413
June 202438

A total of 398 Drugs incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 39.80 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 80 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202552
February 202540
January 202556
December 202439
November 202431
October 202420
September 202431
August 202414
July 202435
June 202480

A total of 961 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 96.10 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 172 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025125
February 202566
January 202599
December 202472
November 202490
October 202498
September 202465
August 202477
July 202497
June 2024172

High Crime Locations Watford in March 2025

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

1. Parking Area (Map)
Total84
Shoplifting60
Violence and sexual offences6
Public order6
Other theft6
Anti-social behaviour6
2. Shopping Area (Map)
Total48
Violence and sexual offences12
Theft from the person12
Shoplifting12
Criminal damage and arson6
Anti-social behaviour6
3. Trinity Hall Close (Map)
Total42
Violence and sexual offences18
Anti-social behaviour12
Possession of weapons6
Criminal damage and arson6
4. Parking Area (Map)
Total39
Violence and sexual offences9
Bicycle theft9
Public order6
Other crime6
Possession of weapons3
Other theft3
Drugs3
5. Raphael Drive (Map)
Total36
Violence and sexual offences18
Anti-social behaviour12
Vehicle crime6
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total35
Other theft29
Shoplifting5
Bicycle theft1

  • 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.