Crime Rate in Watford: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Watford

The total recorded crimes in Watford, UK in May 2025 are around 1,469 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Watford crime rate of 14.37 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 May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (447) incidents (4.20% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (327) incidents (30.28% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (173) incidents (46.61% increase)
Watford Crime Hotspots

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

  • New Road with total crimes: 60
  • Shopping Area 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 Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Central (800 crimes), and the safest, Oxhey (31 crimes), is 769 crimes. This substantial difference indicates a significant disparity in safety across Watford.

Similarly, the area of Central Watford (800 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Oxhey (31 crimes), with a difference of 769 crimes. This substantial difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Watford.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Central800
Holywell102
Vicarage89
Park79
Woodside73

Safest Wards:

Leggatts54
Nascot39
Stanborough32
Tudor31
Oxhey31

Most Dangerous Areas:

Central Watford800
Holywell102
West Watford89
Cassiobury79
Woodside & Leavesden Green73

Safest Areas:

Leggatts54
Nascot Wood39
Stanborough32
Tudor31
Oxhey31

Watford Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Watford has recorded 1,469 crimes with crime rate of 14.37 ranking 16th 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

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Hertfordshire)CrimesRank (Hertfordshire)CrimesRank (Hertfordshire)
East Hertfordshire950 1012,506 810,090 10
North Hertfordshire815 910,643 108,958 9
Three Rivers607 87,740 96,661 8
St Albans1,027 712,706 710,594 7
Dacorum1,270 614,925 613,535 6
Broxbourne733 510,013 58,982 5
Stevenage867 410,077 38,588 4
Welwyn Hatfield1,168 312,535 411,723 3
Hertsmere1,070 212,327 210,983 2

Watford Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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).

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.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 324 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 29.45 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 56 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20257
April 202518
March 202519
February 202525
January 202534
December 202456
November 202438
October 202437
September 202411
August 202437
July 202442

A total of 964 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 87.64 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 125 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202585
April 202590
March 2025125
February 202566
January 202599
December 202472
November 202490
October 202498
September 202465
August 202477
July 202497

A total of 935 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 85.00 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 105 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202597
April 202562
March 2025105
February 202590
January 202599
December 202472
November 202487
October 202482
September 202471
August 202495
July 202475

A total of 3157 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 287.00 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 395 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025327
April 2025251
March 2025316
February 2025249
January 2025302
December 2024210
November 2024241
October 2024288
September 2024245
August 2024395
July 2024333

A total of 2150 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 195.45 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 278 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025173
April 2025118
March 2025176
February 2025276
January 2025170
December 2024160
November 2024202
October 2024141
September 2024205
August 2024278
July 2024251

A total of 465 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 42.27 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 95 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202517
April 202522
March 202539
February 202537
January 202539
December 202414
November 202495
October 202480
September 202463
August 202428
July 202431

A total of 239 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 21.73 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 38 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202519
April 202532
March 202533
February 202518
January 202511
December 202422
November 202425
October 202438
September 20248
August 202420
July 202413

A total of 181 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 16.45 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 31 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202512
April 202531
March 202522
February 20259
January 202517
December 202411
November 20248
October 202425
September 202420
August 202417
July 20249

A total of 872 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 79.27 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 104 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202560
April 202592
March 2025104
February 202547
January 202588
December 202478
November 202470
October 202498
September 202456
August 202492
July 202487

A total of 394 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 35.82 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 56 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202534
April 202542
March 202552
February 202540
January 202556
December 202439
November 202431
October 202420
September 202431
August 202414
July 202435

A total of 502 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 45.64 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 64 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202539
April 202530
March 202538
February 202543
January 202563
December 202464
November 202434
October 202449
September 202452
August 202451
July 202439

A total of 4400 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 400.00 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 447 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025447
April 2025429
March 2025446
February 2025329
January 2025427
December 2024414
November 2024415
October 2024370
September 2024365
August 2024376
July 2024382

A total of 243 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 22.09 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 41 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202521
April 202523
March 202541
February 202514
January 20256
December 20248
November 202410
October 202427
September 202424
August 202435
July 202434

A total of 1106 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 100.55 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 131 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025131
April 202599
March 2025103
February 202590
January 202588
December 202465
November 2024104
October 2024120
September 2024101
August 2024103
July 2024102

High Crime Locations Watford in May 2025

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

1. New Road (Map)
Total60
Violence and sexual offences30
Shoplifting18
Criminal damage and arson12
2. Shopping Area (Map)
Total54
Shoplifting24
Violence and sexual offences6
Theft from the person6
Public order6
Bicycle theft6
Anti-social behaviour6
3. Parking Area (Map)
Total48
Shoplifting18
Other theft18
Violence and sexual offences6
Other crime6
4. Local Board Road (Map)
Total45
Violence and sexual offences12
Shoplifting12
Anti-social behaviour9
Other theft6
Vehicle crime3
Public order3
5. Shopping Area (Map)
Total36
Shoplifting18
Anti-social behaviour12
Violence and sexual offences6
6. Parking Area (Map)
Total30
Shoplifting18
Public order6
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.