Crime Rate in Watford: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Watford

The total recorded crimes in Watford, Watford in January 2025 are around 1,499 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Watford crime rate of 14.66 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 Jan were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (427) incidents (3.14% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (302) incidents (43.81% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (170) incidents (6.25% increase)
Watford Crime Hotspots

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

  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 78
  • Beechen Grove with total crimes: 66
  • New Road with total crimes: 54

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 (835 crimes), and the safest, Tudor (25 crimes), is 810 crimes. This substantial difference indicates a significant disparity in safety across Watford.

Similarly, the area of Central Watford (835 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Tudor (25 crimes), with a difference of 810 crimes. This substantial difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Watford.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Central835
Holywell106
Vicarage84
Park74
Meriden72

Safest Wards:

Leggatts56
Stanborough50
Oxhey47
Nascot28
Tudor25

Most Dangerous Areas:

Central Watford835
Holywell106
West Watford84
Cassiobury74
Garston72

Safest Areas:

Leggatts56
Stanborough50
Oxhey47
Nascot Wood28
Tudor25

Watford Crime Statstics

In January 2025 the Watford has recorded 1,499 crimes with crime rate of 14.66 ranking 11th 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

CityJanuary 202520242023
CrimesRank (Hertfordshire)CrimesRank (Hertfordshire)CrimesRank (Hertfordshire)
East Hertfordshire832 1012,506 810,090 10
North Hertfordshire750 910,643 108,958 9
Three Rivers583 87,740 96,661 8
St Albans957 712,706 710,594 7
Dacorum1,122 514,925 613,535 6
Broxbourne705 610,013 58,982 5
Stevenage749 310,077 38,588 4
Welwyn Hatfield955 412,535 411,723 3
Hertsmere992 212,327 210,983 2

Watford Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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 757 Public order incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 94.62 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 176 reported cases.

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

A total of 186 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 23.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 42 reported cases.

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

A total of 175 Other crime incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 21.88 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 38 reported cases.

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

A total of 388 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 48.50 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 95 reported cases.

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

A total of 426 Burglary incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 53.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 74 reported cases.

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

A total of 3571 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 446.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 822 reported cases.

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

A total of 887 Other theft incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 110.88 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 204 reported cases.

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

A total of 163 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 20.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 56 reported cases.

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

A total of 371 Robbery incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 46.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 116 reported cases.

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

A total of 306 Drugs incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 38.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 80 reported cases.

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

A total of 849 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 106.12 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 280 reported cases.

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

A total of 2682 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 335.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 668 reported cases.

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

A total of 1683 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 210.38 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 278 reported cases.

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

A total of 770 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 96.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 172 reported cases.

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

High Crime Locations Watford in January 2025

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

1. Shopping Area (Map)
Total78
Shoplifting42
Violence and sexual offences12
Public order12
Theft from the person6
Possession of weapons6
2. Beechen Grove (Map)
Total66
Anti-social behaviour36
Drugs12
Violence and sexual offences6
Criminal damage and arson6
Burglary6
3. New Road (Map)
Total54
Violence and sexual offences24
Theft from the person6
Shoplifting6
Robbery6
Possession of weapons6
Anti-social behaviour6
4. Shopping Area (Map)
Total48
Shoplifting24
Violence and sexual offences6
Theft from the person6
Drugs6
Anti-social behaviour6
5. Lower Derby Road (Map)
Total42
Anti-social behaviour18
Violence and sexual offences6
Vehicle crime6
Drugs6
Criminal damage and arson6
6. Parking Area (Map)
Total36
Shoplifting18
Theft from the person6
Public order6
Burglary6

  • 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.