Crime Rate in Central: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Central

The total recorded crimes in Central, Watford, UK in July 2025 are around 957 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Central crime rate of 1.00 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 Central, encompassing approximately 958,037 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (270) incidents (37.76% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (217) incidents (11.86% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (132) incidents (23.36% increase)
Central 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
  • St. Marys View with total crimes: 39

How safe is Central?

To understand the safety of Central, we need to analyze Central crime statistics in relation to regional averages. Lets examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to Watford:

    • In 2024, Central reported a higher crime volume than the Watford average, with 10,611 crimes compared to 1,602. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Furthermore, Central witnessed more crimes than 11 out of 11 other areas in the Watford.

    • In 2023, Central experienced a greater number of crimes than the Watford average, with 10,163 crimes compared to 1,447. This indicates a higher crime burden for the area in the region during this period. Furthermore, Central witnessed more crimes than 11 out of 11 other areas in the Watford.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Watford, Central has a higher crime rate and is considered more dangerous in 2024.

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

Central Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the Central has recorded 957 crimes with crime rate of 0.06 ranking 1th out of 11 in the Watford, UK

In 2024, the total Central crimes were 10,611. The crime rate of Central in 2024 was 28.76 (year) or 2.40 (month) ranking it 1 dangerous area in the Watford.

In 2023, the total crimes in Central were around 10,163 crimes with yearly crime rate of 24.92 (year) or 2.08 (month) ranking 1 most dangerous area in the Watford.

AreaJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Central)CrimesRank (Central)CrimesRank (Central)
Park145 21,313 21,126 2
Woodside74 6803 7823 3
Holywell127 31,198 3786 5
Vicarage109 51,051 4802 4
Meriden119 4904 5753 6
Callowland62 8833 6670 7
Stanborough69 7443 12426 11
Oxhey55 9514 9488 8
Leggatts52 10615 8467 10
Tudor37 11476 10477 9
Nascot34 12465 11381 12

Central 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 270 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 217 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (196 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (194 cases).

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (215 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (180 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (206 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (100 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (197 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (191 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Shoplifting saw the largest number of reported crimes with 246 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 150 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (214 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (196 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 206 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 139 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (169 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (166 cases).

In October 2024, Anti-social behaviour dominated crime reports (155 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (143 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 131 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 13.10 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 36 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202536
June 202521
May 202514
April 202511
March 202516
February 20257
January 20251
December 20244
November 20242
October 202419

A total of 494 Other theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 49.40 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 87 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202587
June 202544
May 202560
April 202555
March 202531
February 202546
January 202517
December 202422
November 202456
October 202476

A total of 1617 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 161.70 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 217 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025217
June 2025194
May 2025180
April 2025100
March 2025191
February 2025150
January 2025196
December 2024105
November 2024129
October 2024155

A total of 102 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 10.20 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20257
June 20258
May 20257
April 202521
March 202517
February 20253
January 202512
December 20243
November 20242
October 202422

A total of 1952 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 195.20 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 270 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025270
June 2025196
May 2025215
April 2025206
March 2025197
February 2025136
January 2025214
December 2024206
November 2024169
October 2024143

A total of 505 Public order incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 50.50 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 65 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202543
June 202544
May 202565
April 202536
March 202555
February 202557
January 202559
December 202435
November 202461
October 202450

A total of 192 Burglary incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 19.20 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 34 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202514
June 20257
May 202517
April 202512
March 202522
February 202521
January 202534
December 202433
November 202410
October 202422

A total of 363 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 36.30 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 50 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202550
June 202518
May 202532
April 202548
March 202547
February 202523
January 202531
December 202437
November 202444
October 202433

A total of 273 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 27.30 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 68 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202522
June 202525
May 202519
April 202532
March 202568
February 202513
January 202521
December 202417
November 202429
October 202427

A total of 1417 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 141.70 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 246 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025132
June 2025107
May 2025135
April 202590
March 2025150
February 2025246
January 2025150
December 2024139
November 2024166
October 2024102

A total of 382 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 38.20 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 91 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202533
June 202545
May 202510
April 202522
March 202534
February 202533
January 202533
December 202412
November 202491
October 202469

A total of 238 Drugs incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 23.80 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 43 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202517
June 202543
May 202527
April 202536
March 202519
February 202524
January 202537
December 202417
November 202413
October 20245

A total of 203 Robbery incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 20.30 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 45 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202513
June 202525
May 20254
April 20256
March 202514
February 202517
January 202530
December 202445
November 202422
October 202427

A total of 122 Other crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 13.56 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202516
June 202514
May 202515
April 202520
March 202510
February 20259
December 20249
November 202412
October 202417

High Crime Locations Central in July 2025

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

1. Shopping Area (Map)
Total66
Other theft24
Shoplifting12
Anti-social behaviour6
Criminal damage and arson6
Drugs6
Theft from the person6
Violence and sexual offences6
2. New Road (Map)
Total60
Anti-social behaviour24
Bicycle theft12
Public order6
Shoplifting6
Theft from the person6
Violence and sexual offences6
3. St. Marys View (Map)
Total39
Anti-social behaviour15
Violence and sexual offences12
Public order6
Bicycle theft3
Burglary3
4. Shopping Area (Map)
Total36
Shoplifting12
Violence and sexual offences12
Other theft6
Theft from the person6
5. Parking Area (Map)
Total36
Shoplifting18
Anti-social behaviour6
Criminal damage and arson6
Robbery6
6. Local Board Road (Map)
Total33
Public order9
Anti-social behaviour6
Violence and sexual offences6
Criminal damage and arson3
Other crime3
Shoplifting3
Vehicle crime3
7. New Street (Map)
Total30
Anti-social behaviour12
Criminal damage and arson6
Violence and sexual offences6
Public order3
Shoplifting3
8. Parking Area (Map)
Total30
Other theft12
Shoplifting12
Theft from the person6
9. Shopping Area (Map)
Total30
Shoplifting27
Violence and sexual offences3
10. Merton Road (Map)
Total24
Violence and sexual offences15
Anti-social behaviour9

  • 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.