Crime Rate in Central: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Central

The total recorded crimes in Central, Watford, UK in January 2026 are around 790 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Central crime rate of 0.82 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 Jan were:

  • Shoplifting: (194) incidents (7.18% increase)
  • Violence and sexual offences: (133) incidents (-21.30% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (126) incidents (68.00% increase)
Central Crime Hotspots

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

  • Parking Area with total crimes: 90
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 72
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 48

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 January 2026 the Central has recorded 790 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.

AreaJanuary 202620242023
CrimesRank (Central)CrimesRank (Central)CrimesRank (Central)
Park74 51,313 21,126 2
Holywell84 21,198 3786 5
Woodside63 6803 7823 3
Callowland82 3833 6670 7
Vicarage79 41,051 4802 4
Meriden62 7904 5753 6
Oxhey40 9514 9488 8
Leggatts59 8615 8467 10
Tudor28 11476 10477 9
Stanborough30 10443 12426 11
Nascot25 12465 11381 12

Central Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

During January 2026, The highest incident rate was for Shoplifting (194 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (133 cases).

December 2025 crime data shows Shoplifting saw the largest number of reported crimes with 181 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 169 incidents.

During November 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (215 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (173 cases).

In October 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (172 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (155 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (216 incidents) were the most common in September 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (133 incidents) also being high.

For August 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (291 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (173 incidents).

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.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 2416 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 201.33 incidents per month. August 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 291 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026133
December 2025169
November 2025215
October 2025172
September 2025216
August 2025291
July 2025270
June 2025196
May 2025215
April 2025206
March 2025197
February 2025136

A total of 545 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 45.42 incidents per month. October 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 74 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202633
December 202547
November 202544
October 202574
September 202555
August 202574
July 202550
June 202518
May 202532
April 202548
March 202547
February 202523

A total of 369 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 30.75 incidents per month. January 2026 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 61 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202661
December 202518
November 202534
October 202538
September 202531
August 202521
July 202517
June 202543
May 202527
April 202536
March 202519
February 202524

A total of 115 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 9.58 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 21 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202616
December 20252
November 202510
October 202515
September 20252
August 20257
July 20257
June 20258
May 20257
April 202521
March 202517
February 20253

A total of 666 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 55.50 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 87 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202666
December 202551
November 202526
October 202571
September 202566
August 202563
July 202587
June 202544
May 202560
April 202555
March 202531
February 202546

A total of 603 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 50.25 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 65 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202643
December 202533
November 202554
October 202559
September 202555
August 202559
July 202543
June 202544
May 202565
April 202536
March 202555
February 202557

A total of 320 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 26.67 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 68 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202621
December 202533
November 202514
October 202516
September 202516
August 202541
July 202522
June 202525
May 202519
April 202532
March 202568
February 202513

A total of 1763 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 146.92 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 217 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026126
December 202575
November 2025143
October 2025155
September 2025103
August 2025129
July 2025217
June 2025194
May 2025180
April 2025100
March 2025191
February 2025150

A total of 213 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 17.75 incidents per month. September 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 31 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202620
December 202518
November 20256
October 202518
September 202531
August 202527
July 202514
June 20257
May 202517
April 202512
March 202522
February 202521

A total of 118 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 9.83 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202613
December 20252
November 20251
October 20252
September 202513
August 20253
July 202516
June 202514
May 202515
April 202520
March 202510
February 20259

A total of 211 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 17.58 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 36 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202627
December 202528
November 202514
October 20253
September 202521
August 202513
July 202536
June 202521
May 202514
April 202511
March 202516
February 20257

A total of 1865 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 155.42 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 246 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026194
December 2025181
November 2025173
October 2025151
September 2025133
August 2025173
July 2025132
June 2025107
May 2025135
April 202590
March 2025150
February 2025246

A total of 400 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 33.33 incidents per month. October 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 54 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202617
December 202546
November 202546
October 202554
September 202529
August 202531
July 202533
June 202545
May 202510
April 202522
March 202534
February 202533

A total of 164 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 13.67 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 25 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202620
December 202520
November 202516
October 202514
September 202510
August 20255
July 202513
June 202525
May 20254
April 20256
March 202514
February 202517

High Crime Locations Central in January 2026

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

1. Parking Area (Map)
Total90
Shoplifting66
Anti-social behaviour12
Drugs6
Possession of weapons6
2. Shopping Area (Map)
Total72
Shoplifting24
Other theft18
Anti-social behaviour12
Burglary6
Criminal damage and arson6
Public order6
3. Shopping Area (Map)
Total48
Shoplifting30
Bicycle theft12
Violence and sexual offences6
4. High Street (Map)
Total42
Shoplifting15
Theft from the person9
Violence and sexual offences9
Burglary3
Criminal damage and arson3
Drugs3
5. Lower Derby Road (Map)
Total42
Drugs24
Bicycle theft6
Public order6
Violence and sexual offences6
6. New Road (Map)
Total36
Shoplifting18
Anti-social behaviour6
Other crime6
Violence and sexual offences6
7. Parking Area (Map)
Total24
Anti-social behaviour24
8. Nightclub (Map)
Total21
Public order6
Anti-social behaviour3
Burglary3
Drugs3
Other crime3
Violence and sexual offences3
9. Local Board Road (Map)
Total21
Other theft9
Anti-social behaviour6
Robbery6
10. St. Marys View (Map)
Total18
Violence and sexual offences15
Other theft3

  • 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.