Crime Rate in Handside: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Handside

The total recorded crimes in Handside, Welwyn Hatfield, UK in July 2025 are around 106 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Handside crime rate of 7.96 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 Handside, encompassing approximately 13,319 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (30) incidents (-23.08% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (26) incidents (44.44% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (23) incidents (0.00% decrease)
Handside Crime Hotspots

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

  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 18
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 16
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 9

How safe is Handside?

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

  • Relative to Welwyn Hatfield:

    • In 2024, Handside reported a higher crime volume than the Welwyn Hatfield average, with 1,384 crimes compared to 783. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Furthermore, Handside witnessed more crimes than 13 out of 15 other areas in the Welwyn Hatfield.

    • In 2023, Handside experienced a greater number of crimes than the Welwyn Hatfield average, with 1,575 crimes compared to 733. This indicates a higher crime burden for the area in the region during this period. Furthermore, Handside witnessed more crimes than 14 out of 15 other areas in the Welwyn Hatfield.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Welwyn Hatfield, Handside has a higher crime rate and is considered more dangerous in 2024.

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

Handside Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the Handside has recorded 106 crimes with crime rate of 7.96 ranking 4th out of 15 in the Welwyn Hatfield, UK

In 2024, the total Handside crimes were 1,384. The crime rate of Handside in 2024 was 103.91 (year) or 8.66 (month) ranking it 3 dangerous area in the Welwyn Hatfield.

In 2023, the total crimes in Handside were around 1,575 crimes with yearly crime rate of 118.25 (year) or 9.85 (month) ranking 2 most dangerous area in the Welwyn Hatfield.

AreaJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Handside)CrimesRank (Handside)CrimesRank (Handside)
Hatfield Central198 11,951 11,779 1
Hatfield Villages117 21,385 21,128 3
Hatfield South West112 31,076 4924 4
Peartree81 5950 5879 5
Hatfield East60 8860 7837 6
Howlands64 7904 6832 7
Welham Green and Hatfield South79 6584 9493 10
Haldens57 9579 10645 8
Hollybush42 13686 8595 9
Welwyn West51 10428 12378 12
Brookmans Park and Little Heath43 11492 11417 11
Panshanger43 12316 15310 14
Sherrards30 15319 14358 13
Welwyn East31 14372 13306 15
Northaw and Cuffley28 16249 16267 16

Handside 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 30 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 26 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (39 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (23 cases).

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (37 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (31 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Shoplifting were the most frequent (50 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (14 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Shoplifting (31 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (27 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Shoplifting saw the largest number of reported crimes with 31 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 29 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Shoplifting (32 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (22 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Shoplifting saw the largest number of reported crimes with 28 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 22 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Shoplifting (31 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (18 cases).

In October 2024, Shoplifting dominated crime reports (39 incidents), followed by Violence and sexual offences also remained a significant concern (30 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (33 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (29 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Shoplifting (38 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (26 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 61 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.08 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 11 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20252
June 20255
May 20255
April 20252
March 20252
February 20258
January 20254
December 20246
November 20247
October 202411
September 20243
August 20246

A total of 318 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 26.50 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 39 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202530
June 202539
May 202537
April 202512
March 202527
February 202529
January 202522
December 202421
November 202416
October 202430
September 202433
August 202422

A total of 217 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 18.08 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202523
June 202523
May 202516
April 202514
March 202517
February 202513
January 202514
December 202422
November 202418
October 202419
September 202412
August 202426

A total of 20 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.22 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20253
June 20251
May 20251
March 20253
February 20251
January 20252
December 20245
September 20243
August 20241

A total of 384 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 32.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 50 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202526
June 202518
May 202531
April 202550
March 202531
February 202531
January 202532
December 202428
November 202431
October 202439
September 202429
August 202438

A total of 21 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.33 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
June 20256
May 20251
April 20252
March 20251
February 20251
January 20254
October 20242
September 20243

A total of 72 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 6.00 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 13 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20257
June 20256
May 20255
April 20252
March 20256
February 20252
January 20256
December 202413
November 20244
October 20246
September 20244
August 202411

A total of 63 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.25 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20257
June 20259
May 202510
April 20257
March 20252
February 20256
January 20255
December 20246
November 20243
October 20241
September 20243
August 20244

A total of 31 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.10 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20253
June 20257
May 20253
April 20256
March 20251
January 20253
December 20241
November 20241
October 20243
August 20243

A total of 22 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.20 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20253
June 20253
May 20254
April 20252
February 20253
January 20251
December 20241
November 20242
October 20241
August 20242

A total of 13 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.44 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
June 20252
May 20251
April 20251
February 20251
December 20242
November 20242
October 20242
August 20241

A total of 34 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.40 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
June 20251
May 20256
April 20251
March 20252
January 20251
December 20242
November 20243
October 20245
September 20247
August 20246

A total of 17 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.12 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20253
March 20251
February 20251
January 20251
December 20242
October 20244
September 20244
August 20241

A total of 6 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.50 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20252
October 20241
September 20241
August 20242

High Crime Locations Handside in July 2025

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

1. Shopping Area (Map)
Total18
Anti-social behaviour5
Violence and sexual offences4
Other theft3
Shoplifting3
Bicycle theft1
Burglary1
Theft from the person1
2. Shopping Area (Map)
Total16
Shoplifting13
Other crime1
Public order1
Violence and sexual offences1
3. Supermarket (Map)
Total9
Shoplifting5
Public order2
Bicycle theft1
Burglary1
4. Howardsgate (Map)
Total8
Anti-social behaviour3
Violence and sexual offences2
Bicycle theft1
Other theft1
Public order1
5. Stonehills (Map)
Total8
Violence and sexual offences3
Anti-social behaviour2
Shoplifting2
Other theft1
6. Stanborough Road (Map)
Total7
Anti-social behaviour3
Violence and sexual offences3
Public order1
7. Stanborough Green (Map)
Total6
Anti-social behaviour3
Violence and sexual offences3
8. A6129 (Map)
Total5
Shoplifting2
Anti-social behaviour1
Other crime1
Violence and sexual offences1
9. Fretherne Road (Map)
Total4
Anti-social behaviour2
Other theft1
Violence and sexual offences1
10. Bus/Coach Station (Map)
Total3
Anti-social behaviour1
Criminal damage and arson1
Public order1

  • 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.