Crime Rate in Handside: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Handside

The total recorded crimes in Handside, Welwyn Hatfield, UK in May 2025 are around 120 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Handside crime rate of 9.01 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 May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (37) incidents (208.33% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (31) incidents (-38.00% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (16) incidents (14.29% increase)
Handside Crime Hotspots

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

  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 19
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 17
  • Howardsgate with total crimes: 13

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 May 2025 the Handside has recorded 120 crimes with crime rate of 9.01 ranking 3th 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.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Handside)CrimesRank (Handside)CrimesRank (Handside)
Hatfield Central179 11,951 11,779 1
Hatfield Villages122 21,385 21,128 3
Hatfield South West94 61,076 4924 4
Hatfield East109 4860 7837 6
Peartree94 7950 5879 5
Howlands102 5904 6832 7
Haldens40 11579 10645 8
Hollybush58 10686 8595 9
Welham Green and Hatfield South67 8584 9493 10
Brookmans Park and Little Heath58 9492 11417 11
Welwyn West36 12428 12378 12
Sherrards17 15319 14358 13
Welwyn East28 14372 13306 15
Panshanger28 13316 15310 14
Northaw and Cuffley16 16249 16267 16

Handside Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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).

July 2024 crime data shows Shoplifting saw the largest number of reported crimes with 34 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 25 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (66 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (54 cases).

In May 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (25 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (22 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 361 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 27.77 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 66 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202537
April 202512
March 202527
February 202529
January 202522
December 202421
November 202416
October 202430
September 202433
August 202422
July 202421
June 202466
May 202425

A total of 34 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 3.40 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20256
April 20251
March 20252
January 20251
December 20242
November 20243
October 20245
September 20247
August 20246
July 20241

A total of 81 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 6.23 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20255
April 20252
March 20252
February 20258
January 20254
December 20246
November 20247
October 202411
September 20243
August 20246
July 20249
June 202416
May 20242

A total of 58 Other theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 4.46 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 10 reported cases.

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

A total of 443 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 34.08 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 50 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202531
April 202550
March 202531
February 202531
January 202532
December 202428
November 202431
October 202439
September 202429
August 202438
July 202434
June 202450
May 202419

A total of 272 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 20.92 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 54 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202516
April 202514
March 202517
February 202513
January 202514
December 202422
November 202418
October 202419
September 202412
August 202426
July 202425
June 202454
May 202422

A total of 29 Burglary incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.64 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20256
March 20251
January 20253
December 20241
November 20241
October 20243
August 20243
July 20241
June 20246
May 20241

A total of 17 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.89 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 4 reported cases.

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

A total of 21 Robbery incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.33 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
April 20252
March 20251
February 20251
January 20254
October 20242
September 20243
June 20244
May 20243

A total of 20 Other crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.22 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
March 20253
February 20251
January 20252
December 20245
September 20243
August 20241
July 20242
June 20242

A total of 80 Public order incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 6.15 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 13 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20255
April 20252
March 20256
February 20252
January 20256
December 202413
November 20244
October 20246
September 20244
August 202411
July 20247
June 202412
May 20242

A total of 11 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 1.38 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
April 20251
February 20251
December 20242
November 20242
October 20242
August 20241
May 20241

A total of 23 Drugs incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 2.30 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
July 20242
June 20244

A total of 9 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 13 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
July 20241
June 20242

High Crime Locations Handside in May 2025

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

1. Shopping Area (Map)
Total19
Shoplifting18
Public order1
2. Shopping Area (Map)
Total17
Shoplifting5
Violence and sexual offences4
Anti-social behaviour2
Other theft2
Public order2
Criminal damage and arson1
Theft from the person1
3. Howardsgate (Map)
Total13
Violence and sexual offences7
Anti-social behaviour5
Public order1
4. Supermarket (Map)
Total9
Bicycle theft2
Shoplifting2
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1
Robbery1
Vehicle crime1
5. Stanborough Green (Map)
Total7
Violence and sexual offences3
Anti-social behaviour2
Criminal damage and arson1
Shoplifting1
6. Fretherne Road (Map)
Total7
Vehicle crime2
Anti-social behaviour1
Bicycle theft1
Other crime1
Other theft1
Violence and sexual offences1
7. A6129 (Map)
Total5
Criminal damage and arson1
Other theft1
Shoplifting1
Vehicle crime1
Violence and sexual offences1
8. Stanborough Road (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1
Other theft1
9. Supermarket (Map)
Total4
Shoplifting2
Violence and sexual offences2
10. Stonehills (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences2
Public order1
Shoplifting1

  • 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.