Waltham Cross Crime Rate

Waltham Cross, an urban settlement in Broxbourne, maintains a respectable safety profile with an overall crime rate of 109.9 per 1,000 residents. While this is higher than the UK average of 93.1, the town enjoys a safety score of 75/100, reinforcing its reputation as a secure place to live. Recent trends show that crime is decreasing, with a significant 18.1% reduction over the past year. With a property crime rate above the national average and moderate burglary figures, Waltham Cross provides a secure environment for its 14,036 residents. This report provides a detailed look at local crime statistics, property safety, and emerging trends to help residents stay informed about their community.

In Waltham Cross, the crime profile is led by three primary categories: violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, and shoplifting. Violence and sexual offences make up the largest portion, accounting for 30.2% of all reported crime with 466 incidents. Anti-social behaviour is also very significant at 20.2% (311 crimes), while shoplifting represents 11.8% (182 crimes).

Property-related crime in Waltham Cross is a key concern for local residents, with an overall rate of 43.3 per 1,000 people. This includes 182 shoplifting offences, 103 vehicle crimes, 93 'other thefts', 85 cases of criminal damage and arson, and 53 burglaries. With a burglary rate of 3.8 per 1,000, homeowners should remain vigilant. The combined volume of property offences—including vehicle crime and shoplifting—means that securing homes and personal assets is an essential part of daily life for the community. The data suggests that while Waltham Cross is generally safe, maintaining robust security measures is a sensible precaution.

The crime trend in Waltham Cross is currently decreasing, with a significant 18.1% reduction in total offences compared to the previous year. A month-by-month look at the data shows that crime rates were lowest in early 2025, with February recording a rate of 6.1. There was a gradual increase through the spring and summer of 2025, with rates peaking in October at 11.2 and July at 11.1. Since then, the rate has fluctuated but generally remained within a consistent range. This pattern suggests that the town maintains a very steady level of crime, with minor seasonal variations and a clear overall downward trend. For residents, this decrease is highly positive, indicating that Waltham Cross is becoming even safer over time. there are no major signs of significant shifts in the town's safety standards.

How To Keep Safe in Waltham Cross

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Waltham Cross, representing 30.2% of all reported incidents. While the town is generally safe, staying aware of your personal safety is always recommended for residents and visitors.

• Plan Your Journey: When walking at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through unlit parks or alleyways.
• Keep Valuables Hidden: Avoid displaying expensive jewellery or electronic devices when in public to reduce the risk of opportunistic theft.
• Trust Your Instincts: If a situation or person makes you feel uneasy, move to a busy, well-lit area or enter a public building.
• Share Your Location: Use safety features on your smartphone to share your live location with a trusted friend or family member when travelling alone.
• Secure Your Home: Given the 43.3 property crime rate, ensure all doors and windows are locked, even when you are inside, and consider an AI-based security system for proactive protection.

Crime in Waltham Cross shows distinct variations throughout the day. The afternoon (12pm - 6pm) is a peak time for theft, accounting for 53% of incidents during these hours, likely due to commercial activity. As evening approaches (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, become more prevalent, making up a significant 42% of reports. Night-time (12am - 6am) is the most critical window for property security. Vehicle crime peaks at a significant 49% of total incidents during these early hours, while burglary accounts for 15% of night-time incidents. Interestingly, burglary is also high in the afternoon (14%), suggesting that both unoccupied daytime homes and night-time targets are at risk. Understanding these patterns allows residents to be more vigilant during high-risk windows, such as ensuring vehicles are extra secure overnight and homes are locked during the day.

In the local context of Broxbourne and the surrounding area, Waltham Cross is a standard urban settlement. While it has a higher crime rate than the exceptionally quiet nearby areas of Sewardstone (0.0) and High Beech (0.0), it is very similar to Waltham Abbey, which has a rate of 93.1, and Cheshunt, which has a rate of 92.9. Waltham Cross's crime rate of 109.9 reflects its status as a significant residential and commercial hub compared to its smaller neighbours, but it remains a standard choice for those looking to live in the region, offering a balanced and secure environment.

Waltham Cross's property crime rate of 43.3 per 1,000 people indicates that property protection should be a priority for homeowners. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or video doorbells, are often reactive—they provide footage of an event after it has already occurred. This can be frustrating for homeowners who want to prevent crime, not just record it.

The scOS operating system offers a proactive solution by using AI to detect threats at the property boundary. Instead of just recording a burglary, scOS identifies potential intruders in real-time and can autonomously trigger deterrents like lights and audio warnings. In Waltham Cross, where vehicle crime peaks significantly at night and burglaries occur both in the afternoon and at night, having a system that monitors your home 24/7 with multi-camera intelligence is a significant advantage. scOS learns your family's routines and only alerts you to genuine threats, providing professional-grade security that stops criminals before they can even attempt a break-in. This preventative approach is the most effective way to ensure your home remains truly secure.