Dacorum Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Dacorum

Dacorum, a local authority district in Hertfordshire, reports an overall crime rate of 90.6 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure places Dacorum slightly below the UK national average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000. The area's safety is reflected in its safety score of 79 out of 100, which is marginally higher than the UK average safety score of 78, indicating a generally safer environment compared to many other regions. However, recent trends show an increasing trajectory, with a 9.3% rise in total crimes year-over-year. This introduction sets the stage for a more detailed examination of crime types, trends, and comparisons with neighbouring areas, providing a comprehensive overview of safety in Dacorum.

What Contributes to Crime Statistics in Dacorum?

Dacorum, a diverse local authority district in Hertfordshire, encompasses a mix of urban centres, suburban neighbourhoods, and rural areas, each contributing uniquely to its overall crime statistics. The primary urban hub, Hemel Hempstead, with its commercial areas, transport links, and nightlife, naturally sees a higher volume of certain crime types, such as shoplifting, violence, and anti-social behaviour, reflecting increased population density and activity. The presence of major roadways like the M1 and A41 also influences vehicle crime and other transient offences within the district.

Demographically, Dacorum is home to a significant resident population, but its proximity to London and other large towns means there is also a degree of transient population, particularly around transport hubs, which can sometimes correlate with certain crime patterns. Economic factors, including local employment rates and deprivation levels in specific wards, can also play a role in influencing property crimes and other offences. While generally considered an affluent area, pockets of socio-economic challenge exist, which can be reflected in crime data. The balance between bustling urban environments and quieter rural communities creates a varied landscape for crime, where prevention strategies must be tailored to specific local contexts.

Crime Type Analysis in Dacorum

An analysis of crime types in Dacorum reveals that violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent, accounting for 4,912 crimes, or 33.6% of all reported incidents, at a rate of 30.4 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour, with 3,154 recorded incidents, making up 21.6% of the total at 19.5 per 1,000. Shoplifting constitutes the third most common crime type, with 1,262 occurrences, representing 8.6% of the total and a rate of 7.8 per 1,000.

Property-related crime in Dacorum, which encompasses burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, collectively stands at 32.0 per 1,000 people. This is slightly below the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specifically, other theft recorded 1,050 crimes, criminal damage and arson 942, vehicle crime 897, and burglary 667. For residents and homeowners, these figures highlight the importance of securing personal belongings and properties, particularly against theft and vehicle-related offences. While the overall property crime rate is lower than the national average, vigilance and proactive security measures remain crucial.

Crime Trends in Dacorum

Dacorum has experienced an increasing trend in its overall crime rate, with a year-over-year rise of 9.3%. Analysing the monthly trend data provides further insight into this pattern. The crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated throughout the year, with notable peaks. For instance, the rate saw a significant increase in March 2025, reaching 8.7 per 1,000, after a period of lower rates in January and February (6.9 and 6.4 respectively). Another peak was observed in July 2025, at 9.0 per 1,000. Conversely, the lowest rates were recorded in February 2025 and September 2025 (6.4 and 6.8 per 1,000 respectively), suggesting some seasonal variations or specific local factors influencing crime at different times of the year. This upward trend indicates a need for residents to stay informed about local safety advice and consider appropriate preventative measures to mitigate risks.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

When evaluating crime statistics, it is beneficial to compare Dacorum with its neighbouring areas to provide regional context. Dacorum's overall crime rate of 90.6 per 1,000 is lower than that of Watford, which generally experiences a higher urban crime rate. Similarly, Dacorum typically has a lower crime rate than Luton, a larger urban centre. In contrast, areas like Three Rivers and St Albans often report lower crime rates, aligning with their more suburban or rural characteristics. Buckinghamshire, as a broader county area, presents a diverse range of crime profiles, but Dacorum generally compares favourably to its more urbanised parts. Hertsmere, another neighbouring district, tends to have comparable or slightly lower crime rates. These comparisons highlight Dacorum's position as an area with a moderate crime rate within the regional landscape, offering a relatively safer environment than its more densely populated neighbours while being slightly more active than its quieter counterparts.

Protecting Your Home in Dacorum

Given Dacorum's property crime rate of 32.0 per 1,000 residents, which, while below the national average, still indicates a significant number of incidents, proactive home security is paramount. Traditional security systems often provide footage of a burglary after it has occurred, acting reactively. However, for true peace of mind, consider a proactive approach to prevent crime before it happens.

AI-powered home security operating systems like scOS offer a distinct advantage. Instead of merely recording an event, scOS detects threats at your property boundary, acting as an immediate deterrent. Its multi-camera intelligence ensures comprehensive surveillance, never missing a detail, and features like DVLA vehicle verification can instantly identify suspicious vehicles. By learning your routines, scOS differentiates between family, deliveries, and genuine threats, reducing false alarms. When a real threat is detected, the system can autonomously respond with lights and speakers, destroying the element of surprise that burglars rely on. This professional-grade equipment signals serious protection, making burglars decide within 60 seconds that your property is too much effort, causing them to move on. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actively stopping threats at your property line is another.