Local Area Crime Statistics

East Hertfordshire Crime Rate

Crime is stable and LOW in East Hertfordshire

East Hertfordshire crime rate is 66.6 per 1,000 residents with an 85/100 safety score, significantly safer than the UK average of 93.4.

Overall Crime Rate

66.6
per 1,000 people
29% lower than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

21.6
per 1,000 people
35% lower than UK avg

Based on population of 156,875 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for East Hertfordshire

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in East Hertfordshire
Overall Crime Rate66.6 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate21.6 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score85 out of 100
Population156,875
Trendstable
Comparisonsignificantly lower than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in East Hertfordshire
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences3,64623.235%
Anti-social behaviour2,32514.822%
Criminal damage and arson7034.57%
Other theft6934.47%
Vehicle crime6464.16%
Shoplifting6394.16%
Public order5413.55%
Burglary4372.84%
Drugs2721.73%
Other crime2181.42%
Bicycle theft990.61%
Robbery840.51%
Theft from the person800.51%
Possession of weapons700.51%

Introduction to Crime Statistics in East Hertfordshire

East Hertfordshire presents a detailed picture of crime statistics, with an overall crime rate of 66.6 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure places the area significantly below the national average, which stands at 93.4 crimes per 1,000 people, indicating a comparatively safer environment. The area also boasts a strong safety score of 85 out of 100, notably higher than the UK average of 78. In terms of recent trends, East Hertfordshire's crime rate has remained stable over the last year, showing a minimal increase of 1.4%. This stability suggests a consistent local safety profile, providing residents and prospective residents with a clear understanding of the current crime landscape.

East Hertfordshire Safety Score

85
Safe
Safety Score out of 100

East Hertfordshire has a relatively good safety score compared to the UK average (78).

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

Crime Rates Across East Hertfordshire

Hertford

84.5
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Bishop's Stortford

72.1
per 1,000
Low Risk

Ware

69.2
per 1,000
Low Risk

Braughing

68.0
per 1,000
Low Risk

Thundridge and Wadesmill

67.9
per 1,000
Low Risk

Sawbridgeworth

67.2
per 1,000
Low Risk

Stanstead Abbotts

64.2
per 1,000
Low Risk

Great Hormead

58.8
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Buntingford

53.9
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Great Amwell

52.2
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Hertford Heath

49.2
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Walkern

44.0
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Crime Rate Risk Levels

Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

About East Hertfordshire

East Hertfordshire is a diverse local authority district characterised by a mix of market towns, villages, and rural landscapes, situated within the London commuter belt. Its predominantly suburban and rural nature, coupled with a population of approximately 156,875, contributes to a generally lower crime rate compared to more densely populated urban centres. The area benefits from a strong community feel in its villages and a blend of residential and commercial activities in towns like Hertford and Bishop's Stortford. Transport hubs, particularly train stations connecting to London, facilitate commuting and economic activity but can also attract certain types of opportunistic crime, though this is mitigated by the overall environment. The demographic profile, often characterised by families and professionals, along with local initiatives, plays a role in fostering a safer community and maintaining the relatively high safety score observed in the statistics.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
3,646 incidents (23.2 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
2,325 incidents (14.8 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
703 incidents (4.5 per 1,000)
Other theft
693 incidents (4.4 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
646 incidents (4.1 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
639 incidents (4.1 per 1,000)
Public order
541 incidents (3.5 per 1,000)
Burglary
437 incidents (2.8 per 1,000)
Drugs
272 incidents (1.7 per 1,000)
Other crime
218 incidents (1.4 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
99 incidents (0.6 per 1,000)
Robbery
84 incidents (0.5 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
80 incidents (0.5 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
70 incidents (0.5 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

↓ 10% change(over 12 months)
East Hertfordshire
UK Average

Compare East Hertfordshire with similar populations

East Hertfordshire has a 28.7% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Type Analysis

An analysis of crime types in East Hertfordshire reveals that Violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant category, accounting for 34.9% of all reported crimes, with 3,646 incidents (23.2 per 1,000 residents). Following this, Anti-social behaviour is the second most prevalent, with 2,325 crimes (14.8 per 1,000), making up 22.2% of the total. Criminal damage and arson rank as the third highest, with 703 incidents (4.5 per 1,000), representing 6.7% of the total crime. When considering property-related crime overall, which includes categories such as burglary (2.8 per 1,000), other theft (4.4 per 1,000), vehicle crime (4.1 per 1,000), criminal damage and arson (4.5 per 1,000), bicycle theft (0.6 per 1,000), robbery (0.5 per 1,000), and theft from the person (0.5 per 1,000), East Hertfordshire records a rate of 21.6 per 1,000 people. This is considerably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000, indicating that residents and homeowners in East Hertfordshire face a reduced risk of such offences compared to many other parts of the country.

Crime Trends in East Hertfordshire

Examining the crime trends in East Hertfordshire over the past year, the area has experienced a stable period, with a minimal year-over-year increase of 1.4%. This indicates that the overall crime landscape has remained largely consistent. Looking at the monthly crime rate per 1,000 residents, there have been some fluctuations. The rate was 6.0 in October 2024, dipped to 4.9 in December 2024, and then saw a gradual increase through the spring and summer months, reaching 6.5 in June and August 2025, before settling at 5.4 in September 2025. This pattern suggests a slight seasonal variation, with higher rates observed during the warmer months, which is a common trend in crime statistics. For residents, this stable trend means that the general safety profile of East Hertfordshire has not significantly changed, offering a predictable environment.

Crime in Nearby Areas

When comparing East Hertfordshire to its neighbouring areas, it provides a valuable regional context. Harlow, Stevenage, and Broxbourne are urban centres that typically present different crime profiles due to their denser populations and varied socio-economic factors. East Hertfordshire's overall crime rate of 66.6 per 1,000 is generally lower than these more urbanised neighbours, reinforcing its position as a comparatively safer district. Similarly, when looking at Welwyn Hatfield and North Hertfordshire, while sharing some suburban and rural characteristics, East Hertfordshire maintains a competitive safety standing. Epping Forest, another adjacent district, also offers a point of comparison, and East Hertfordshire's crime statistics often reflect a slightly more favourable position. This regional comparison highlights East Hertfordshire as a desirable location for those prioritising a lower crime environment within the broader South East.

Protecting Your Home in East Hertfordshire

Understanding East Hertfordshire's property crime rate of 21.6 per 1,000 residents, which is below the national average, is crucial for effective home security. While the figures are reassuring, proactive protection remains paramount. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV, often only provide footage after a burglary has occurred, acting as a reactive recording system rather than a preventative one. For residents seeking to genuinely deter and prevent crime, especially property-related offences like burglary and vehicle crime, a more advanced approach is beneficial. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, offers proactive protection by detecting threats at the property boundary before an intrusion can happen. Its multi-camera intelligence and autonomous response, including activating lights and engaging speakers, are designed to destroy the element of surprise and make potential intruders move on. This level of professional-grade deterrence ensures that your property is protected in real-time, intervening before the 60-second decision window most burglars operate within. While DIY systems have their place, for those who want real protection that prevents crime rather than just records it, a professional, AI-driven solution like scOS offers a significant advantage in safeguarding your property.

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About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for East Hertfordshire

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.uk — Recorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National Statistics — Demographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home Office — National offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI Requests — Supplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.
Police.ukONSHome OfficeFOI

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

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