Watton at Stone Crime Rate

Watton at Stone is a highly secure and peaceful village, boasting an excellent safety score of 90/100. The village's overall crime rate is a low 41.0 per 1,000 people, which is over 50% lower than the UK average of 91.7. While there has been an 8.0% increase in reported crime year-over-year, this is measured from a low baseline and does not detract from the village's status as a high-safety zone. Property crime is also minimal at just 9.9 per 1,000 residents, compared to the national average of 32.3. For the 2,636 residents, Watton at Stone offers a secure environment where serious crime is rare and residential safety is a hallmark of the community.

Watton at Stone is a safe village where violence and sexual offences are the most frequent crime type, making up 38.9% of all reports with 42 recorded incidents. Anti-social behaviour is second at 25.9%, followed by other theft at 8.3%. These figures reflect a low volume of crime overall, with most incidents being social in nature or opportunistic theft.

Property-related crime—including burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage—sits at a rate of 9.9 per 1,000 residents. This is far below the UK average of 32.3. Within this category, other theft (9 cases) and criminal damage (8 cases) are the most frequent. Burglary is very rare, with only 2 incidents recorded in a year, representing a rate of 0.8 per 1,000 people. For residents, this means that while home security is important, the statistical risk of a break-in is extremely low. The primary property concerns are opportunistic theft and vehicle-related issues, which are also relatively infrequent. The village's safety is a defining characteristic, with property crime being rare and often opportunistic.

The crime trend in Watton at Stone shows an 8.0% increase in total crime over the last 12 months. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows the crime rate fluctuating, with a low of 1.5 in May and a peak of 6.1 in June.

While an 8.0% increase sounds like a trend, it is important to note that it represents a small number of actual incidents due to the village's low baseline. The rate has mostly stayed between 2 and 5 per 1,000 residents each month. This suggests that while there have been minor fluctuations in reported activity, the village remains very safe. Residents should not be concerned by the percentage increase, but rather stay aware of local community reports.

How To Keep Safe in Watton at Stone

Watton at Stone is a very safe village, but the most prevalent crime type is violence and sexual offences (38.9%). This is often related to domestic or private incidents, but general safety awareness is always good.

• Theft Prevention: Other theft accounts for 8.3% of local incidents and is most common in the morning and afternoon. Ensure personal belongings are not left unattended in public spaces and secure any items kept in gardens.
• Vehicle Security: Vehicle crime accounts for 4.6% of local incidents and peaks at night (46%). Always ensure your car is locked and avoid leaving any items on display, even in your own driveway.
• Maintain Your Property Boundary: With criminal damage being a notable crime type (7.4%), keeping fences and gates in good repair can deter opportunistic access and clearly define your private space.
• Community Connectivity: Join a local Neighbourhood Watch or community group. In small, safe villages, residents are the best source of information about unusual activity or unknown vehicles.
• Report ASB: Anti-social behaviour makes up 25.9% of local crime. Reporting incidents helps local police maintain the peaceful atmosphere that makes Watton at Stone so desirable.

Crime in Watton at Stone follows a low-volume but distinct daily cycle. Morning and afternoon hours see a much higher proportion of theft-related incidents, accounting for 60% and 68% of crimes in those periods respectively. Evening hours see a rise in anti-social behaviour and public order incidents. The most notable pattern occurs at night; between midnight and 6am, vehicle crime accounts for 46% of all activity. This indicates that while the village is very safe for people during the day, property and vehicles are the primary targets for opportunistic offenders. Residents can maintain the village's high safety standards by focusing on vehicle security and boundary protection during these hours.

Watton at Stone is a very safe village within East Hertfordshire. When compared to nearby settlements, its crime rate of 41.0 is very similar to Dane End (39.7) and Datchworth (39.6). While it may not reach the exceptionally low crime level of Benington (15.6) or the zero crime level of Tewin Wood, it offers a level of safety that is far superior to most urban areas in the region. Its crime rate reflects a community that is deeply residential and peaceful. For those seeking a safe place to live, Watton at Stone provides an ideal balance of village life and high security.

With a property crime rate of only 9.9 per 1,000, Watton at Stone is one of the most secure areas you can choose. However, the 8.0% increase in reported crime suggests that opportunistic offenders are occasionally active. Traditional security systems like standard CCTV or Ring cameras are reactive; they record footage of a crime while it happens. In an area this safe, the goal of security should be to maintain that status by preventing even the rarest of incidents.

A proactive AI-powered system like scOS is the modern solution for high-safety areas. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's boundary 24/7, scOS can detect a potential intruder before they attempt a break-in. Features like autonomous light and sound deterrence can warn off a curious individual before they even reach your door. For Watton at Stone residents, scOS provides a level of intelligent protection that traditional systems cannot, ensuring that your home remains as secure as the statistics suggest it should be.