Borehamwood Crime Rate

Borehamwood, a significant urban settlement within Hertsmere, has an overall crime rate of 116.9 per 1,000 people. This figure is notably higher than the UK average of 93.1, reflecting the town's role as a busy commercial and transport hub. Despite this, Borehamwood maintains a respectable safety score of 74/100, suggesting that the community remains a viable and secure place for its 41,531 residents. The crime trend is currently classified as stable, with a 4.8% increase year-over-year. This consistency indicates that while the town faces urban safety challenges, they are being managed without significant escalation. The following data explores the nuances of Borehamwood's crime patterns, providing essential insights for residents and visitors alike.

Crime Breakdown in Borehamwood

In Borehamwood, the crime landscape is dominated by violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, and shoplifting. Violence and sexual offences represent the largest portion of reported crime at 33.0%, with a rate of 38.5 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is also significant, accounting for 19.0% of incidents. Shoplifting is notably high at 10.5%, reflecting the area's active commercial and retail sectors.

Property-related crime—which includes burglary, robbery, theft, vehicle crime, and arson—presents a rate of 40.5 per 1,000 people. This is considerably higher than the UK average of 32.9. Within this category, vehicle crime accounts for 5.2% of total offences, while burglary represents 3.3%. Although the burglary rate of 3.9 per 1,000 is relatively modest, the overall volume of theft and criminal damage indicates that property security is a vital concern for local residents.

For homeowners in Borehamwood, these statistics highlight a need for vigilance. The concentration of shoplifting and 'other theft' suggests a transient element in the town's commercial areas that can spill over into residential neighbourhoods. Protecting your property from opportunistic theft and criminal damage is essential to maintaining the safety and value of your home in this busy urban settlement.

Crime Trends in Borehamwood

Borehamwood's crime rate has remained stable over the past year, with a modest 4.8% increase in total incidents. This steady trend is reflected in the monthly data, which shows a consistent level of activity throughout the year. The highest crime rate was recorded in July 2025 at 11.1 per 1,000 residents, followed closely by June 2025 at 10.8. These summer peaks are common in urban areas as increased outdoor activity can lead to more reported incidents.

The lowest rate was seen in September 2025, dropping to 8.1 per 1,000, suggesting a significant seasonal dip. Other months, such as December 2024 (9.1) and February 2025 (9.4), also showed lower-than-average activity. For residents, this stability is reassuring, indicating that there are no sudden surges in criminal activity. However, the consistent nature of the property crime rate suggests that security should remain a year-round priority rather than a seasonal one.

How To Keep Safe in Borehamwood

The most common crime in Borehamwood is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 33.0% of all reports. While this often includes incidents in private settings, staying safe in public is a priority for many residents.

1. Stay Aware in Retail Areas: With shoplifting being a top crime, busy shopping areas can also attract opportunistic theft. Keep your personal belongings secure and be mindful of your surroundings in crowded spaces.
2. Secure Your Vehicle: Vehicle crime is a consistent issue. Always park in well-lit areas, preferably covered by CCTV, and never leave any items on display, even if they seem of low value.
3. Enhance Home Lighting: Many incidents occur during the evening and night. Installing motion-activated lighting around your home’s perimeter can deter both anti-social behaviour and potential intruders.
4. Commute Safely: If using the railway station late at night, try to walk home in groups or use a licensed taxi. Stick to the main, well-lit thoroughfares rather than taking shortcuts through unlit paths.
5. Join Neighbourhood Watch: Engaging with local safety groups can help you stay informed about recent trends and provide a collective voice for improving security in your specific street.

Crime Timing and Patterns in Borehamwood

Crime in Borehamwood follows distinct temporal patterns, with activity levels shifting throughout the day. The afternoon is the busiest period for theft-related offences, particularly shoplifting, which peaks when retail footfall is at its highest. During these hours, 54% of crimes are theft-related. As the day transitions into the evening, anti-social behaviour becomes more prominent, often linked to the town's evening economy and public gathering spots.

The night-time hours bring a different set of risks. Between midnight and 6am, vehicle crime becomes the dominant concern, accounting for 40% of all incidents during this period. Burglary also peaks at night, with 19% of offences occurring while residents are likely to be asleep. Understanding these patterns is crucial for residents; while the town is active and safe during the day, the shift towards property and vehicle crime at night necessitates robust home security and careful parking choices to mitigate risk.

Borehamwood serves as the primary urban centre for its immediate region, which explains its higher crime rate compared to smaller neighbours. Elstree, which is closely linked, has a lower rate of 94.1 per 1,000. Further out, the affluent settlements of Radlett and Shenley report significantly lower crime rates of 55.5 and 53.8 respectively. Letchmore Heath, a small village nearby, reports no crime in this period. For those considering the area, Borehamwood offers the most amenities and transport links but carries a higher incident volume than the surrounding rural and suburban villages. This regional context is typical for a major town surrounded by smaller, less densely populated settlements.

Home Security and Property Protection in Borehamwood

In Borehamwood, where the property crime rate is 40.5 per 1,000 residents, the limitations of traditional security are clear. Many homeowners rely on DIY cameras that merely record a crime as it happens. While this footage can be useful for insurance, it does not stop the intruder from entering your home. In a busy urban environment, proactive protection is the only way to truly secure your property.

scOS offers a sophisticated alternative by using AI to detect threats at the property boundary. Instead of waiting for a door to be forced, scOS identifies suspicious activity in real-time. Its multi-camera intelligence never blinks, monitoring all angles simultaneously to catch fake number plates or unrecognised individuals. When a threat is detected, the system can autonomously engage deterrents like high-intensity lighting or audible warnings. This proactive approach destroys the element of surprise, which is often enough to make a burglar move on to an easier target. For Borehamwood residents, this level of professional-grade security provides peace of mind that reactive systems simply cannot match.