North Hertfordshire Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate North Hertfordshire’s crime profile, accounting for 40.4% of all reported crimes in January 2026. This category, with a rate of 1.9 per 1,000 residents, is 22% below the UK average of 2.4 per 1,000. The local authority’s overall crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 is 30.3% below the national average, reflecting a consistently safer environment compared to other parts of the UK. Anti-social behaviour and other theft follow as the second and third most common crime types, at 15.0% and 9.0% respectively. The post-holiday period in January typically sees reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which may contribute to fewer outdoor crimes and a shift in criminal activity towards more indoor or targeted offences. While violent crimes remain the largest category, their rate is lower than the UK average, suggesting local factors such as community engagement, policing strategies, or demographic characteristics may play a role. The area’s crime picture shows a balanced mix of property and violent crimes, with property crimes making up 32.4% of the total (205 incidents) and violent crimes 40.4%. This mix aligns with the profile of a mixed-terrain district, where both urban and rural features influence crime patterns. The lower-than-average rates for shoplifting (64% below UK average) and public order offences (51% below) indicate effective local interventions or community dynamics that mitigate these types of crime. However, the relatively higher rate of burglary (7% above UK average) may reflect the distribution of housing stock or targeted vulnerabilities in certain areas. Seasonal factors, such as colder weather and reduced social activity, may also influence the types of crimes reported, with anti-social behaviour and violence linked to indoor gatherings or limited recreational opportunities.

January 2026 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with bicycle theft surging by 150% (from 2 to 5 incidents) and other crime rising by 112.5% (from 8 to 17). These increases may be linked to seasonal factors, such as colder weather encouraging more indoor activities or increased visibility of cyclists in low-light conditions. Conversely, robbery dropped by 83.3% (from 6 to 1), and anti-social behaviour fell by 23.4% (from 124 to 95), potentially reflecting the impact of post-holiday lulls or targeted community initiatives. Violence and sexual offences, while still the most common category, remained 22% below the UK average, highlighting a consistent trend in this area. The category of possession of weapons, though small in volume (7 incidents), rose by 75% (from 4 to 7), a figure that is 43% above the UK average. This anomaly may warrant further local analysis from the data alone. Shoplifting and public order offences were both significantly below the UK average (64% and 51% respectively), suggesting that local policing or community measures are effectively addressing these issues. For residents, the sharp rise in bicycle theft is a specific concern, particularly during winter months when cycling conditions are more challenging. This data point could inform local advice on securing bicycles or increasing visibility in high-risk areas.

North Hertfordshire’s crime rate in January 2026 rose slightly to 4.6 per 1,000 from 4.4 per 1,000 in December, a 4.8% increase. This modest upward trend contrasts with the broader UK average, where the area remains 30.3% below the national rate. On a daily basis, the district recorded approximately 20 crimes per day in January, a figure that, while consistent with historical patterns, is lower than the UK-wide daily average. When scaled to the local population of 137,201, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 217 residents. This ratio is better than the UK average, which is not provided in the dataset but would likely be higher given North Hertfordshire’s overall lower rate. The population-scaled perspective suggests that the likelihood of an individual experiencing crime is relatively low. increase from December indicates a need for continued vigilance. The local context—characterised by a mix of urban and rural areas—may influence this balance, with more densely populated regions contributing to higher crime concentrations while rural areas maintain lower rates. The comparison also highlights the importance of contextual factors: for instance, the lower rates of shoplifting and public order offences compared to the UK average may reflect the district’s lower tourism levels or more effective local enforcement strategies. While the increase in bicycle theft is a concern, the overall picture remains one of relative safety compared to other parts of the UK.