Knebworth Crime Rate

Knebworth is a safe and desirable village with an overall crime rate of 72.7 per 1,000 people, which is well below the UK average of 91.7. This results in a high safety score of 84/100, positioning Knebworth as a secure community. However, recent data indicates an increasing trend, with crime rising by 19.4% year-over-year. The local property crime rate stands at 30.7 per 1,000, which is close to the national average of 32.3. While Knebworth remains a safer-than-average location, the recent uptick in activity suggests that residents should be more attentive to home and vehicle security than in previous years.

Crime Breakdown in Knebworth

In Knebworth, the most frequent crime category is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 27.2% of all reports (72 crimes). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 20.8% and shoplifting at 14.0%. These three categories represent over 60% of the total crime in the village, highlighting personal safety and public order as the primary areas of concern.

Property-related crime in Knebworth—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—occurs at a rate of 30.7 per 1,000 people. This is very close to the UK average of 32.3. Within this group, vehicle crime (7.9%) and criminal damage (7.2%) are the most common, while burglary accounts for 6.4% of total incidents. For a village of its size, the burglary rate is a factor that residents should be mindful of. The data suggests that while Knebworth is generally safe, it faces property protection challenges more typical of larger urban areas, particularly regarding vehicle security and domestic burglary.

Crime Trends in Knebworth

The crime trend in Knebworth is currently on an upward trajectory, with a significant 19.4% increase year-over-year. This is a notable change for the village, which has a population of 3,644. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 reveals some volatility in the local crime rate.

The period began with a low of 4.1 in December, but rates quickly rose to 7.7 in January and 7.4 in April. After a quieter summer, another peak occurred in September with a rate of 8.0, the highest of the year. The final months of 2025 remained higher than the previous year's start, settling around 6.3 in November. This sustained increase across various months suggests that the rise in crime is not an isolated event but a broader trend that warrants increased safety awareness among Knebworth residents.

How To Keep Safe in Knebworth

The most prevalent crime in Knebworth is violence and sexual offences (27.2%). While the village is generally safe, it is important to stay aware of your surroundings, especially near the railway station and local shops during late-night hours. If possible, avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas and stick to the main residential streets.

Anti-social behaviour is also a significant concern, making up 20.8% of reports. Residents are encouraged to join local community groups or neighbourhood watch schemes to stay informed about local issues. Reporting nuisance behaviour promptly helps the police manage resources and prevent escalation.

Given the 14% shoplifting rate, local business owners should consider enhanced security measures. For residents, vehicle crime (7.9%) and burglary (6.4%) are the primary property risks. Always ensure your vehicle is locked with no valuables on display, and consider fitting additional locks to side gates and sheds. As crime is currently on an upward trend in Knebworth, maintaining a high level of vigilance and looking out for vulnerable neighbours is key to keeping the community safe.

Crime Patterns in Knebworth

Crime in Knebworth shows distinct variations based on the time of day. During the morning (6am - 12pm), theft-related offences are prominent at 35%, along with vehicle crime at 26%. This trend of theft-related activity peaks in the afternoon (12pm - 6pm) at 40%, which is also the time when burglaries are most likely to occur (27%).

As evening falls (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes—including anti-social behaviour and public order offences—become more prevalent, accounting for 36% of incidents. Night-time (12am - 6am) sees a major shift towards vehicle crime, which makes up a significant 50% of all reported offences during these hours. Burglary remains a consistent threat throughout the late hours, with 23% occurring in the evening and 22% at night. These patterns suggest that while commercial-related theft is a daytime issue, residential property and vehicle security are most at risk during the afternoon and overnight periods.

Knebworth has a higher crime rate than many of its immediate rural neighbours. Its rate of 72.7 per 1,000 is higher than Woolmer Green (50.1), Datchworth (39.6), and the very low rate in Oaklands (24.0). Nearby Aston reports a rate of 0.0, though this is likely due to reporting boundaries. Knebworth's higher figures can be attributed to its larger population and its role as a local commercial and transport hub, with its own shops and railway station. While it is more active than surrounding villages, it still maintains a safety score (84) that is far better than the national average, making it a secure but busier alternative to its smaller neighbours.

Protecting Your Property in Knebworth

With Knebworth's property crime rate at 30.7 per 1,000 and an increasing trend of 19.4%, property protection has become a more pressing concern for local residents. Burglary and vehicle crime together account for over 14% of the village's total offences. Traditional security systems, such as Ring or Nest cameras, are fundamentally reactive—they notify you after someone is already on your property, often providing little more than footage of the crime taking place.

For Knebworth homeowners looking for real protection, a proactive AI-powered system like scOS is the modern solution. scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries 24/7, detecting threats before they escalate. It can identify suspicious loitering or unauthorised vehicles, cross-referencing them against known routines. When a threat is detected, scOS initiates an autonomous response—such as activating high-intensity lighting or audible warnings—to deter the intruder. By stopping criminals at the property line, scOS prevents the break-in from ever happening, which is essential in an area where burglary rates are a factor. Professional security signals that your home is not an easy target, encouraging opportunistic criminals to move on.