Letchworth Crime Rate

Letchworth Garden City offers a stable and relatively secure environment, with an overall crime rate of 87.3 per 1,000 residents. This figure sits below the UK national average of 91.7, contributing to a solid safety score of 80/100. Over the past year, the crime rate has remained stable, showing a minor decrease of 3.1%. Property crime is notably lower than the national benchmark, at 26.6 per 1,000 compared to 32.3. As the world's first Garden City, Letchworth's unique layout and community focus help maintain a safe atmosphere for its 33,195 inhabitants. While urban activity naturally brings some challenges, the data indicates that Letchworth remains a safer choice than many other UK towns of its size.

Letchworth's crime statistics are primarily driven by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 38.1% of all reports, or 33.3 crimes per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is also prominent at 21.8%, while shoplifting is the third most frequent crime at 9.8%.

The overall property crime rate in Letchworth is 26.6 per 1,000 people. This includes 80 burglaries, 67 vehicle crimes, and 283 shoplifting incidents, alongside 195 other thefts. For residents and local business owners, these figures suggest that while Letchworth remains safer than the UK average (32.3), property-related offences are a frequent occurrence. The high proportion of shoplifting indicates a specific challenge in commercial zones, while burglary and vehicle crime, though lower in volume, remain persistent risks for homeowners. Maintaining vigilance and securing personal assets is essential for the community to help lower these figures further.

Letchworth's crime trend is stable, with a modest 3.1% decrease in total offences over the past 12 months. Monthly data shows the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated between 6.1 and 8.4. The year started at 7.4 in December, with a notable peak in March 2025 at 8.4. This was followed by a period of relative stability through the summer, with rates staying between 7.2 and 8.1.

The latter part of the year saw a slight downward trend, with October and November both recording a rate of 6.7. This overall stability suggests that Letchworth is maintaining a consistent safety profile. For residents, these figures mean that while crime does occur, there are no significant upward trends to cause alarm, and the town continues to be a reliable and safe place to live.

How To Keep Safe in Letchworth

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Letchworth, accounting for 38.1% of all reports. While the town is generally safe, staying mindful of your surroundings in public spaces is always wise.

In the town centre and near retail parks, be aware of your personal belongings, especially during the afternoon when theft and shoplifting peak (54%). Keep bags zipped and avoid leaving phones or wallets on tables in cafes or restaurants. If you are walking home in the evening, stick to well-lit, populated routes and avoid using unlit paths through the Greenway or local parks.

Anti-social behaviour accounts for 21.8% of crime. Reporting any persistent issues to the police or local council helps them allocate resources effectively. Residents can also contribute to a safer environment by participating in local neighbourhood watch schemes and keeping their property perimeters well-maintained.

Vehicle crime and burglary are most prevalent at night (26% and 19% respectively). Always ensure your vehicle is locked and nothing is left on display. For your home, consider motion-activated lighting for driveways and rear gardens. These simple measures can significantly deter opportunistic criminals who operate under the cover of darkness.

Crime in Letchworth shows clear time-of-day variations. The morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm) are dominated by theft-related offences, which make up 52% and 54% of incidents respectively, largely driven by shoplifting and other thefts in commercial areas. As the day turns to evening (6pm-12am), 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, become the most frequent at 53%. During the night (12am-6am), there is a notable shift toward property crime; vehicle crime accounts for 26% of reports and burglary for 19%. This night-time increase in property offences highlights the vulnerability of unattended homes and vehicles during the early hours.

In the local North Hertfordshire context, Letchworth (87.3) has a crime rate comparable to its neighbour Baldock (85.1). It is, however, higher than the rates found in Hitchin (66.6), Stotfold (50.7), and Ickleford (57.4). These differences are largely due to Letchworth's role as a major commercial and residential hub. Despite these local variations, Letchworth remains significantly safer than the UK national average. For those looking for an urban environment with extensive amenities and a high quality of life, Letchworth provides a secure and stable option within the region.

Letchworth’s property crime rate of 26.6 per 1,000 residents highlights that while the town is safe, nearly 150 burglaries and vehicle crimes still occur each year. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or DIY video doorbells, often provide a false sense of security; they are reactive, merely recording footage of a crime that has already happened. For homeowners in Letchworth, a proactive approach is much more effective at preventing loss.

scOS is an AI-powered home security operating system that stops threats before they reach your door. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property's boundary in real-time. It is designed to ignore common distractions like pets or passing cars, only alerting you to genuine threats. If an intruder is detected, especially during the high-risk night-time hours when burglary and vehicle crime peak, scOS can autonomously respond with deterrents like bright lights and audio warnings. This immediate intervention destroys the element of surprise, usually causing the intruder to flee before any entry is attempted. In a town like Letchworth, proactive AI protection offers the most robust way to secure your home and family.