Whitwell (North Hertfordshire) Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Whitwell (North Hertfordshire)

Whitwell (North Hertfordshire), a Built-Up Area, records an exceptionally low overall crime rate of 39.5 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure is significantly below the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000, indicating that Whitwell is a very safe place to live. The area boasts an impressive safety score of 90 out of 100, well above the UK average of 78/100, reflecting a highly secure environment for its population of 1,568. However, the crime trend in Whitwell has seen an increase of 17.0% year-over-year, suggesting a recent upward shift in crime incidents from a low base.

Crime Type Analysis

In Whitwell (North Hertfordshire), Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, accounting for 37.1% of all incidents, at a rate of 14.7 per 1,000 people. Anti-social behaviour is the second highest, representing 21.0% of crimes with a rate of 8.3 per 1,000 residents. Public order ranks third, contributing 12.9% to the total, at a rate of 5.1 per 1,000.

Property-related crime in Whitwell, which includes burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, stands at 10.9 per 1,000 people. This is substantially lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. For residents and homeowners, this indicates a significantly reduced risk of falling victim to property crimes, contributing to the area's high safety score. Despite the lower rates, maintaining good security practices remains a sensible approach.

Crime Trends in Whitwell (North Hertfordshire)

Whitwell (North Hertfordshire) has experienced an increasing crime trend over the past year, with a rise of 17.0% in total reported crimes year-over-year. Monthly crime rates per 1,000 residents show fluctuations, with a peak of 8.9 in January 2025 and a low of 1.3 in December 2024 and June 2025. After a period of lower rates in late 2024, rates generally fluctuated upwards, with a notable spike in January 2025. This increasing trend, albeit from a low base, suggests that residents should be aware of the recent upward shift in crime incidents.

Time Patterns of Crime in Whitwell (North Hertfordshire)

Crime in Whitwell (North Hertfordshire) shows varying patterns throughout the day. In the morning hours (6am-12pm), 'Other' crime is the most significant crime type, accounting for 45% of incidents, followed by theft at 24% and vehicle crime at 20%. Burglary is also present at 11%. This period suggests vulnerabilities related to people leaving for work and commercial activity.

The afternoon (12pm-6pm) continues to see 'Other' crime as the dominant crime, making up 44% of incidents, with theft at 28% and burglary at 20%. Vehicle crime is less prominent. This period, often busy with daily activities, presents opportunities for various forms of theft.

As evening approaches (6pm-12am), 'Other' crime becomes the most prevalent at 62%, with vehicle crime at 16% and burglary at 14%. Theft significantly decreases to 8%. This shift suggests a broader range of incidents occurring as social activities increase.

During the night-time (12am-6am), vehicle crime becomes the most significant at 40%, followed by 'Other' crime at 39% and burglary at 17%. Theft significantly drops to 4%. These hours are typically associated with increased risks for vehicle-related offences and residential break-ins when properties are less supervised.

Comparison with Nearby Areas

When comparing Whitwell (North Hertfordshire)'s crime statistics with neighbouring areas, it provides valuable regional context. With an overall crime rate of 39.5 per 1,000, Whitwell maintains a very favourable safety profile compared to surrounding settlements like Kimpton, Breachwood Green, Preston (North Hertfordshire), and Rush Green. Its crime rate is often lower than or comparable to these areas, highlighting its position as one of the safer Built-Up Areas within the region. This comparison reinforces Whitwell's reputation as a secure and peaceful place to live.

Protecting Your Property in Whitwell (North Hertfordshire)

With Whitwell (North Hertfordshire)'s property crime rate at 10.9 per 1,000 people, which is significantly below the national average, residents still benefit from robust home security. Traditional security cameras often only provide footage of a burglary after it has occurred. For truly effective protection, consider proactive systems designed to prevent crime before it happens at your property boundary. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, offers this advanced level of deterrence.

scOS utilises multi-camera intelligence to detect threats at the perimeter, rather than just recording an event after a break-in. By learning your routines and identifying real threats, it can activate lights and engage speakers to disorient potential intruders, destroying their element of surprise. This proactive intervention means that instead of merely documenting a crime, you can prevent it. Professional-grade equipment signals serious protection, making burglars decide within 60 seconds that your property is too much effort and to move on, providing a superior level of security compared to reactive DIY solutions.