Harpenden Crime Rate

Harpenden recorded a crime rate of 39.5 per 1,000 people for the period of January 2025 to December 2025. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6, establishing the town as one of the safest residential areas in the country. Harpenden boasts an exceptional safety score of 91/100, far exceeding the UK national average of 79. The crime trend is currently increasing, with a year-over-year rise of 8.7%. However, given the very low starting point, Harpenden remains an incredibly secure location. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of local crime statistics, temporal patterns, and practical safety advice for residents.

In Harpenden, the crime landscape is primarily shaped by violence and sexual offences, which account for 26.1% of all reports. Anti-social behaviour is also significant at 18.6%, followed by vehicle crime at 12.8%. For residents, property-related crime is a present factor, with the combined rate for offences such as burglary, vehicle crime, and theft standing at 19.6 per 1,000 people. Vehicle crime is particularly notable, representing a high percentage of local crime, while burglary accounts for 9.2%. Other theft also makes up 12.2% of reports. This distribution suggests that while Harpenden is very safe overall, the risk of vehicle-related offences and burglary is a persistent factor in the area, requiring residents to be proactive about both home and vehicle security.

Harpenden is currently seeing an increasing crime trend, with a year-over-year rise of 8.7%. Monthly data from 2025 shows the crime rate starting at 2.7 in January and reaching a peak of 4.3 in August. Following this peak, the rate fluctuated, with another high of 3.8 in June. However, the year ended with a relatively low rate of 3.0 in December. While the percentage increase is notable, it is important to remember that Harpenden's overall crime volume remains exceptionally low. Residents should stay informed but can remain confident in the town's status as a very safe place to live.

How To Keep Safe in Harpenden

The most common crime in Harpenden is violence and sexual offences, though the actual number of incidents is very low. For personal safety, we recommend maintaining your usual awareness, especially when walking in quieter parts of the town after dark. Stick to well-lit routes and let someone know your expected arrival time.

Vehicle crime is a notable part of the local profile at 12.8%. Be aware that vehicle crime spikes significantly to 51% of all reports during the night (midnight to 6am). Always park your car in a garage or a secure, well-lit driveway and never leave valuables inside. For homeowners, the 19.6 per 1,000 property crime rate means home security should be a priority. Burglary in Harpenden peaks in the afternoon (25%) and evening (23%). Ensure all windows and doors are locked when you are out and consider installing a high-quality security system. These simple, proactive steps can help maintain Harpenden's outstanding safety record and protect your property from opportunistic theft. Anti-social behaviour is also a factor at 18.6%, so residents can help by reporting any persistent issues to the local authorities.

Crime in Harpenden follows a distinct temporal pattern. Morning and afternoon hours are primarily associated with theft-related incidents, often occurring near local businesses. However, as evening approaches, the profile shifts toward 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour, which account for 33% of reports between 6pm and midnight. The night-time hours (midnight to 6am) see a dramatic increase in vehicle crime, which rises to 51% of all reported incidents. Burglary risk is also notable in the afternoon (25%) and evening (23%), suggesting that residents should be particularly vigilant about securing their homes during the day and early evening hours.

Harpenden is one of the safest towns in its local cluster. Its rate of 39.5 per 1,000 is significantly lower than the nearby settlement of Redbourn (63.8) and the larger city of St Albans (88.6). Neighbouring areas like Lea Valley, Kinsbourne Green, and Blackmore End have reported near-zero crime rates in this period, providing a very quiet regional context. For those seeking a high level of security and a peaceful residential environment, Harpenden offers an exceptionally favourable crime profile compared to most urban centres in Hertfordshire.

In the highly secure town of Harpenden, while the property crime rate is a low 19.6 per 1,000, maintaining this high standard of safety is a priority for residents. High-value properties in such areas can occasionally attract targeted interest, particularly for vehicle theft and burglary. Traditional security—like standard alarms or basic CCTV—is reactive, only providing evidence after a crime has been committed. For those who value prevention, scOS offers a proactive AI-powered alternative. scOS monitors your property's boundary in real-time, using multi-camera intelligence to detect threats before an intruder even reaches your door. By identifying suspicious patterns and verified vehicles, scOS can trigger autonomous responses—such as activating security lights or audio warnings—that disrupt a criminal's plan in the critical 60 seconds of their decision-making. With vehicle crime accounting for nearly 13% of local crime and spiking dramatically at night, this professional-grade deterrence is the best way to ensure Harpenden remains one of the safest places to live. Traditional systems record the crime; scOS prevents it.