Crime Statistics

Harpenden Crime Rate

+6.5%year-over-year

Crime is increasing and LOW in Harpenden

Harpenden boasts a low crime rate of 38.3 per 1,000 and an excellent 92/100 safety score. Discover local crime trends.

Overall Crime Rate

38.3
Crimes per 1,000 people
increasing trend

Property Crime Rate

18.3
Property crimes per 1,000 people
Includes burglary, theft, vandalism

How Harpenden Compares to UK Average

Overall Crime:38.3vs 93.4 UK avg
-55.1 per 1,000 people
Property Crime:18.3vs 33.2 UK avg
-14.9 per 1,000 people

Harpenden's crime rate is significantly lower than UK average

Based on population of 28,728 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Harpenden

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Harpenden
Overall Crime Rate38.3 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate18.3 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score92 out of 100
Population28,728
Trendincreasing
Comparisonsignificantly lower than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Harpenden
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences2789.725%
Anti-social behaviour2287.921%
Vehicle crime1374.812%
Other theft1274.412%
Burglary1033.69%
Criminal damage and arson883.18%
Shoplifting531.85%
Public order351.23%
Other crime180.62%
Bicycle theft100.31%
Drugs90.31%
Possession of weapons50.20%
Theft from the person40.10%
Robbery40.10%

About Harpenden

Harpenden, a desirable Built-Up Area, records a remarkably low overall crime rate of 38.3 per 1,000 residents annually, significantly below the national average UK crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000. This is further reflected in its exceptional safety score of 92/100, which is well above the UK average of 78/100, positioning Harpenden as a very safe community. Despite its high safety, the area has seen an increasing trend in crime, with a 6.5% increase year-over-year. This report provides an in-depth look at Harpenden's crime statistics and safety profile.

Harpenden Safety Score

92
Safe
Safety Score out of 100

Harpenden has a good safety score compared to the UK average (78).

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

Most Common Crimes in Harpenden

#1

Violence and sexual offences

Percentage:25%
Per 1,000:9.7
Total:278
#2

Anti-social behaviour

Percentage:21%
Per 1,000:7.9
Total:228
#3

Vehicle crime

Percentage:12%
Per 1,000:4.8
Total:137
#4

Other theft

Percentage:12%
Per 1,000:4.4
Total:127
#5

Burglary

Percentage:9%
Per 1,000:3.6
Total:103

Protect Against These Threats

scOS security systems are designed to detect and deter the most common crimes in your area, providing 24/7 autonomous protection.

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Crime Breakdown in Harpenden

The crime statistics for Harpenden highlight Violence and sexual offences, Anti-social behaviour, and Vehicle crime as the most common offences. Specifically, Violence and sexual offences (9.7 per 1,000 residents, 25.3%), Anti-social behaviour (7.9 per 1,000 residents, 20.8%), Vehicle crime (4.8 per 1,000 residents, 12.5%). These figures indicate the primary areas of criminal activity within the BUA. Property-related crime, covering burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, stands at 18.3 per 1,000 residents. This is substantially below the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000, underscoring Harpenden's overall security. While the risk is lower, residents are still advised to maintain robust security measures to protect their homes and valuables, particularly against the prevalent property-related offences.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
278 incidents (9.7 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
228 incidents (7.9 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
137 incidents (4.8 per 1,000)
Other theft
127 incidents (4.4 per 1,000)
Burglary
103 incidents (3.6 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
88 incidents (3.1 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
53 incidents (1.8 per 1,000)
Public order
35 incidents (1.2 per 1,000)
Other crime
18 incidents (0.6 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
10 incidents (0.3 per 1,000)
Drugs
9 incidents (0.3 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
5 incidents (0.2 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
4 incidents (0.1 per 1,000)
Robbery
4 incidents (0.1 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

→ 0% stable(over 12 months)
Harpenden
UK Average

Compare Harpenden with similar populations

Harpenden has a 59.0% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Trends in Harpenden

Harpenden has experienced an increasing trend in its overall crime rate, with a 6.5% increase year-over-year. Analysis of monthly data shows some fluctuations, with lower rates observed in October 2024 (2.6 per 1,000) and September 2025 (2.6 per 1,000). Conversely, August 2025 registered the highest rate at 4.3 per 1,000. This trend, despite the overall low crime rate, suggests that residents should remain aware of local safety advice and consider reinforcing their home security.

When Do Crimes Happen in Harpenden?

Understanding peak crime times helps you stay vigilant and secure your property when it matters most.

Simulated Data

This heatmap shows estimated crime patterns based on Harpenden's crime statistics, crime type distribution, and general knowledge of when different crimes typically occur. This is not real historical data for specific times.

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Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Crime Likelihood:
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

Pro Tip: Burglaries peak on weekday evenings (6pm-midnight) and during work hours (10am-3pm) when homes appear empty. scOS smart security stays alert around the clock — detecting threats instantly, whether you're home or away.

What Types of Crime Happen When in Harpenden?

Different crimes occur at different times. This breakdown shows which crime types dominate each time period.

Based on Crime-Type Weighted Model

Morning

6am - 12pm

Theft42%
Vehicle Crime23%
Other18%
Burglary16%
Violence0%

Morning hours in Harpenden show notable theft, vehicle crime, and burglary activity.

Afternoon

12pm - 6pm

Theft46%
Burglary28%
Other17%
Vehicle Crime8%
Violence0%

Afternoons see a concentration of theft and burglary, often during unattended periods.

Evening

6pm - 12am

Other30%
Burglary26%
Vehicle Crime25%
Theft19%
Violence0%

Evening crime in Harpenden is varied, with 'Other' crimes, burglary, and vehicle incidents.

Night

12am - 6am

Vehicle Crime50%
Burglary26%
Other17%
Theft7%
Violence0%

Night-time is marked by high vehicle crime and burglary rates, reflecting overnight vulnerabilities.

Simulated Data - Crime-Type Weighted Model

These crime patterns are estimated using the Crime Survey for England and Wales (ONS) time-of-day data, weighted by Harpenden's specific crime type distribution from Police.uk. This is not real historical data for specific times in Harpenden, but a model-generated estimate based on the area's crime composition and national timing patterns.

Time Patterns in Harpenden

Crime in Harpenden exhibits specific time-based patterns. Morning hours (6am - 12pm) are characterised by significant theft (42%), vehicle crime (23%), and burglary (16%). In the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft (46%) and burglary (28%) remain prominent. During the evening (6pm - 12am), "Other" crime types become more frequent at 30%, alongside notable burglary (26%) and vehicle crime (25%). Night-time (12am - 6am) sees vehicle crime rise to 50%, with burglary also a considerable factor at 26%. These insights can help residents understand when specific risks are higher.

Crime Rates Near St Albans

Stevenage

9.2 miles

108.7
per 1,000
High Risk

Watford

10.2 miles

108.0
per 1,000
High Risk

Welwyn Hatfield

7.9 miles

100.7
per 1,000
High Risk

Hertsmere

9.9 miles

97.0
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Luton

6.1 miles

95.4
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Dacorum

9.2 miles

90.6
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Crime Rate Risk Levels

Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

Explore Nearby Areas

Lea Valley

1.4 miles

0.0
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Kinsbourne Green

2.3 miles

0.0
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Blackmore End

2.4 miles

0.0
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Redbourn

2.4 miles

70.7
per 1,000
Low Risk

Police Response Times in Harpenden

How quickly do police respond to emergencies?

Grade 1 (Immediate)

Emergency 999 calls requiring immediate attendance — crimes in progress, threat to life, or serious injury.

Grade 2 (Priority)

Serious incidents needing prompt response but no immediate threat to life — recent crimes, vulnerable victims.

Grade 1 - Immediate

Emergency Response

14 minActual
Actual
14 min
Target
15 min
UK Average
15 min
1 min faster than target

Grade 2 - Priority

Priority Response

2h 20mActual
Actual
2h 20m
Target
1h
UK Average
1h
1h 20m slower than target

Active Officers

2,379

Each = 500 officers

Police Stations

Pending

Station count data is being collected

Why Response Time Matters

The average burglary takes just 8-10 minutes. Even when police respond quickly, burglars are often gone before anyone arrives.

scOS spots trouble the moment it starts — your lights come on, sirens sound, and you get an alert on your phone. Burglars don't stick around when they've lost the element of surprise.

2024 data
Source: FOI Request

How Does Harpenden Compare?

Consett

86.5
crimes per 1,000 people
125.8% higher than Harpenden

Penarth

54.1
crimes per 1,000 people
41.3% higher than Harpenden

Larkfield

69.0
crimes per 1,000 people
80.2% higher than Harpenden

Shipley (Bradford)

137.2
crimes per 1,000 people
258.2% higher than Harpenden

Crime in Nearby Areas

To contextualise Harpenden's safety, its crime rate of 38.3 per 1,000 and safety score of 92/100 can be compared with nearby areas such as Lea Valley, Kinsbourne Green, Blackmore End, and Redbourn. Harpenden consistently demonstrates a much lower crime rate and higher safety score than many surrounding regions, reinforcing its reputation as a secure and desirable place to live. This regional comparison offers valuable perspective for those assessing local safety.

Why scOS Is Different From Every Other Security System

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Zero false alarms

Traditional CCTV

  • •Records crime as it happens
  • •Motion alerts for every shadow, leaf, or car passing by
  • •You discover break-in hours later or are in the middle of it
  • •Hope police can use the footage

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  • •Stops threats before they reach your door
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Protecting Your Home in Harpenden

Even with Harpenden's low property crime rate of 18.3 per 1,000 residents, maintaining robust home security is essential for peace of mind. Standard security cameras typically only record incidents after they've happened, providing evidence but not preventing the crime itself. True protection comes from deterring threats proactively. Consider upgrading to an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS. This innovative system detects potential intruders at your property's perimeter, preventing a break-in before it occurs. Unlike basic DIY solutions, scOS offers real-time intervention, leveraging multi-camera intelligence and features such as DVLA vehicle verification. Professional-grade security acts as a strong deterrent, making burglars reconsider and move on within the critical first minute, thereby safeguarding your property effectively.

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Understanding Our Data

How we source and verify crime information for Harpenden

4,392+
Areas Covered
19M+
Crime Records
100%
Official Sources

Understanding the Calculations

The crime rate represents the number of recorded incidents per thousand residents in Harpenden. This approach ensures fair comparison regardless of area population size.

Our Information

All statistics come from official government sources: Police.uk provides recorded crime data while the Office for National Statistics supplies population figures. We aggregate data at multiple geographic levels for context.

Formula Used

Crimes per 1k residents = (Total incidents ÷ Population) × 1,000

Our statistics derive entirely from UK government databases:

  • Police.uk — Crime records from territorial police forces across England and Wales (43 total)
  • Office for National Statistics — Population statistics and the Crime Survey for England and Wales
  • Home Office — Nationwide crime data and official policy records
  • FOI Requests — Additional statistics obtained via formal requests to police services
Our system covers 4,392+ areas across England and Wales, including major urban centers, towns, and administrative regions. Data for Greater Manchester is currently unavailable. We refresh statistics immediately when official sources publish updates (generally every 8 weeks) and maintain archives for historical analysis.
Police.ukONSHome OfficeFOI

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

Spotted incorrect data or something that doesn't look right? Let us know and we'll investigate.

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