Hatfield Heath Crime Rate

Hatfield Heath is a highly secure village in the Uttlesford district, featuring a low crime rate of 37.1 per 1,000 residents. This figure is significantly better than the UK national average of 93.1, earning the area an outstanding safety score of 91/100. The crime trend in Hatfield Heath is currently stable, with a slight 2.6% decrease year-over-year, indicating a consistent and safe environment for its residents. While overall crime levels are very low, understanding the specific patterns of local incidents can help homeowners maintain this high standard of security. The following analysis provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, seasonal trends, and timing to help residents and homeowners understand the safety landscape in Hatfield Heath.

In Hatfield Heath, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 33.8% of all reported incidents. This is followed by shoplifting at 16.2% and vehicle crime at 10.8%. These three categories represent the most significant areas of police activity in the village. Property crime as a whole—including burglary, theft, and vehicle crime—has a combined rate of 17.0 per 1,000 residents. Within this group, burglary makes up 8.1% of total crime. For homeowners, these figures suggest that while Hatfield Heath is very safe, protecting vehicles and homes from opportunistic theft is a practical necessity. The relatively high percentage of shoplifting suggests that commercial areas are the main focus for theft, while residential security should focus on deterring vehicle crime and burglary, which show specific patterns throughout the day and night.

Hatfield Heath is currently maintaining a stable safety profile, with a minor 2.6% year-over-year decrease in total crime. Analysis of monthly data reveals some fluctuations, with a peak of 6.5 incidents per 1,000 in January 2025 and another high of 4.5 in October 2025. These peaks were offset by very low rates in months like July 2025 (0.5). Overall, the trend is consistent and low, which is a reassuring sign for the community. This stability, coupled with the village's already low baseline, confirms that Hatfield Heath is successfully maintaining its status as a very safe place to live within the Uttlesford district.

How To Keep Safe in Hatfield Heath

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crime type in Hatfield Heath, accounting for nearly 34% of the total. To enhance your personal safety within the community:

1. Maintain good situational awareness when walking, especially during the evening, and stick to well-lit, familiar routes.
2. Ensure your home's exterior is well-lit with motion-activated lighting, which can deter both antisocial behaviour and more serious offences.
3. If you are out late, try to travel with others or use well-trafficked routes that are familiar to you.
4. Be aware of your surroundings in public spaces and avoid displaying high-value items like expensive jewellery or smartphones.
5. Report any instances of harassment or suspicious loitering to the police promptly; community reporting is vital for effective local policing and prevention.

Crime timing in Hatfield Heath shows clear variations throughout the day. In the morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft-related offences are common, accounting for 18% and 20% of incidents respectively. As the day transitions into evening and night, the risk profile shifts toward property crime. Burglary reaches its highest relative frequency in the afternoon at 43%, and remains high in the evening and night at around 30%. Furthermore, vehicle crime spikes significantly at night (12am-6am), making up 48% of all incidents reported during those hours. This indicates that while the village is active during the day, properties and vehicles are at their most vulnerable during the late-night and early-morning periods.

In the local context of Uttlesford, Hatfield Heath is one of the safest settlements. It is considerably more secure than nearby Hatfield Broad Oak, which has a crime rate of 65.1 per 1,000, and Little Hallingbury, which stands at 42.5. While very small hamlets like Sheering and Matching Green reported zero crimes, Hatfield Heath's rate of 37.1 is remarkably low for a village with its amenities and population. For those seeking a safe, residential community in the area, Hatfield Heath stands out as a premier choice, providing a high level of security that far exceeds both the local and national averages.

With a property crime rate of 17.0 per 1,000 in Hatfield Heath, homeowners should focus on proactive prevention. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are reactive, often only alerting you once someone is already at your door, providing footage of a crime rather than preventing it. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, offers a superior alternative by focusing on prevention. Using multi-camera intelligence, scOS detects potential threats at your property boundary. It can distinguish between regular visitors and suspicious activity, and its autonomous response—activating lights or audio alerts—destroys the element of surprise for intruders. For Hatfield Heath residents, especially given that burglary risk peaks in the afternoon and vehicle crime at night, an AI system that provides real-time intervention is the most effective way to ensure your home is not an easy target. Moving from reactive recording to proactive AI protection is essential for maintaining safety in an area where property crime remains a factor.