Local Area Crime Statistics

Watford Crime Rate

Crime is stable and HIGH in Watford

Watford's crime rate is 108.0 per 1,000, with a safety score of 76/100. Understand local crime statistics and trends for a safer Watford.

Overall Crime Rate

108.0
per 1,000 people
16% higher than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

39.0
per 1,000 people
17% higher than UK avg

Based on population of 107,171 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Watford

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

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Watford
Overall Crime Rate108 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate39 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score76 out of 100
Population107,171
Trendstable
Comparisonsignificantly higher than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Watford
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences3,78535.333%
Anti-social behaviour2,32721.720%
Other theft9358.78%
Shoplifting8888.38%
Criminal damage and arson7707.27%
Vehicle crime7336.86%
Public order6826.46%
Burglary32533%
Drugs3062.93%
Theft from the person1971.82%
Other crime1851.72%
Bicycle theft1701.61%
Robbery1641.51%
Possession of weapons11011%

Introduction to Crime in Watford

Watford, with a population of 107,171, records an overall crime rate of 108.0 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure is slightly higher than the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000. The area's safety score stands at 76 out of 100, indicating a relatively good level of safety, though it is marginally below the UK average safety score of 78/100. Recent data indicates that crime in Watford has remained stable, with a year-over-year change of 4.6%. This introduction provides a snapshot of crime in Watford, setting the stage for a more detailed analysis of specific crime types, trends, and comparisons with neighbouring areas.

Watford Safety Score

76
Moderate
Safety Score out of 100

Watford's safety score is below the UK average. Protect what matters most with AI that thinks ahead of criminals.

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

Crime Rates Across Watford

Watford (Watford)

99.5
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Crime Rate Risk Levels

Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

About Watford

Watford is a significant urban centre in Hertfordshire, characterised by a mix of residential neighbourhoods, a bustling town centre, and commercial zones. Its strategic location with excellent transport links, including the M1 and M25 motorways and a mainline railway station connecting to London, contributes to a dynamic and often transient population. The town's vibrant retail sector, numerous businesses, and leisure facilities attract both residents and visitors, which can influence crime patterns, particularly related to theft and public order offences. As a hub for employment and entertainment, these characteristics collectively play a role in shaping Watford's crime statistics and overall safety profile.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
3,785 incidents (35.3 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
2,327 incidents (21.7 per 1,000)
Other theft
935 incidents (8.7 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
888 incidents (8.3 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
770 incidents (7.2 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
733 incidents (6.8 per 1,000)
Public order
682 incidents (6.4 per 1,000)
Burglary
325 incidents (3 per 1,000)
Drugs
306 incidents (2.9 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
197 incidents (1.8 per 1,000)
Other crime
185 incidents (1.7 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
170 incidents (1.6 per 1,000)
Robbery
164 incidents (1.5 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
110 incidents (1 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

↓ 3.3% change(over 12 months)
Watford
UK Average

Compare Watford with similar populations

Watford has a 15.6% higher crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Breakdown in Watford

An analysis of crime types in Watford reveals that Violence and sexual offences represent the most significant category, accounting for 3,785 incidents or 32.7% of all reported crimes, at a rate of 35.3 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most prevalent issue, with 2,327 incidents, making up 20.1% of the total and a rate of 21.7 per 1,000. 'Other theft' follows as the third most common, with 935 reported crimes, or 8.1% of the total. Regarding property-related crime, Watford experiences a rate of 39.0 per 1,000 people per year. This encompasses categories such as burglary (325 incidents), theft from the person (197 incidents), criminal damage and arson (770 incidents), bicycle theft (170 incidents), vehicle crime (733 incidents), other theft (935 incidents), and robbery (164 incidents). For residents and homeowners, understanding these figures is crucial, as property crime can directly impact personal safety and financial security. It highlights the importance of securing homes and vehicles against these common threats.

Crime Trends in Watford

Over the past year, Watford has experienced a stable crime trend, with a year-over-year change of 4.6%. Examining the monthly crime rates reveals some fluctuations throughout the period. Crime rates per 1,000 residents began at 9.0 in October 2024, showing a slight dip to 7.9 in December before rising to 9.4 in March 2025. A notable peak occurred in July 2025, reaching 11.1 crimes per 1,000, followed by a decrease to 8.7 by September 2025. This stable trend, with minor monthly variations, suggests that while there haven't been dramatic shifts in overall crime levels, residents should remain aware of these fluctuations. The higher rates observed in certain summer months, such as July, might indicate seasonal patterns that could warrant increased vigilance during those periods.

Crime in Nearby Areas

Understanding Watford's crime landscape benefits from comparison with its neighbouring areas. To the west, Three Rivers and Hertsmere share borders, offering a blend of suburban and rural characteristics. Further afield, but still within the regional context, are Harrow and Barnet, both London boroughs that typically present more urban crime profiles. To the north, St Albans and Dacorum represent other significant towns in Hertfordshire, each with their own unique demographic and economic influences on crime rates. While specific comparative statistics for these areas are not detailed here, considering Watford within this regional framework highlights its position as a significant urban centre. This regional perspective is valuable for residents who might commute or frequently visit these areas, providing a broader understanding of safety across the wider region.

Protecting Your Property in Watford

Given Watford's property crime rate of 39.0 per 1,000 people, prioritising robust home security is a sensible consideration for residents. While traditional CCTV systems offer a record of incidents, true protection lies in prevention. Instead of merely documenting a burglary, modern security solutions like scOS are designed to stop threats before they escalate. This AI-powered home security operating system proactively detects intruders at your property boundary, rather than after they've gained entry. Unlike basic DIY systems that alert you after the fact, a professional-grade solution intervenes in real-time. With multi-camera intelligence, DVLA vehicle verification, and pattern learning, scOS is engineered to recognise genuine threats and activate an autonomous response, using lights and speakers to deter potential criminals. Most burglars make a decision within 60 seconds; a visible, proactive deterrent can make them move on, preventing the crime from happening in the first place. Choosing professional security signifies serious protection, offering peace of mind by shifting from a reactive approach to a truly preventative one.

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About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for Watford

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.uk — Recorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National Statistics — Demographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home Office — National offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI Requests — Supplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.
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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