Postcode area · Watford
Crime in WD
How much crime is recorded in WD, what kind, and how it compares with the rest of the country.
- Council
- Watford
- Region
- East of England
- Population
- 314,723 (2024)
WDPostcode area · Watford
How safe is WD
Higher-harm crime (violence, robbery, burglary, vehicle crime and weapons offences) runs at 26.6 offences per 1,000 people a year in WD, below the 31.1 average across England and Wales. That puts it in band 5 of 10 against all council areas.
Higher-harm crime band
5/ 10
Lowest crimeHighest crime
Around the middle of council areas in England and Wales.
Higher-harm
26.6
Per 1,000 a year · England & Wales 31.1
All crime
59
Per 1,000 a year · England & Wales 67
What crime is recorded
Recorded offences per 1,000 people a year (counting both residents and people who work locally, or per 1,000 households for burglary).
WDNational
Violence and sexual offences20.123.6
Anti-social behaviour11.910.7
Burglary8.49.1
Shoplifting6.38.4
Other theft4.94.5
Criminal damage and arson3.64.7
Public order3.54.6
Vehicle crime3.33.5
Drugs2.52.4
Other crime1.01.5
Bicycle theft1.01.0
Theft from the person0.92.1
Robbery0.91.4
Possession of weapons0.60.9
Higher-harm crime over time
It has risen 8% since 2022.
Higher-harm crimes per 1,000
0
10
20
30
2022202320242025
Source: data.police.uk street-level crime, resolved to neighbourhoods. Rates cover September 2025 to August 2026, the latest twelve months published.