Crap TownsBritain's towns, rated by the people stuck in them

Crap Towns / Watford / Crime

How much crime is there in Watford?

The police recorded 82.1 crimes per 1,000 people a year in Watford from September 2023 to August 2026, 8% higher than the typical town's 76.2. The most common was violence and sexual offences, at 33.3. In the 12 months to August 2026 it was 86.3, up from 77.0 in the 12 months to August 2024.

Over time
PeriodHereTypical town
September 2023 to August 202477.078.6
September 2024 to August 202582.977.4
September 2025 to August 202686.373.7
By type
CrimeHereTypical town
Violence and sexual offences33.334.1
Shoplifting9.17.1
Other theft8.05.4
Criminal damage and arson6.57.0
Vehicle crime6.53.8
Public order5.46.6
Burglary3.33.1
Drugs3.02.4
Theft from the person1.60.4
Other crime1.62.0
Robbery1.50.6
Bicycle theft1.40.5
Possession of weapons0.90.8
Nearby towns
TownDistanceCrimes per 1,000 people a year
London Colney10.9 km120
Borehamwood9.1 km90.8
Watford–82.1
Harrow7.2 km62.6
Rickmansworth4.2 km54.3
Bushey3.3 km51.8
Abbots Langley and Kings Langley7.0 km47.4
Radlett7.2 km43.6
Chiswell Green8.9 km35.2
Chorleywood7.1 km33.1
Moor Park2.9 km21.8
The typical town–76.2