Harlow, with a high crime rating, is ranked 7th among 25 nearby districts based on crime rates. In 2023, there were 11,975 crimes reported in a population of 93,328, leading to a crime rate of 128.31 per 1,000 residents, which reflects a 6.6% decrease from the previous year.
The most frequently reported crimes in Harlow are Violence and sexual offences (37.4%), Vehicle crime (10.3%), and Public order offences (8.0%), with the least common being possession of weapons, robbery, and theft from the person.
In Harlow’s 11 wards, Toddbrook (283.8), Mark Hall (186.4), and Staple Tye (162.8) exhibit the highest crime rates, while Harlow Common, Great Parndon, and Church Langley are the safest areas.
Looking at postcode districts within or overlapping Harlow, CM20 (207.8), CM18 (115.7), and CM19 (87.6) have the highest crime rates, as opposed to CM19, CM17, and CM21, which are the safest.
In Harlow, there was an initial rise in Anti-social behaviour, Shoplifting, Vehicle crime, and Violence and sexual offences in 2020 and 2021. However, there has been a significant decrease in anti-social behaviour, along with reductions in other theft, public order offences in 2023, and a notable decrease in violence and sexual offences by 2023, indicating a varied crime trend over the years.