Is Watford Safe in 2024?
Watford is a town in Hertfordshire, England, that is known for its strategic location, transport links, and football team. But how safe is it to live, work, or visit Watford? This article will explore the crime statistics, safety ratings, and local opinions of Watford, and compare it with other towns and cities in the UK.
Crime Rate in Watford
One of the most objective ways to measure the safety of a place is to look at the crime statistics. According to CrimeRate(2022), a website that provides crime and safety data for the UK, Watford is the second most dangerous major town in Hertfordshire, and is among the top 10 most dangerous overall out of Hertfordshire’s 140 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Watford in 2024 was 57.6 crimes per 1,000 people.
The most common crimes in Watford are violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 4,410 offences in 2022, giving a crime rate of 31 per 1,000 residents. This is 9% higher than the previous year, and 19% higher than the national average of 26 per 1,000 residents1. Other prevalent crimes in Watford include anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson, and vehicle crime.
However, not all crimes are equally distributed across Watford. Some areas are more prone to certain types of offences than others. For example, Watford had the worst crime rate in Hertfordshire for bicycle theft, burglary, and criminal damage and arson in some months of 2022. The crime map provided by CrimeRate shows the locations and types of crimes reported in Watford between January 2022 and December 2023. The map reveals that the town centre, the industrial estates, and the areas near the railway station are the most crime-ridden areas in Watford.
Watford Safety Ratings
Another way to assess the safety of a place is to look at the safety ratings given by various sources. These ratings are based on different criteria and methods, such as surveys, reviews, or algorithms. They may also reflect different aspects of safety, such as personal safety, road safety, or health safety. Here are some examples of safety ratings for Watford from different sources:
- Numbeo is a website that collects user-generated data on various aspects of living in different cities around the world, including safety. Numbeo gives Watford a safety index of 63.54, which means that it is moderately safe. The safety index is calculated based on the perceived crime rates and quality of life of the users. A higher index means a safer place. Numbeo also provides a breakdown of the safety index by different categories, such as walking alone during daylight or night, or worries about being mugged or robbed. According to Numbeo, Watford is safer than London, Birmingham, and Manchester, but less safe than Cambridge, Oxford, and Edinburgh.
- Destination Scanner is a website that provides information and advice on various aspects of living in different cities around the world, including safety. Destination Scanner gives Watford a safety score of 7.5 out of 10, which means that it is relatively safe. The safety score is based on the crime rates, the police presence, and the local opinions of the users. A higher score means a safer place. Destination Scanner also provides a summary of the pros and cons of living in Watford, as well as some tips and recommendations for staying safe.
- Varbes is a website that provides crime statistics and graphs for different areas in the UK, including Watford. Varbes gives Watford a crime score of 3.8 out of 10, which means that it is quite unsafe. The crime score is based on the crime rates, the crime trends, and the crime types of the area. A lower score means a more dangerous place. Varbes also provides a comparison of Watford’s crime statistics with other non-metropolitan districts in England, as well as a detailed analysis of the crime types and trends in Watford.
Local Opinions About Safety
A third way to evaluate the safety of a place is to listen to the local opinions of the people who live, work, or visit there. These opinions may be subjective and biased, but they can also provide valuable insights and perspectives that may not be captured by the statistics or ratings. Here are some examples of local opinions of Watford from different sources:
- Watford Observer is a local newspaper that covers news, events, and opinions in Watford and the surrounding areas. In 2018, Watford Observer published an article that ranked Watford as the second worst place for a night out in the UK, according to a study by StagWeb, a website that organises stag parties. The study was based on the nightlife options, the cost of drinks, the safety ratings, and the reviews of the users. The article quoted some of the negative reviews of Watford’s nightlife, such as “boring”, “dull”, and “full of chavs”. However, the article also mentioned some of the positive aspects of Watford, such as the cultural diversity, the shopping facilities, and the proximity to London.
- TripAdvisor is a website that provides travel information and reviews for various destinations around the world, including Watford. TripAdvisor has a forum where users can ask and answer questions about Watford, as well as a section where users can rate and review the attractions, hotels, restaurants, and activities in Watford. According to TripAdvisor, Watford has a rating of 3.5 out of 5, which means that it is average. The ratings vary depending on the category and the individual reviews. Some of the positive reviews of Watford praise its parks, museums, theatres, and markets, while some of the negative reviews criticise its traffic, pollution, and crime.
- Reddit is a website that hosts online communities where users can post and discuss various topics, including Watford. Reddit has a subreddit called r/Watford, where users can share and comment on news, events, and opinions related to Watford. According to Reddit, Watford has a mixed reputation among its users. Some of the positive comments of Watford highlight its diversity, friendliness, and convenience, while some of the negative comments of Watford mention its ugliness, expensiveness, and violence.
Is Watford Safe at Night?
One of the common concerns that people have about the safety of a place is how safe it is at night. Nighttime can pose different risks and challenges than daytime, such as reduced visibility, increased alcohol consumption, and fewer witnesses. Therefore, it is important to know how to stay safe in Watford at night, whether you are going out for a drink, a meal, or a show, or just returning home from work or travel.
According to the crime statistics, Watford has a higher rate of violence and sexual offences than the national average, and these crimes tend to peak at night, especially on weekends. The town centre, the industrial estates, and the areas near the railway station are the most likely places to encounter such crimes, as they are more crowded, noisy, and dark. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid these areas at night, or to travel with a group of friends, or to use a licensed taxi or public transport.
According to the safety ratings, Watford is moderately safe at night, but not as safe as some other towns and cities in the UK. Numbeo gives Watford a score of 53.85 for walking alone at night, which means that it is somewhat unsafe. Destination Scanner gives Watford a score of 6.5 for nightlife safety, which means that it is fairly safe. Varbes gives Watford a score of 3.2 for night crime, which means that it is quite unsafe.
According to the local opinions, Watford has a mixed reputation for its nightlife. Some people enjoy the variety of pubs, clubs, restaurants, and theatres that Watford has to offer, while others complain about the lack of quality, the high prices, and the rowdy crowds. Some people feel safe and comfortable in Watford at night, while others feel uneasy and threatened. The general consensus is that Watford is not the best place for a night out, but neither is it the worst.
Is Watford Safe to Live in 2024?
Another common question that people have about the safety of a place is how safe it is to live there. Living in a place involves more than just visiting it for a short time, as it involves making a long-term commitment, investing in a property, and becoming part of a community. Therefore, it is important to know how safe Watford is to live in, whether you are planning to move there, or already living there, or just curious about it.
According to the crime statistics, Watford has a higher crime rate than the Hertfordshire and the national averages, and the crime rate has increased by 9% from the previous year. However in 2024, Watford is still safer than some other major towns and cities in the UK, such as London, Birmingham, and Manchester. The crime rate also varies depending on the area, with some neighbourhoods being safer than others. According to Varbes, the safest neighbourhoods in Watford.
Reliable Service Providers in Watford
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