Bedford vs Hertford — Crime Comparison 2026

Side-by-side crime statistics from official UK Police data.

Bedford

MK40 · Bedford Borough

600

crimes in April 2026

Above national average

  • Violence & sexual offences213
  • Anti-social behaviour98
  • Shoplifting79

Hertford

SG14 · Hertfordshire

89

crimes in April 2026

Below national average

  • Violence & sexual offences29
  • Anti-social behaviour19
  • Shoplifting13

Hertford has less crime — 89 vs 600 incidents in April 2026.

What the data shows

Bedford recorded substantially more crime than Hertford in April 2026 — 600 incidents compared to 89, a 6.7x difference. Both areas share Violence & sexual offences as their most common crime type, though Bedford records significantly more (213 vs 29 incidents). Bedford sits above the national average for recorded crime while Hertford is below — a significant gap for anyone weighing up the two.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Bedford or Hertford safer?

Based on April 2026 Police data, Hertford recorded fewer crimes than Bedford — 89 vs 600 incidents. That is 85% fewer crimes. Hertford is also below the national average for crime.

What are the main differences in crime between Bedford and Hertford?

Both areas share Violence & sexual offences as their top crime category. In April 2026, Bedford recorded 213 incidents of this type vs 29 in Hertford. Overall, Hertford had fewer total crimes (89 vs 600).

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