Police data for 2022 shows the most common types of crime and the busiest months for police.

Statistics for all months except December have been released on Police.uk for 2022, showing the crimes reported in Watford town centre.

In the last 12 months 1297 violent or sexual offences were reported, alongside 1010 incidents of anti-social behaviour and 525 shoplifting reports, according to the statistics.

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This was followed by “other theft” (369), theft from the person (234), public order (224), criminal damage and arson (212), vehicle crime (180), bicycle theft (178), drugs (116), burglary (89), robbery (64), possession of weapons (53), and then “other crime” (41).

Responding to the figures, Watford Chief Inspector Diane Whiteside said: "We fully understand the impact that crime of any kind has on victims and the wider community as a whole. Hertfordshire continues to remain one of the safest counties in the country and we’re committed to keeping it that way."

Investigations were completed without a suspect being identified in 1528 cases, 1010 were listed as “other”, there were 978 times police were unable to prosecute a suspect, and 453 suspects remain under investigation.

Police are awaiting a court outcome for 157 incidents, 67 court results are unavailable, a local resolution was reached 65 times, on 50 occasions an offender was given a caution, and “further action was not in the public interest” six times.

August saw the most reports with 447 and June came in second at 444.

February was the quietest, with 331 reports, followed by 342 reports in May.

View the full data at: Police.uk

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary explained about half of the violent crimes were recorded as violent crimes without injury and not all were random stranger attacks, as domestic abuse offences are included.

"With a national focus on violence against women and girls in recent times, we’ve taken steps to encourage people to feel more comfortable and confident in reporting such crimes to us", Ch Insp Whiteside added.

The force highlighted anti-social behaviour figures includes incidents such as loud noise at night and nuisance behaviour and that outcomes for crimes committed in recent months may not have been updated at this time.

Ch Insp Whiteside added: "We appreciate this kind of behaviour can cause misery for people living or working in the affected area and our three dedicated Safer Neighbourhood Teams will always do whatever they can to alleviate the issues."