Stratford St Mary Crime Rate

Stratford St Mary is a highly secure urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 26.6 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1, earning the area an excellent safety score of 94/100. For context, the UK average safety score is 78, placing this area well above the national norm for security. The crime trend in Stratford St Mary is currently stable, showing a 0.0% change year-over-year, which indicates a consistent and predictable safety profile. For residents and potential homeowners, the data describes a community where crime is infrequent and safety is a defining characteristic of the local environment.

In Stratford St Mary, the crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 28.1% of all reports, or 7.5 per 1,000 residents. Burglary follows closely as the second most frequent crime at 25.0%, with criminal damage and arson representing 21.9% of the total. This mix suggests that while personal offences are the most common, property-related threats are a very close second.

Property crime as a whole—including burglary, vehicle crime, and theft—is a significant concern for the area, with a rate of 16.6 per 1,000 residents. While this is lower than the UK average of 32.9, the high proportion of burglary is notable. Burglary accounts for a quarter of all reported incidents, which is a higher percentage than in many similar settlements. Vehicle crime also makes up 12.5% of the local total. For residents, these statistics highlight that home and vehicle security should be top priorities, as opportunistic property offences constitute a large part of the local crime landscape. Ensuring that homes are visibly secure is essential in this environment.

The crime trend in Stratford St Mary is currently stable, with a 0.0% change year-over-year. This consistency is a positive indicator for the area, suggesting that crime levels are not escalating. Monthly data for 2025 shows that the crime rate fluctuates between 0.8 and 4.2 per 1,000 residents.

The highest activity was recorded in March and September 2025, both seeing 4.2 crimes per 1,000. Conversely, months like December 2024, June 2025, and October 2025 saw very low rates of 0.8. This pattern of occasional small peaks followed by very quiet months is typical for a low-crime residential village. For homeowners, this stability means that the overall safety profile of the area remains reliable and predictable.

How To Keep Safe in Stratford St Mary

The most common crime in Stratford St Mary is violence and sexual offences, but burglary and criminal damage follow closely behind. Maintaining safety in this quiet village involves both personal awareness and property vigilance.

1. Secure Your Home During the Day: With over 53% of afternoon crimes being burglaries, it is vital to lock all doors and windows even if you are only stepping out for a short time. Opportunistic intruders often target homes that look empty during working hours.
2. Vehicle Security: Vehicle crime accounts for 12.5% of local reports and peaks at night. Always park in well-lit areas, ensure windows are fully closed, and never leave valuables in sight.
3. Motion-Activated Lighting: Install lighting around the perimeter of your property. Bright, sudden light is a powerful deterrent for intruders who prefer to operate under the cover of darkness.
4. Community Watch: Stay connected with your neighbours. In a small settlement like Stratford St Mary, residents are often the best resource for spotting and reporting unusual activity or vehicles.
5. Protect Your Perimeter: Ensure that gates are locked and fences are in good repair. A well-defined and secured boundary is the first step in discouraging opportunistic property crime.

Crime in Stratford St Mary shows a strong correlation with specific times of day. During the morning (6am-12pm), burglary is the main concern, accounting for 34% of reports. This risk intensifies significantly in the afternoon (12pm-6pm), where burglary reaches a peak of 53% of all crimes committed in that period.

The evening hours (6pm-12am) see burglary remain high at 38%, while 'other' crimes—often including criminal damage—make up 46%. The night-time period (12am-6am) is particularly notable for property crime; burglary accounts for 42% of reports, and vehicle crime reaches its highest frequency at 28%. This data suggests that properties are most vulnerable when residents are away during the afternoon or asleep at night, with vehicle security being a specific concern during the early hours.

Stratford St Mary (26.6 crimes per 1,000) compares favourably with several of its larger neighbours. It is significantly safer than East Bergholt, which has a rate of 40.9, and Langham in Colchester, which recorded 63.8. While very small nearby hamlets like Dedham and Lamb Corner recorded zero crimes in the same period, Stratford St Mary remains one of the more secure established villages in the Stour Valley region. Its stable crime rate and high safety score make it a robust choice for those seeking a secure residential location near the Essex and Suffolk border.

With a property crime rate of 16.6 per 1,000 people, Stratford St Mary is a low-crime area, yet property offences like burglary and vehicle crime make up a substantial portion of the local reports. The limitation of traditional security—such as standard alarms or smart doorbells—is that they are often reactive. They notify you after someone has already approached your door or forced entry.

For residents in Stratford St Mary, proactive protection offers a significant advantage. Systems like scOS use AI-powered multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's boundaries in real-time. By detecting a potential intruder at the perimeter, scOS can intervene before any entry is attempted. The system can autonomously activate high-intensity lighting or audio deterrents, destroying the element of surprise that burglars rely on. In an area where burglary accounts for 25% of all crime and peaks during the afternoon and night, this ability to prevent a break-in before it happens is the most effective way to ensure home security.