Crays Hill Crime Rate

Crime and Safety in Crays Hill

Crays Hill is a secure settlement in Essex, with an overall crime rate of 83.3 per 1,000 people per year. This is lower than the UK national average of 93.1. Reflecting this, the area has a high safety score of 80/100, which is above the UK average of 78. The current crime trend is increasing, having seen a 29.7% change year-over-year. For the 1,836 residents, these statistics paint a picture of a safe community where the risk of falling victim to crime is lower than the national average, although the recent increasing trend suggests a need for heightened awareness.

Crime Type Analysis for Crays Hill

In Crays Hill, violence and sexual offences represent the most significant portion of reported crime, accounting for 33.3% of all incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 13.1% and vehicle crime at 11.1%. These figures suggest that while Crays Hill is a safe settlement, person-based offences and vehicle-related incidents are the primary challenges for local law enforcement.

Property-related crime in Crays Hill—which encompasses burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage—occurs at a rate of 33.8 per 1,000 residents. This is very close to the UK average of 32.9, making it a key concern for local homeowners. Within this category, vehicle crime and 'other theft' are notable factors, each making up 11.1% of total crimes (9.3 per 1,000 people). Burglary accounts for 9.2% and criminal damage for 8.5%. For residents, this indicates that property and vehicle security are critical considerations, especially at night when vehicle crime intensity peaks at 50%.

Crime Trends in Crays Hill

Crays Hill’s crime rate has increased over the last 12 months, with a 29.7% change. Monthly data shows some fluctuation, with a notable peak in July 2025 at 12.0 crimes per 1,000 people, following an earlier spike in June at 9.8. The lowest rate was recorded in September 2025 at 3.3.

The end of 2025 saw the rate peak in October at 9.3. This overall upward trend suggests a need for heightened awareness and proactive security measures. For residents, this predictability is a positive indicator of long-term safety and community stability. The recent increasing trend confirms Crays Hill's status as a safe but active community in Essex.

How To Keep Safe in Crays Hill

With violence and sexual offences being the most prevalent crime type in Crays Hill, alongside a notable risk of vehicle crime at night, residents should focus on personal and vehicle safety:

• Be aware of your surroundings when walking through the area, particularly during the evening.
• Ensure your vehicle is parked in a well-lit area or a secure garage, as vehicle crime is a significant nighttime factor.
• Never leave valuables on display in your car, as this can attract opportunistic theft, which accounts for a high percentage of daytime crime.
• Report any instances of anti-social behaviour or criminal damage to the local police to help them maintain the area’s safe environment.
• When walking at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through unlit areas or alleyways.

In Crays Hill, crime patterns vary significantly by time of day. Theft is the dominant crime during the morning and afternoon, accounting for 43-48% of all incidents. As night falls, the risk of vehicle crime increases dramatically, accounting for 25% of evening crimes and a significant 50% of all incidents between 12am and 6am. Burglary also remains a factor throughout the night, accounting for 26-28% of reports. This clear shift highlights that while daytime crime is mostly retail-related, the night brings a very high risk of vehicle-related offences.

Local Safety Comparison

Crays Hill's crime rate of 83.3 per 1,000 people is much lower than the major urban centre of Basildon (124.1). It is, however, higher than nearby Wickford (64.3) and Noak Hill (37.3). Smaller nearby settlements like Ramsden Bellhouse and Nevendon record rates of 0.0. These comparisons highlight Crays Hill's status as a safe residential area that offers a good level of security, although it experiences more activity than some of its more rural neighbours.

Securing Your Crays Hill Home

Crays Hill’s property crime rate of 33.8 per 1,000 is close to the national average, and the 11.1% vehicle crime rate with its 50% intensity at night suggests that proactive protection is valuable. Traditional security cameras are often reactive, providing footage only after a crime has occurred. In an area like Crays Hill, where residents value their security, a proactive system is far more effective.

The scOS operating system provides proactive protection by using AI to detect potential threats at the property boundary. It can distinguish between your family and unknown individuals, alerting you only to genuine concerns. If suspicious activity is detected, scOS can autonomously activate deterrents like lights and audio warnings, preventing vehicle theft or burglary before they happen. With features like DVLA verification to identify suspicious vehicles, scOS ensures your home and cars are protected by the most advanced technology, maintaining Crays Hill’s high safety standards.