Great Notley Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

February 2024 marked a notable shift in Great Notley's crime profile, with a crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents—35.2% below the UK average of 7.1. This figure, while showing a 54.5% increase from January's 3.0 per 1,000, still places the area firmly within the lower end of the national spectrum. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 41.2% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (20.6%) and criminal damage and arson (14.7%). The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may have influenced these patterns, as reduced daylight and colder temperatures often correlate with shifts in criminal behaviour. For instance, the dominance of violent crimes could reflect indoor gatherings or increased tensions during the winter period. However, the area's overall safety is evident in its continued underperformance relative to UK averages, particularly in categories like theft from the person and burglary, which are 41% and 67% below national figures, respectively. These disparities may be attributable to Great Notley's built-up character within Braintree, where community cohesion and local policing efforts likely play a role in mitigating certain types of crime. The relatively low rates of property crimes, such as burglary (0.1 per 1,000) and theft from the person (0.1 per 1,000), further reinforce the area's status as a safer locale compared to the broader UK context. While the month-on-month increases in public order and other theft incidents suggest emerging challenges, the broader trend remains one of comparative safety, with the area's crime profile shaped by its geographical and social dynamics.

Public order offences saw the most dramatic increase, rising by 200% from one to three incidents. This surge, coupled with a similar 200% rise in other theft cases, suggests a shift in criminal activity that may be linked to local events or heightened community interactions. Conversely, burglary rates fell by 50%, dropping from two to one incident—a decrease that could indicate improved security measures or seasonal factors affecting residential crime. The category of violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41.2% of all crimes, remains 24% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000, highlighting a persistent trend of lower violent crime in the area. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson rose by 150%, reaching five incidents, a figure that is 30% above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. This anomaly may reflect targeted activities or environmental factors unique to Great Notley. For residents, the tripling of public order offences serves as a concrete data point to consider when assessing local safety priorities.

The crime rate in Great Notley rose by 54.5% compared to January 2024, moving from 3.0 to 4.6 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though significant, remains 35.2% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. Daily crime statistics show an average of one reported crime per day in February, a figure that, while low, reflects the built-up area's relatively small population of 7,402. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 218 residents—a monthly exposure rate that underscores the area's overall safety compared to national benchmarks. This figure is particularly notable when considering that the UK average would equate to roughly one crime for every 140 residents. The shift in crime patterns may reflect seasonal transitions, with February's pre-spring lull potentially influencing both the types and frequencies of incidents recorded. While the increase from the previous month is clear, the area's crime rate still sits well below the national average, suggesting that local factors such as community engagement or infrastructure may contribute to its continued safety profile.