Great Notley Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Great Notley's crime rate in February 2026 stood at 3.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it 45.3% below the UK average of 6.4. This marked a continued trend of low crime levels in the built-up area, which is part of Braintree District. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (11 incidents, 42.3% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (4 incidents, 15.4%) and criminal damage and arson (3 incidents, 11.5%). The seasonal context of February—typically a winter month with reduced outdoor activity—may partly explain the relatively low overall crime rate compared to busier periods. Violence and sexual offences, while still the largest category, were 35% below the UK average for this category, suggesting local factors such as community cohesion or policing strategies may contribute to this disparity. Anti-social behaviour, another major category, was 45% below the UK average, reflecting the area's smaller population and more tightly knit community structures. The low rates of shoplifting (83% below UK average) and theft from the person (76% below) align with the area's character as a largely residential and semi-rural built-up area, where commercial activity is limited compared to major urban centres. The overall profile indicates a place where crime prevention efforts and demographic factors combine to maintain lower crime levels, though the seasonal lull in outdoor activity may also play a role in reducing opportunities for certain types of crime.

The most dramatic month-on-month change in February 2026 was the doubling of drug-related crimes, which rose from zero to two incidents—a 100% increase. This spike, though still low in absolute terms (0.3 per 1,000 residents), is 30% above the UK average for drugs offences (0.2 per 1,000). Concurrently, vehicle crime also doubled from zero to three incidents, a 100% increase, placing it 14% above the UK average for this category. These two increases contrasted with notable declines elsewhere: other theft and shoplifting both fell by two-thirds, from three to one incident each, possibly reflecting seasonal factors such as reduced retail activity in winter. The crime mix shifted slightly towards property-related offences, with property crimes (8 incidents) accounting for 30.8% of total crimes, compared to violent crimes (11 incidents, 42.3%). This balance remained well below the UK average for violent crime (2.3 per 1,000), with violence and sexual offences at 1.5 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour, though down by 50% from the previous month, remained 45% below the UK average, suggesting persistent community-level differences in social dynamics. The relatively high rate of vehicle crime, despite its small absolute numbers, may indicate specific vulnerabilities in local vehicle security practices or increased targeting of parked vehicles during winter months when outdoor activity is limited.

February 2026 saw Great Notley's crime rate decrease by 3.8% from the previous month's 3.7 per 1,000, continuing a downward trend in local crime statistics. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day over the 28-day period, a figure that, while low, highlights the consistent presence of criminal activity in a small built-up area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 285 residents—a monthly exposure rate that, when compared to the UK average, underscores the area's significantly lower risk profile. With a population of 7,402, the local context means that even minor fluctuations in crime rates can have noticeable impacts on residents' perceptions of safety. The 45.3% gap between Great Notley's crime rate and the UK average remains a striking feature, with the area's violent crime rate (1.5 per 1,000) being 35% below the UK average for this category. This contrast may reflect the area's demographic composition, with a higher proportion of residential properties and fewer commercial hubs that could attract higher crime rates. The population-scaled perspective also shows that, despite the small number of crimes, each incident represents a meaningful proportion of the community, making localised crime prevention efforts particularly impactful in maintaining the area's low crime profile.