Halstead (Braintree) Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

February 2026 marked a significant uptick in violent crime within Halstead (Braintree), with 33 incidents reported—accounting for 53.2% of the area’s total 62 crimes. This surge in violence and sexual offences, which stood at 2.2 per 1,000 (below the UK average of 2.3 per 1,000), contrasts sharply with the area’s overall crime rate of 4.2 per 1,000, a figure that remains 34.4% below the UK average. The seasonal context of February—a winter month typically associated with reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may have influenced these patterns. Public order offences, at 0.5 per 1,000, were 22% above the UK average, suggesting localized pressures that warrant further exploration. Meanwhile, property crimes accounted for just 21% of all incidents, with shoplifting, burglary, and vehicle crime all significantly below UK averages. This disparity highlights the area’s unique crime profile, where violent crime dominates over property-related offences, a trend that may be linked to Halstead’s character as a relatively small built-up area within Braintree, where community interactions and social dynamics could play a role in shaping local crime patterns.

February 2026 saw a sharp rise in drug-related incidents, doubling from 1 to 3—a 200% increase—raising concerns about emerging local challenges. Other theft also surged by 150%, with cases jumping from 2 to 5, a shift that may reflect seasonal changes or evolving criminal behavior. Conversely, vehicle crime and other crime both declined, with vehicle crime falling by 50% (from 2 to 1) and other crime dropping by two-thirds (from 3 to 1). These decreases contrast sharply with the violent crime spike, which now constitutes 53.2% of all incidents—well above the UK average for this category. Public order offences in Halstead were 22% above the UK average, a figure that may be linked to the area’s specific social dynamics or events during the month.

Halstead's crime rate rose by 15.0% in February 2026 compared to 3.6 per 1,000 in January, reflecting a notable upward trend. Over 28 days, this equated to roughly 2 crimes per day, a figure that, while low, warrants attention given the seasonal context of February—a winter month typically associated with reduced outdoor activity. When scaled to the area’s population of 14,953, this translates to one reported crime for every 241 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, though modest, underscores the importance of community vigilance during periods of transition, such as the pre-spring lull. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while the overall rate remains well below the UK average, the increase from the previous month suggests a need for continued monitoring of local patterns, particularly in categories where rates have shifted significantly.