Braintree Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Braintree's crime profile in February 2024 continues to show a marked divergence from the UK average, with an overall rate of 5.5 crimes per 1,000 residents—22.5% below the national benchmark of 7.1. This sustained underperformance relative to the UK average is most evident in categories such as anti-social behaviour (52% below UK levels) and public order offences (18% below), reflecting a relatively calm environment in these domains. Violence and sexual offences, however, remain the most prevalent category, accounting for 41.3% of all reported crimes (375 incidents), though this rate (2.3 per 1,000) is 8% below the UK average. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity—likely contributes to the overall stability in crime rates, though the sharp rise in theft from the person (now 1.0% of total crimes) suggests a need for targeted interventions. Vehicle crime (0.5 per 1,000) remains a localised concern, exceeding the UK average by 14%, potentially linked to Braintree's road infrastructure or commuter traffic patterns. The area's lower-than-average rates in categories like burglary (33% below UK levels) and shoplifting (26% below) may indicate effective community policing or demographic factors such as a lower proportion of high-traffic retail zones. These patterns highlight a combination of local characteristics and national trends, with Braintree maintaining a safer profile overall despite pockets of specific challenge.

February 2024 saw a sharp 200% increase in theft from the person, rising from 3 to 9 incidents. This jump, though small in absolute terms, represents a significant shift in criminal activity patterns. Meanwhile, vehicle crime in Braintree remained 14% above the UK average at 0.5 per 1,000, suggesting a persistent challenge in this category. Other notable changes include a 26.9% rise in public order offences and a 22.6% increase in criminal damage and arson, both of which may reflect seasonal factors such as colder weather driving more indoor gatherings or property-related disputes. Conversely, bicycle theft fell by 69.2% (from 13 to 4 incidents), potentially linked to reduced outdoor activity during winter months. These fluctuations underscore the need for ongoing monitoring of specific crime types, particularly theft from the person, which now constitutes 1.0% of total crimes but shows a stark upward trend.

Braintree's crime rate in February 2024 remained stable at 5.5 per 1,000 residents, matching the rate recorded in January. This consistency suggests no major shifts in criminal activity over the past month. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately 31 crimes reported each day, a figure that translates to one reported crime for roughly every 181 residents over the course of the month. When compared to the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, Braintree's rate continues to reflect a 22.5% reduction, placing it significantly below the national benchmark. This gap is particularly notable in categories like anti-social behaviour and public order offences, where Braintree's rates are 52% and 18% below UK averages respectively. The population-scaled perspective reveals that residents face a lower likelihood of experiencing crime than the average UK citizen, though localised spikes in specific categories highlight areas requiring targeted attention.