Braintree Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In November 2024, Braintree recorded 855 crimes across a population of 164,304, translating to a crime rate of 5.2 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 31.6% below the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000, highlighting Braintree's position as a relatively safe area. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences (340 incidents, 39.8% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (77 incidents, 9.0%) and shoplifting (70 incidents, 8.2%). The seasonal context of November—marked by darker evenings, Bonfire Night, and Black Friday shopping—likely influenced patterns in shoplifting and public order offences, though the area's lower retail density compared to major urban centres may explain the 42% gap below the UK average for shoplifting. Violence and sexual offences, while the most common category, were still 19% below the UK average, a disparity that may reflect Braintree's suburban character and lower population density. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage also remained well below national rates, consistent with the area's quieter, more residential profile. The overall crime rate, while stable month-on-month, continues to demonstrate Braintree's resilience in maintaining safety compared to the UK as a whole.

November saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with possession of weapons rising by 120% (5 to 11 incidents) and vehicle crime increasing by 34.8% (46 to 62). These jumps may reflect heightened tensions during dark evenings or increased enforcement around Bonfire Night. Conversely, drug-related offences fell by 38.5% (52 to 32), a drop that could indicate effective local interventions or seasonal lulls in activity. Violent crimes remained a dominant category, but they were 19% below the UK average, with 340 incidents accounting for 39.8% of all reported crimes. The sharp decline in robbery (from 6 to 4 incidents) and public order offences (75 to 58) suggests that community-focused policing or environmental factors—such as reduced foot traffic during Black Friday—may have played a role. Braintree's shoplifting rate was 42% below the UK average, a trend consistent with the area's lower retail density compared to major urban centres.

Braintree's crime rate in November 2024 fell by 4.2% compared to October, reflecting a continued trend of relative safety. With 855 crimes reported over the month, this equates to roughly 28 crimes per day—slightly below the October figure of 29. For residents, this means a 1-in-192 chance of experiencing a crime over the course of the month, a figure that places Braintree well below the UK average for similar-sized areas. The local population of 164,304 means that each crime affects a small proportion of the community, though the seasonal context of November—marked by dark evenings and Black Friday shopping—may have influenced patterns in shoplifting and vehicle crime. While daily crime numbers remain stable, the month-on-month decline suggests that local initiatives or seasonal factors may be contributing to a sustained reduction in overall incidents.