Braintree Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Braintree's crime profile in May 2025, accounting for 44.6% of all reported incidents. At 5.5 crimes per 1,000 residents, the local rate was 32.1% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, a disparity that reflects the area's broader safety record. The prominence of violent crime—402 cases in total—contrasts with the UK's higher proportion of property-related offences, though Braintree's property crime rate (252 cases) was also significantly lower than national averages. This pattern may be partly explained by the district's character as a mixed urban-rural area with a strong emphasis on community policing and local initiatives. The seasonal context of May, with its longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising, likely contributed to the elevated incidence of violence and anti-social behaviour, which together accounted for 54.1% of all crimes. Anti-social behaviour, at 86 cases, was 65% below the UK average, suggesting effective local measures to manage public disorder. The relatively low rates of shoplifting (45 cases) and burglary (19 cases) further indicate that Braintree's retail and residential areas benefit from targeted prevention efforts. These findings highlight a combination of environmental factors, policing strategies, and community engagement that shapes the area's crime picture.

May 2025 witnessed a dramatic 400% rise in theft from the person, increasing from 1 to 5 incidents. This sharp increase, though still low in absolute terms, may partly explain the heightened focus on personal safety in public spaces. Conversely, shoplifting incidents fell by 42.3% compared to April, declining from 78 to 45 cases—a drop that aligns with seasonal patterns and the reduced foot traffic typical of early spring. Drug-related crimes surged by 103.7%, rising from 27 to 55 cases, a trend that contrasts with Braintree's generally low drug crime rates compared to the UK average. Violent crime remains the dominant category, comprising 44.6% of all reported incidents. This concentration of violent crime—32.1% below the UK average—suggests local factors such as community engagement initiatives or policing strategies may be influencing the trend. The 34.5% decrease in burglary, from 29 to 19 cases, further underscores the area's comparatively lower property crime rates, which are 64% below the UK average.

Braintree's crime rate in May 2025 remained stable at 5.5 per 1,000 residents, matching the rate recorded in the previous month. This consistency suggests no significant short-term shifts in criminal activity patterns. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 29 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the frequency of incidents within the local community. When considering the monthly exposure, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 182 residents over the course of May, a metric that provides a clear snapshot of the population's risk profile. With a population of 164,304, the local rate remains lower than the UK average, which stands at 8.1 per 1,000. This disparity highlights Braintree's position as a relatively low-crime area compared to national trends, though the absolute number of incidents still reflects the scale of local challenges. The stability in crime rates contrasts with broader UK patterns, where seasonal fluctuations often influence crime trends more acutely.