Rural Braintree Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 32,356, 119 crimes reported in January 2024 equate to 3.7 crimes per 1,000 residents—50% below the UK average of 7.4. This rate underscores the relatively low crime environment in Rural Braintree, a built-up area within a broader rural district. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 35.3% of all incidents, followed by vehicle crime (14.3%) and public order offences (12.6%). These figures contrast with the UK average for violence and sexual offences (2.6 per 1,000), where Rural Braintree’s rate was 50% lower. The area’s crime profile aligns with its rural character, where lower population density and limited commercial activity may contribute to reduced opportunities for certain crimes. January’s post-holiday context, with shorter days and reduced retail footfall, likely influenced the crime pattern, though the sharp rise in public order offences suggests other factors at play. Vehicle crime, at the UK average, indicates no significant deviation in this category, while shoplifting and burglary rates were below national levels. These trends reflect a combination of local demographics, policing strategies, and seasonal dynamics that shape the area’s crime profile.

January 2024 saw dramatic shifts in crime patterns, with public order offences increasing by 400% (from 3 to 15 incidents). This spike may reflect heightened community tensions or changes in local activity during the post-holiday period. Shoplifting also rose sharply, doubling from 2 to 7 incidents—a 250% increase—suggesting potential links to seasonal retail dynamics or targeted thefts. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 55.6% (from 18 to 8), possibly due to reduced outdoor activity in colder weather. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common crime type (35.3% of total), but their rate of 1.3 per 1,000 was 50% below the UK average. Vehicle crime, at 0.5 per 1,000, matched the UK average, indicating no significant deviation in this category. These fluctuations illustrate the combination of local conditions and broader national trends.

In January 2024, Rural Braintree recorded 119 crimes, marking a 9.8% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.1 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with typical seasonal patterns, as January’s shorter days and post-holiday retail slowdown may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 4 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for local residents. When scaled to the population of 32,356, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for roughly every 272 residents. This rate is lower than the UK average, reflecting a combination of rural characteristics and local policing efforts. The shift in crime mix from December to January includes a sharp rise in public order offences and shoplifting, while criminal damage and arson fell significantly. These fluctuations suggest that seasonal transitions and community-specific factors play a role in shaping the crime profile.