Steeple Bumpstead Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Steeple Bumpstead, within Braintree, reveal a crime rate of 37.4 per 1,000 residents between January 2025 and December 2025. While this remains below the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, representing a safety score of 91/100 compared to the UK average of 79/100, there has been a concerning 15.9% increase in crime year-on-year. Understanding the specifics of these figures is vital for residents to assess their personal safety and take appropriate precautions. This report provides a breakdown of crime types, trends, and offers practical advice to help ensure a secure community.

Steeple Bumpstead, within the Braintree district, exhibits a concerning crime profile. The most prevalent offences recorded between January 2025 and December 2025 were violence and sexual offences, accounting for 43.2% of all crimes (41 incidents). These are followed by public order offences (12.6% - 12 crimes), and criminal damage and arson (9.5% - 9 crimes). While burglary represents a smaller proportion of the overall crime count (8.4% - 8 crimes), it remains a significant concern for residents. Property crime, encompassing burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, totals 11.4 incidents per 1,000 residents. The factors contributing to these statistics are likely a combination of rural isolation, proximity to larger population centres, and potentially socio-economic factors common to some rural communities.

Crime rates in Steeple Bumpstead have been steadily increasing, culminating in a 15.9% rise year-on-year. Monthly data reveals fluctuations, with a peak in January 2025 (4.3 per 1,000) and a low in June 2025 (1.6 per 1,000). A noticeable increase is again observed in September 2025 (4.3 per 1,000) and November 2025 (5.1 per 1,000), before a significant drop in December 2025 (1.2 per 1,000). This volatility highlights the need for ongoing monitoring and proactive crime prevention measures.

How To Keep Safe in Steeple Bumpstead

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences, be mindful of your surroundings, especially when walking alone at night. Public order incidents suggest being cautious in social situations and avoiding potential confrontations. Due to the incidence of criminal damage and arson, consider securing valuable outdoor items and reporting any suspicious activity. With burglaries also occurring, ensure doors and windows are locked, even when at home. Finally, be aware of your vehicle’s surroundings and consider a secure parking location.

Crime in Steeple Bumpstead exhibits varying patterns throughout the day. Burglary is most frequently reported during the afternoon (40%), followed by the morning (24%). Vehicle crime is most prevalent during the night (36%), while theft sees a concentration in the afternoon (34%). Evening hours (6pm-12am) also experience notable theft (15%) and a small proportion of vehicle crime (16%). This suggests a need for increased vigilance during daylight and evening hours, particularly concerning vehicle security.

Steeple Bumpstead's crime rate contrasts sharply with that of neighbouring areas. Helions Bumpstead and Castle Camps both record zero incidents, highlighting a significant disparity. However, the larger town of Haverhill demonstrates a considerably higher rate of 71.6 per 1,000 residents. This variation underscores the impact of population density and urban characteristics on crime rates, and emphasizes that while Steeple Bumpstead is relatively safer than some nearby locations, it's not without its challenges.

Traditional CCTV systems offer a record of events, but often only after a crime has occurred. The right security system should be proactive, preventing crime before it happens. Consider scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system that uses multi-camera intelligence to watch your property boundary. DVLA vehicle verification instantly identifies suspicious vehicles, and pattern learning recognises your family and deliveries, minimising false alarms. The visible presence of a professional-grade system like scOS acts as a significant deterrent; most burglars decide within 60 seconds – that visible deterrent can make them move on. Reading crime statistics is one thing; actually stopping threats at your property line is another.