Witham Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Witham's crime rate in August 2025 (7.1 per 1,000) positions it 12.3% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, a distinction that reflects the area's unique socio-economic and geographic profile. As a semi-urban built-up area within Braintree, Witham's crime profile is shaped by its mix of residential and commercial zones, with violence and sexual offences dominating at 56.6% of total crimes. This category, at 4.0 per 1,000, is 39% above the UK average, a disparity that may be linked to the area's proximity to major transport routes and the transient nature of some communities. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour (0.5 per 1,000) and other theft (0.5 per 1,000) are both significantly below national averages, suggesting effective local policing or community initiatives in these domains. August, as a peak holiday month, likely influenced crime patterns, with shoplifting dropping by 52.9% and other categories like drugs and possession of weapons seeing reductions. However, the rise in violent crime—particularly sexual offences—may indicate seasonal pressures, such as increased alcohol consumption in public spaces or the impact of empty homes during school holidays. These trends highlight the combination of local factors and national averages, with Witham's crime picture offering both areas for concern and potential for targeted improvements.

August 2025 saw a 12.5% increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from 88 to 99 incidents. This surge, despite the overall decline in crime, highlights a shift in the crime mix, with violent crime comprising 56.6% of total reports—significantly higher than the UK average of 2.9 per 1,000. Conversely, shoplifting fell sharply by 52.9%, dropping from 17 to 8 incidents, likely reflecting the seasonal impact of August holidays reducing retail footfall. Anti-social behaviour remained below the UK average, with 12 incidents (0.5 per 1,000) compared to the national rate of 1.5 per 1,000. Residents may find the daily crime count (6 incidents) a useful benchmark for understanding local risk levels. Other theft and criminal damage also showed declines, though violence and sexual offences remained the dominant category, indicating persistent challenges in this area.

Witham's crime rate in August 2025 (7.1 per 1,000) marks a 14.5% decline from the previous month's 8.3 per 1,000, reflecting a sustained downward trend. This reduction aligns with broader seasonal patterns, as August typically sees lower crime rates in built-up areas due to reduced foot traffic during school holidays. On a daily basis, 6 crimes were reported over the 31 days, a figure that contextualises the pace of activity in the area. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 142 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average when scaled to population size. With a population of 24,838, the localised nature of incidents—such as the concentration of violence and sexual offences in specific areas—suggests that targeted interventions may have contributed to the overall decline. This contrast with the UK average underscores Witham's distinct crime profile, shaped by its semi-urban character and the seasonal rhythms of its community.