Brentwood Crime Rate

Brentwood is a prosperous and generally secure district, currently holding a high safety score of 84/100. The overall crime rate in the local authority area is 72.4 per 1,000 residents, which is notably lower than the UK national average of 93.1. Property crime is in line with the national benchmark, standing at 32.7 per 1,000 people compared to the UK average of 32.9. The recent crime trend is classified as stable, showing a minor 2.5% increase year-over-year. While these figures indicate a safe environment, the detailed data highlights specific challenges, particularly regarding shoplifting and vehicle-related offences. The following sections provide a comprehensive breakdown of the types of crime and the trends affecting the Brentwood district.

About Brentwood

Brentwood is an affluent suburban local authority district in Essex, characterized by high-quality residential areas, busy commercial centres, and a vibrant nightlife. As a key commuter town with excellent rail and road links to London, including the M25 and A12, the area experiences high volumes of daily transit. The district's economic prosperity and its role as a regional leisure destination contribute to its specific crime profile. High-value residential properties and busy retail zones naturally attract more property-related offences, such as shoplifting and vehicle crime, than more rural Essex districts. Additionally, the town's popular bars and restaurants can influence statistics for anti-social behaviour and public order. These factors, combined with the district's density and connectivity, are essential to understanding why Brentwood maintains its current crime rate and safety score. While it remains a highly desirable and generally safe area, its suburban-urban mix creates distinct security challenges compared to neighbouring rural authorities.

Crime Breakdown in Brentwood

The criminal landscape in Brentwood is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 30.8% of all reported incidents, at a rate of 22.3 per 1,000 residents. Shoplifting is the second most common category at 13.5%, followed closely by vehicle crime at 11.3%. Property crime as a whole—encompassing burglary, vehicle crime, shoplifting, and all forms of theft—stands at 32.7 per 1,000 people. This is almost identical to the UK average property crime rate of 32.9. Within this category, vehicle crime (8.2 per 1,000) and shoplifting (9.8 per 1,000) are the most significant concerns for residents and business owners. The burglary rate (3.3 per 1,000) is relatively low, but the high volume of vehicle crime indicates that physical property, particularly cars, is a tangible target for opportunistic theft in the district.

Crime Trends in Brentwood

The crime trend in Brentwood is currently stable, with a modest year-over-year increase of 2.5%. Monthly data from late 2024 through 2025 shows the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuating between 5.1 and 7.1. The highest period of activity was recorded in August 2025, while the lowest rates were seen in January 2025. In the most recent four months of 2025, the rate has remained consistent between 5.7 and 6.2. This steady volume of incidents suggests a predictable criminal landscape, which allows local law enforcement and residents to better target their safety efforts. Overall, Brentwood continues to be a stable and relatively secure district for its residents.

In the regional context, Brentwood is a major suburban hub and consequently reports a higher crime rate than some of its more rural or less developed neighbours. While Brentwood stands at 72.4 per 1,000, nearby districts such as Havering, Epping Forest, Basildon, and Thurrock all recorded zero crimes in this period's specific comparison data. This suggests that as a commercial and transport centre, Brentwood attracts a higher volume of incident reports than the surrounding areas. For residents, Brentwood offers superior amenities but requires a greater focus on personal and property security than these quieter adjacent districts.

Brentwood's property crime rate of 32.7 per 1,000 residents highlights a persistent risk to physical assets, particularly vehicles and commercial property. In an area with this level of activity, traditional security measures like basic CCTV or standard alarms are often insufficient because they are reactive; they only record the event after your property has been breached. To truly secure your home or business in Brentwood, a proactive approach is required. The scOS AI-powered home security operating system is designed to prevent crime by identifying threats at the property boundary. Using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your entire perimeter in real-time and can trigger autonomous responses—such as activating high-intensity lighting or audible warnings—to deter an intruder or car thief before they attempt a break-in. This preventative detection is the most effective way to protect your property, ensuring that opportunistic criminals move on to easier targets. By shifting from recording crime to preventing it, scOS provides a level of professional-grade security that traditional systems simply cannot match.

How To Keep Safe in Brentwood

The most common crime in Brentwood is violence and sexual offences, which often involves known parties, but personal safety in public areas remains important. To stay safe, we recommend being aware of your surroundings, especially in busy commercial areas or near nightlife venues, and sticking to well-lit routes when walking at night. Since vehicle crime and shoplifting are also significant local issues, always ensure your car is locked and that no valuables or shopping bags are left in sight. For homeowners, maintaining a secure perimeter is essential; check that all window and door locks are robust and functioning correctly. We also suggest installing motion-activated lighting around your property to eliminate dark spots. Finally, consider an AI-based security system that monitors your property boundary and can alert you to suspicious activity before a crime occurs, providing a proactive layer of defence that matches the district's activity levels.