Doddinghurst Crime Rate

Doddinghurst is an exceptionally secure residential village, currently holding a superior safety score of 94/100. The area's overall crime rate is 24.4 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1. Property crime is also remarkably low at 9.3 per 1,000 people, compared to the UK average of 32.9. While the area has seen a 22.7% increase in crime over the past year, it remains a very low-risk location. However, the data highlights that vehicle crime is a notable factor, especially during the night hours when it accounts for nearly three-quarters of all reported incidents. This suggests that while general safety is high, proactive vehicle and home security remains a priority for local residents. The following sections explore these patterns in more detail.

Crime Breakdown in Doddinghurst

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Doddinghurst, accounting for 26.9% of all reported incidents (6.6 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent at 19.4%, followed by vehicle crime at 18.5%. When looking at property crime collectively—including burglary, vehicle crime, and all forms of theft—the rate is 9.3 per 1,000 people. This is remarkably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9. While the volume of crime is low, vehicle crime stands out as a significant factor in the local breakdown. For residents, this means that while Doddinghurst is statistically very safe, protecting vehicles from the relatively high percentage of opportunistic theft is the primary security priority.

Crime Trends in Doddinghurst

Doddinghurst has seen a moderate increase in its crime rate over the past year, with a year-over-year rise of 22.7%. Monthly data from late 2024 through 2025 shows the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuating between 0.7 and 3.8. The rate was at its lowest in June 2025, but saw a notable peak in July. Over the last four months of the year, the rate has remained remarkably steady at 1.6 per 1,000 people. This overall increase from a very low base suggests that while Doddinghurst remains one of the safest communities in the area, residents should be more mindful of their home and vehicle security. Despite the increase, the village maintains an exceptionally high safety score.

How To Keep Safe in Doddinghurst

The most common crime in Doddinghurst is violence and sexual offences, which often involves known parties. For general safety, we recommend being aware of your surroundings and sticking to well-lit areas if walking alone at night. Since vehicle crime is a top-three crime type here, particularly at night, always ensure your car is parked in a garage or a well-lit driveway. Never leave valuables or bags in sight. For home security, check that all window and door locks are robust and functioning correctly, especially during the afternoon and evening when burglary risk is higher. We also suggest installing motion-activated lighting around your property to eliminate dark spots. Finally, consider an AI-based security system that can monitor your property's perimeter and alert you to suspicious activity near your vehicle before a crime occurs, providing a proactive layer of defence that matches the village's specific risk profile.

Crime timing in Doddinghurst shows a significant shift in property risk as the day progresses. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft and vehicle crime are both notable concerns, accounting for around 30-40% of incidents. However, vehicle crime risk surges dramatically at night. Between 6pm and 12am, vehicle crime accounts for 49% of crimes, but this surges to 74% between 12am and 6am. Burglary remains a risk throughout the day, peaking at 26% in the afternoon. This data indicates that while daytime crime is mostly opportunistic theft, the night hours pose a very high and specific risk to vehicles. Homeowners should ensure their security systems are most vigilant during these late hours, especially regarding driveway monitoring.

In the local Brentwood context, Doddinghurst is a very safe residential option. With a crime rate of 24.4 per 1,000, it is much more secure than nearby Kelvedon Hatch (68.5) and Blackmore (53.8). While it has a higher incident rate than the villages of Stondon Massey and Paslow Wood Common (which both recorded zero crimes), it remains one of the safest settlements in the immediate area. For those seeking a peaceful village environment with consistently low crime levels, Doddinghurst offers a secure and stable community that performs significantly better than regional and national averages.

Doddinghurst enjoys a very low property crime rate of 9.3 per 1,000, but the data reveals a specific vulnerability: vehicle crime accounts for a staggering 74% of all incidents between midnight and 6am. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or standard alarms, are reactive; they notify you or record the event after your property has already been breached. For residents in Doddinghurst, proactive protection is a more effective way to maintain that security. 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 driveway and perimeter in real-time and can trigger autonomous responses, such as activating high-intensity lighting or audible warnings, to deter a car thief or intruder before they attempt to touch your property. This preventative approach is particularly relevant for Doddinghurst homeowners, where the risk to vehicles is concentrated in the hours of darkness. By stopping threats at the boundary, scOS ensures your home remains a sanctuary, effectively deterring opportunistic criminals who would otherwise target traditional, reactive security systems.