Brentwood Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In November 2023, Brentwood recorded 467 crimes across a population of 79,326, translating to a crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents—21.3% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This rate, while relatively low, reflects a mix of crime types shaped by local and seasonal factors. Violence and sexual offences dominated, accounting for 30.6% of all incidents, followed by vehicle crime (17.3%) and shoplifting (10.1%). The seasonal context of November, with its dark evenings, Bonfire Night events, and Black Friday shopping, likely contributed to patterns such as increased vehicle crime and shoplifting. However, the area’s overall safety is underscored by its significant underperformance compared to the UK average in categories like anti-social behaviour (52% below) and public order offences (25% below). These figures may partly reflect Brentwood’s character as a suburban district with lower population density and fewer night-time hotspots than major urban centres. The relatively low rate of violent crime compared to the UK average (violence and sexual offences were 31% below) could also indicate effective community policing or a demographic profile less prone to such incidents. Nevertheless, the sharp rise in robbery—jumping from 1 to 4 cases—highlights the need for targeted measures to address emerging risks, particularly as the month’s seasonal events may have temporarily exposed vulnerabilities in certain areas.

November 2023 saw a stark spike in robbery, with incidents rising by 300% compared to October—jumping from 1 to 4 cases. This dramatic increase, though small in absolute terms, may signal heightened vulnerability in specific areas or times of day. Shoplifting also rose by 30.6%, from 36 to 47 cases, likely influenced by Black Friday shopping activity. Conversely, other crime fell by 53.8%, and criminal damage and arson dropped by 45.3%, suggesting temporary reductions in anti-social behaviour or targeted interventions. Vehicle crime, at 1.0 per 1,000 residents, was 100% above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000, highlighting a localised issue that may stem from high commuter traffic or vehicle density in residential zones. These shifts underscore the need for tailored policing strategies in high-risk areas.

Brentwood’s November 2023 crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents marks a 19.5% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.3 per 1,000, reflecting a continued downward trend. Over the 30 days of November, the area recorded an average of 16 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the frequency of incidents for local residents. When scaled to the population of 79,326, this translates to one reported crime for every 170 residents over the course of the month—a relatively low exposure compared to national averages. The drop in overall crime may partly explain the reduction in specific categories, such as criminal damage and arson, which fell by 45.3% month-on-month. However, daily crime counts remain a useful metric for understanding the immediate impact of incidents on communities, particularly in areas with high foot traffic or seasonal activity.