Brentwood Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Brentwood's July 2024 crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 residents marked a significant deviation from the UK average, with the area recording 21.4% fewer crimes than the national figure of 8.4 per 1,000. This contrast is most striking in shoplifting, which occurred at a rate of 1.2 per 1,000 residents—76% above the UK average of 0.7 per 1,000. The dominance of violence and sexual offences (31.4% of all crimes) highlights a persistent challenge in the area, though this category itself remains 26% below the UK average. The seasonal context of July—peak summer, school holidays, and tourism activity—likely contributes to patterns observed, with shoplifting likely driven by increased foot traffic in retail areas. Vehicle crime also rose above the UK average, possibly linked to the area's commuter infrastructure and increased vehicle presence during the summer months. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour and public order offences fell significantly below UK averages, suggesting effective community policing or local initiatives that may be mitigating such issues. The overall crime rate, however, remains lower than the UK average, indicating that Brentwood's approach to crime prevention may be yielding positive results despite the specific challenges posed by seasonal trends.

July 2024 saw a 61% increase in shoplifting compared to June, with 95 incidents reported—76% above the UK average. This surge may be linked to the summer tourist season and extended retail hours in Brentwood's commercial districts. Burglary also rose by 33.3%, though it remained 29% above the UK average, potentially reflecting increased vulnerability in residential areas during periods of reduced occupancy. Conversely, robbery dropped by 75% from 12 to 3 incidents, a shift that could be attributed to heightened police visibility or community engagement efforts. Possession of weapons saw a 100% increase, with one incident reported—a stark anomaly that may indicate isolated incidents rather than a broader trend. The breakdown of crimes reveals a marked contrast between property-related offences (shoplifting, vehicle crime) and violent crimes, with the latter comprising 31.4% of all reported incidents. This distribution is consistent with Brentwood's character as a mixed-use area where retail and commuter activity intersect, creating specific risks for property crime while maintaining relatively low levels of violent crime compared to the UK average.

Brentwood's July 2024 crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 residents represents a 6.5% increase from June's rate of 6.2 per 1,000, reflecting a modest upward trend over the month. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 17 crimes per day in July, a figure that contextualises the local impact of crime in a way that transcends aggregate statistics. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 152 residents—a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average, despite the spike in shoplifting. This suggests that while specific categories of crime may show sharp fluctuations, the overall safety profile of Brentwood remains comparatively strong. The population context further underscores this: with 79,326 residents, the 522 total crimes recorded in July equate to a manageable burden per individual, particularly when contrasted with the UK average. The interplay between local initiatives and seasonal factors appears to be a critical determinant in maintaining this balance, even as specific crime types like shoplifting and vehicle crime exceed national benchmarks. These figures offer residents a tangible sense of risk, with the daily crime count serving as a practical reference point for understanding local crime dynamics.