Brentwood Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Brentwood's crime profile in May 2024, representing nearly 30% of all reported crimes. This category, at 1.6 per 1,000 residents, is 44% below the UK average, a stark contrast to the national trend. The overall crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents places Brentwood 36.9% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently safer environment compared to the rest of the country. Property crimes, including vehicle crime and shoplifting, account for 38% of total incidents, but their rates remain below or in line with national averages. The seasonal context of May—characterised by extended evenings, bank holidays, and increased outdoor socialising—may partly explain the persistence of violent offences, particularly in areas with higher foot traffic. While shoplifting remains a notable concern, its rate of 0.6 per 1,000 is 6% below the UK average, suggesting effective local measures or lower retail density. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.5 per 1,000, is 66% below the UK average, possibly linked to community engagement initiatives or the area's suburban character. This data underscores Brentwood's position as a relatively low-crime local authority, with violent crime as the primary concern despite its lower-than-average prevalence.

May 2024 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories. Bicycle theft surged by 150%, rising from 2 to 5 incidents, a sharp increase that may reflect seasonal patterns of cycling activity or targeted theft in residential areas. Theft from the person also rose by 50%, from 2 to 3 incidents, though this remains well below the UK average. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 21.3%, declining from 75 to 59 incidents, a drop that could be attributed to improved vehicle security measures or reduced commuter traffic during school holidays. Violence and sexual offences, though the dominant category, remain 44% below the UK average, highlighting Brentwood's comparatively safer environment. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.5 per 1,000, is 66% below the UK average, a figure that may align with the area's suburban demographics and community-focused policing. Residents might find the 150% increase in bicycle theft particularly noteworthy, as it signals a potential need for targeted awareness campaigns around securing bicycles in public spaces.

Brentwood's crime rate in May 2024 fell slightly to 5.3 per 1,000 residents, a 2.0% decrease from April's 5.4 per 1,000. This modest decline, though statistically small, suggests a stabilising trend in local crime dynamics. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 14 crimes per day in May, a figure that contextualises the monthly total of 421 incidents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 188 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than many urban centres. With a population of 79,326, Brentwood's crime statistics reflect a balance between suburban safety and the challenges of managing a mid-sized local authority. The 36.9% gap between Brentwood's rate and the UK average underscores the area's effectiveness in crime prevention, though this must be weighed against the need to address specific concerns like rising bicycle theft. These figures, when viewed alongside the UK's broader context, reinforce Brentwood's status as a relatively low-crime region with room for targeted improvements in certain areas.