Brentwood Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Brentwood's crime rate in February 2025 stood at 5.7 per 1,000 residents, placing it 14.9% below the UK average of 6.7 per 1,000. This performance highlights the area's relative safety compared to the national picture, though the data reveals a nuanced crime profile shaped by local characteristics. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 29% of all crimes, with 131 incidents reported—a rate of 1.7 per 1,000, significantly lower than the UK average of 2.4 per 1,000. This suggests that community policing initiatives or demographic factors, such as a lower proportion of vulnerable populations, may be contributing to the area's lower violent crime rates. Property crimes, however, made up nearly half of all incidents, with shoplifting (63 cases) and vehicle crime (59 cases) as the most common subcategories. These figures align with the area's urban-suburban mix, where retail centres and commuter parking zones likely drive such activity. Seasonal context also plays a role: February's low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull may have dampened property crimes but left indoor-related violence and drug offences more visible. The data further shows that anti-social behaviour (0.5 per 1,000) and criminal damage (0.4 per 1,000) are below UK averages, reflecting effective local enforcement or a lower prevalence of transient populations. However, shoplifting and vehicle crime rates exceed national norms, indicating potential gaps in retail security or parking area management. These patterns underscore the combination of local infrastructure and crime dynamics, requiring targeted strategies to address specific vulnerabilities while maintaining the area's overall safety edge.

February saw a significant 80% increase in possession of weapons offences, rising from 5 to 9 incidents. This spike, though small in absolute terms, may indicate shifting patterns in local crime dynamics. Conversely, bicycle theft fell sharply by 75% (from 4 to 1), likely reflecting seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity during winter. The crime mix also shifted: violent crimes (29% of total) remained the largest category, but property crimes accounted for 49% of incidents, with shoplifting (13.9%) and vehicle crime (13.1%) dominating the property segment. Violence and sexual offences in Brentwood (1.7 per 1,000) are 28% below the UK average, a contrast to shoplifting rates (0.8 per 1,000) which are 29% above the national figure. These discrepancies suggest that local factors—such as retail density or community engagement—may be influencing specific crime types differently than in other parts of the UK.

Brentwood's crime rate in February 2025 (5.7 per 1,000) reflects an 11.1% increase from the previous month's 5.1 per 1,000, marking a slight upward trend. This rise, though modest, contrasts with the area's broader 14.9% deficit compared to the UK average. Daily crime activity in February averaged 16 incidents per day, a figure that, while consistent with seasonal norms, highlights the persistent presence of crime in local life. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 176 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the frequency of incidents within a tightly knit community. The population context—Brentwood's 79,326 residents—further illustrates how even small shifts in crime rates can translate into meaningful impacts for residents. This rate, while lower than the national average, suggests that local factors, such as urban infrastructure or community policing efforts, may be playing a role in mitigating crime compared to other areas.