Brentwood Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Brentwood’s overall crime rate in January 2025 stood at 5.1 per 1,000 residents, marking a 28.2% reduction compared to the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This lower-than-national figure suggests a relatively safe environment. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 27.3% of all reported incidents. This category is 44% below the UK average, possibly reflecting the area’s mix of residential and commercial zones, which may limit opportunities for certain types of violent crime. Property-related crimes, however, showed a different dynamic: shoplifting (14.3% of total) and vehicle crime (13.0%) were both above the UK average, with shoplifting 13% higher and vehicle crime 71% higher. These figures could be linked to the presence of retail centres or commuter parking areas, which are common in medium-sized towns like Brentwood. Seasonal context also plays a role, as January’s post-holiday period and shorter days may reduce outdoor activity, typically associated with lower rates of public order offences and anti-social behaviour. However, the area’s crime profile is not without complexity: while anti-social behaviour (7.1% of total) and burglary (6.6%) are below the UK average, other theft (7.6%) and criminal damage (5.9%) remain within national norms. These variations underscore the importance of considering both local geography and seasonal rhythms when interpreting crime statistics. The data also highlights the need for targeted strategies, such as addressing vehicle crime in areas with high commuter traffic or monitoring retail zones for shoplifting trends.

January 2025 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with robbery and bicycle theft both rising sharply. Robbery incidents surged by 100%, jumping from zero to five cases, while bicycle theft increased by 33.3% (from three to four). These increases may partly reflect seasonal shifts, such as colder weather driving more indoor activity or changes in commuter patterns. Conversely, theft from the person dropped by 60%, from five to two incidents, likely linked to reduced retail footfall during the post-holiday period. Other theft also fell by 47.5%, suggesting a possible decline in opportunistic crimes. Meanwhile, violent crimes remained a significant portion of the total, with violence and sexual offences at 27.3% of all crimes, 44% below the UK average. This contrast with the UK figures highlights Brentwood’s distinct crime profile, where property-related crimes like shoplifting (14.3% of total) and vehicle crime (13.0%) are higher than the national average. Such disparities may reflect local factors, such as the presence of retail hubs or commuter infrastructure influencing specific crime types.

Brentwood's crime rate in January 2025 fell to 5.1 per 1,000 residents, an 11.6% decline from December 2024’s 5.8 per 1,000. This downward trend aligns with seasonal patterns typical of post-holiday periods, when retail activity and outdoor footfall decrease. On average, 13 crimes were reported daily in January, translating to roughly one crime for every 195 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure underscores a relatively low level of risk compared to other areas, though it remains a useful metric for residents to contextualise local safety. The population-scaled perspective also highlights that Brentwood’s crime rate is significantly below the UK average, with 28.2% fewer crimes per 1,000 people than the national figure. While daily crime counts provide immediate insight, the monthly aggregate offers a broader view of how crime distribution interacts with the area’s demographic and geographic characteristics, such as its mix of residential and commercial zones.