Ingatestone Crime Rate

Ingatestone is a highly secure and desirable residential village, currently holding a superior safety score of 90/100. The area's overall crime rate is 41.2 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK national average of 93.1. Property crime is also remarkably low at 17.1 per 1,000 people, compared to the UK average of 32.9. The recent crime trend is classified as decreasing, with a notable 18.6% reduction year-over-year. While these figures reflect an exceptionally safe community, the data highlights that vehicle crime is a notable factor, especially during the night hours when it accounts for over half of all reported incidents. This suggests that while general safety is high, proactive vehicle and home security remains a priority for local residents. The following sections explore these patterns in more detail.

Crime Breakdown in Ingatestone

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Ingatestone, accounting for 37.2% of all reported incidents (15.3 per 1,000 residents). Shoplifting is the second most frequent at 13.8%, followed by vehicle crime at 10.1%. When looking at property crime collectively—including burglary, vehicle crime, shoplifting, and all forms of theft—the rate is 17.1 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9. While the volume of crime is low, vehicle crime and burglary remain notable within the local breakdown. For residents, this means that while Ingatestone is statistically very safe, protecting vehicles and the home from opportunistic theft is the primary security priority.

Crime Trends in Ingatestone

Ingatestone has seen a significant and positive shift in its crime landscape, with a year-over-year decrease of 18.6%. Monthly data from late 2024 through 2025 shows the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuating between 2.0 and 6.1. The rate was at its highest in January 2025, but saw a notable drop to 2.0 in February and May. Over the last four months of the year, the rate has remained relatively steady at between 2.6 and 4.8. This overall reduction is a strong indicator that Ingatestone is becoming an even safer community, although the concentration of vehicle crime remains an area that requires continued attention from both police and residents.

How To Keep Safe in Ingatestone

The most common crime in Ingatestone is violence and sexual offences, which often involves known parties. For general safety, we recommend being aware of your surroundings and sticking to well-lit areas if walking alone at night. Since vehicle crime is a top-three crime type here, particularly at night, always ensure your car is parked in a garage or a well-lit driveway. Never leave valuables or bags in sight. For home security, check that all window and door locks are robust and functioning correctly, especially during the afternoon and evening when burglary risk is higher. We also suggest installing motion-activated lighting around your property to eliminate dark spots. Finally, consider an AI-based security system that can monitor your property's perimeter and alert you to suspicious activity near your vehicle before a crime occurs, providing a proactive layer of defence that matches the village's specific risk profile.

Crime timing in Ingatestone shows a significant shift in property risk as the day progresses. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft is the primary concern, accounting for 46% and 52% of incidents respectively. However, vehicle crime risk begins to climb in the afternoon and peaks sharply at night. Between 6pm and 12am, vehicle crime accounts for 32% of crimes, but this surges to 58% between 12am and 6am. Burglary remains a risk throughout the day, peaking at 30% in the afternoon. This data indicates that while daytime crime is mostly opportunistic theft, the night hours pose a very high and specific risk to vehicles. Homeowners should ensure their security systems are most vigilant during these late hours, especially regarding driveway monitoring.

In the local Brentwood context, Ingatestone is a very safe residential option. With a crime rate of 41.2 per 1,000, it is more secure than nearby Blackmore (53.8). While it has a higher incident rate than the villages of Fryerning, Margaretting, and Havering's Grove (which all recorded zero crimes), it remains one of the safer settlements in the immediate area. For those seeking a peaceful village environment with consistently low crime levels and a positive downward trend, Ingatestone offers a secure and stable community that performs significantly better than regional and national averages.

Ingatestone enjoys a very low property crime rate of 17.1 per 1,000, but the data reveals a specific vulnerability: vehicle crime accounts for 58% of all incidents between midnight and 6am. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or standard alarms, are reactive; they notify you or record the event after your property has already been breached. For residents in Ingatestone, proactive protection is a more effective way to maintain that security. The scOS AI-powered home security operating system is designed to prevent crime by identifying threats at the property boundary. Using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your driveway and perimeter in real-time and can trigger autonomous responses, such as activating high-intensity lighting or audible warnings, to deter a car thief or intruder before they attempt to touch your property. This preventative approach is particularly relevant for Ingatestone homeowners, where the risk to vehicles is concentrated in the hours of darkness. By stopping threats at the boundary, scOS ensures your home remains a sanctuary, effectively deterring opportunistic criminals who would otherwise target traditional, reactive security systems.