Kelvedon Hatch Crime Rate

Kelvedon Hatch is a secure and established residential area, currently holding a solid safety score of 83/100. The area's overall crime rate is 68.5 per 1,000 residents, which is notably lower than the UK national average of 93.1. Property crime is also lower than the national benchmark, standing at 23.4 per 1,000 people compared to the UK average of 32.9. While the area has seen a 18.2% increase in crime over the past year, it remains a relatively low-risk location. However, 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 Kelvedon Hatch

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Kelvedon Hatch, accounting for 36.8% of all reported incidents (25.2 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent at 15.4%, followed by vehicle crime at 12.8%. When looking at property crime collectively—including burglary, vehicle crime, and all forms of theft—the rate is 23.4 per 1,000 people. This is notably 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 Kelvedon Hatch is statistically safe, protecting vehicles and the home from opportunistic property crime is a key security priority.

Crime Trends in Kelvedon Hatch

Kelvedon Hatch has seen a moderate increase in its crime rate over the past year, with a year-over-year rise of 18.2%. Monthly data from late 2024 through 2025 shows the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuating between 2.3 and 7.6. The rate was at its lowest in January 2025, but saw multiple peaks in March, June, and July. Over the last four months of the year, the rate has remained relatively steady at between 4.1 and 7.0. This overall increase from a lower base suggests that while Kelvedon Hatch remains a safe community, residents should be more mindful of their home and vehicle security. Despite the increase, the area maintains a high safety score.

How To Keep Safe in Kelvedon Hatch

The most common crime in Kelvedon Hatch 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 area's specific risk profile.

Crime timing in Kelvedon Hatch shows a significant shift in property risk as the day progresses. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft and vehicle crime are both notable concerns, accounting for around 20-30% of incidents. However, vehicle crime risk surges dramatically at night. Between 6pm and 12am, vehicle crime accounts for 28% of crimes, but this surges to 53% between 12am and 6am. Burglary remains a risk throughout the day, peaking at 35% 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, Kelvedon Hatch is a safe residential option. With a crime rate of 68.5 per 1,000, it is more active than nearby Doddinghurst (24.4). While it has a higher incident rate than the villages of Stondon Massey, Paslow Wood Common, and Doddinghurst Common (which all recorded zero crimes), it remains one of the more secure settlements in the immediate area. For those seeking a peaceful village environment with consistently low crime levels, Kelvedon Hatch offers a secure and stable community that performs significantly better than regional and national averages.

Kelvedon Hatch enjoys a lower property crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000, but the data reveals a specific vulnerability: vehicle crime accounts for 53% 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 Kelvedon Hatch, 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 Kelvedon Hatch 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.