West Horndon Crime Rate

West Horndon is a secure and established residential area, currently holding a solid safety score of 83/100. The area's overall crime rate is 74.0 per 1,000 residents, which is notably lower than the UK national average of 93.1. Property crime is higher than the national benchmark, standing at 40.7 per 1,000 people compared to the UK average of 32.9. The recent crime trend is classified as decreasing, with a notable 12.4% reduction year-over-year. While these figures indicate a generally safe environment, the detailed data highlights a very high concentration of vehicle-related crime, especially during the night hours when it accounts for over 80% of all reported incidents. This suggests that while general safety is high, proactive vehicle security remains a primary priority for local residents. The following sections provide a comprehensive breakdown of the types of crime and the temporal patterns affecting West Horndon.

Crime Breakdown in West Horndon

Vehicle crime is the most significant issue in West Horndon, accounting for 29.2% of all reported incidents (21.6 per 1,000 residents). Violence and sexual offences are the second most common at 23.3%, followed by other theft at 12.5%. When looking at property crime collectively—including burglary, vehicle crime, and all forms of theft—the rate is 40.7 per 1,000 people. This is notably higher than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9. Specifically, vehicle crime is a major factor in the local breakdown, especially during the night hours. For residents, this means that while the overall safety score is high, protecting vehicles and the home from property-related crime is the primary security priority in West Horndon.

Crime Trends in West Horndon

West Horndon has seen a positive shift in its crime landscape, with a year-over-year decrease of 12.4%. Monthly data from late 2024 through 2025 shows the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuating between 1.9 and 11.7. The rate was at its lowest in September 2025, but saw a notable peak in October. Over the rest of the year, the rate has generally remained lower than the previous year's average. This overall reduction is a strong indicator that West Horndon is becoming an even safer community, although the concentration of vehicle crime remains an area that requires continued attention from both police and residents. Despite the October spike, the downward trend is encouraging.

How To Keep Safe in West Horndon

The most common crime in West Horndon is vehicle crime, particularly at night. To stay safe, always ensure your car is parked in a garage if possible, 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. For general safety, we recommend being aware of your surroundings and sticking to well-lit routes when walking at night. 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. Given the high vehicle crime rate, this is the most effective way to prevent theft.

Crime timing in West Horndon 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 40-60% of incidents. However, vehicle crime risk surges dramatically at night. Between 6pm and 12am, vehicle crime accounts for 57% of crimes, but this surges to 82% between 12am and 6am. Burglary remains a risk throughout the day, peaking at 8% in the afternoon. This data indicates that while daytime crime is mostly opportunistic theft, the night hours pose an extreme 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, West Horndon is a relatively active residential area. With a crime rate of 74.0 per 1,000, it has a higher incident rate than nearby Ingrave and Herongate (30.4). However, it is more secure than nearby Bulphan (83.5). While it has a higher incident rate than the villages of Childerditch and Little Warley (which both recorded zero crimes), it remains a safe settlement in the immediate area. For those seeking a village environment with consistently manageable crime levels and a positive downward trend, West Horndon offers a secure and stable community that performs better than the national average.

West Horndon's property crime rate of 40.7 per 1,000 residents highlights a persistent risk to physical assets, particularly vehicles. The data shows a massive spike in vehicle crime at night, accounting for a staggering 82% of all incidents between midnight and 6am. In an area with this level of activity, traditional security measures like basic CCTV or standard alarms are often insufficient because they are reactive; they only record the event after your property has been breached. To truly secure your home and cars in West Horndon, a proactive approach is required. 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 detection is the most effective way to protect your assets, ensuring that opportunistic criminals move on to easier targets. By shifting from recording crime to preventing it, scOS provides a level of professional-grade security that traditional systems simply cannot match.