Great Leighs Crime Rate

Great Leighs is a safe and desirable village with an overall crime rate of 46.9 per 1,000 people, which is well below the UK average of 91.6. The area enjoys a high safety score of 88/100, significantly outperforming the national average of 79/100. Furthermore, crime is on a clear downward trend, with a massive -41.3% year-over-year decrease recorded between January 2025 and December 2025. This combination of a low crime rate and a rapidly decreasing trend makes Great Leighs an exceptionally secure environment for its population of over 3,000 residents. While property crime is remarkably low, certain types like vehicle crime and burglary remain points of focus for local security. This report provides a detailed analysis of when and where these crimes occur.

Crime Breakdown in Great Leighs

In Great Leighs, violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crime, accounting for 50.4% of all incidents (71 cases). Anti-social behaviour is the second most common at 12.1%, followed by criminal damage and arson and public order offences, both at 6.4%. The overall property crime rate for Great Leighs is 9.6 per 1,000 people, which is exceptionally low and far below the UK average of 32.2. This property crime figure includes vehicle crime (2.3 per 1,000), other theft (2.3 per 1,000), and burglary (1.3 per 1,000). For residents, the data suggests that while the area is generally very safe, property-related offences like vehicle crime are a notable factor. Homeowners should be aware that vehicle crime in Great Leighs is a factor, especially during the night when it accounts for 48% of all reported offences, making vehicle security a relevant priority for the local community.

Great Leighs is currently experiencing a massive downward trend in crime, with a -41.3% year-over-year decrease. Monthly data for 2025 shows that the village maintains a very low rate that fluctuates between 1.0 in March and 6.7 in July and August. The year began with a low rate and saw a gradual increase through the spring and summer, which is a typical seasonal pattern. However, the overall volume remains low, and the massive percentage decrease over the 12-month period is a strong indicator of a rapidly improving safety environment. This trend suggests that Great Leighs is becoming an exceptionally secure place for its residents, despite the seasonal fluctuations in reported incidents.

How To Keep Safe in Great Leighs

The most common crime in Great Leighs is violence and sexual offences, but vehicle crime is also a notable factor. To enhance your personal and property safety in the village, we recommend the following:

1. Be aware of your surroundings when walking in the village during the evening, particularly in less well-lit residential streets or near public footpaths.
2. Ensure that your home is secure during the afternoon (12pm-6pm), as this is a peak time for burglary incidents in the area.
3. Park your vehicle in a well-lit area or a secure driveway overnight, as vehicle crime accounts for a significant 48% of night-time offences.
4. Keep all valuables out of sight in your car and ensure all windows and doors are locked, even if you are only away from the vehicle for a short time.
5. Consider joining a local neighbourhood watch group to stay informed about any local security issues and to help maintain Great Leighs' strong community safety.

Crime in Great Leighs follows a distinct temporal pattern. Daytime hours, specifically the morning and afternoon, are dominated by theft offences, which make up 43% and 51% of crimes respectively. This is common for residential areas. As evening sets in, 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order, become the primary concern, accounting for 48% of incidents. Night-time (12am-6am) presents a different risk profile, with vehicle crime peaking at 48% and burglary at 13% of all reports during these hours. Interestingly, burglary also peaks at 14% during the afternoon, suggesting that opportunistic thieves target homes when residents may be out. These patterns highlight the importance of maintaining high security for both homes and vehicles throughout the 24-hour cycle.

Great Leighs is located between Chelmsford and Braintree, offering a quieter alternative to the larger urban centres. Its crime rate of 46.9 per 1,000 is much lower than Chelmsford's 93.6, highlighting the safety benefits of its village location. When compared to other nearby areas, it has a similar safety profile to Great Notley (43.9) and Black Notley (40.2). It is safer than Rayne (37.5). The smaller settlement of Young's End reports 0.0 crimes per 1,000 in this dataset. For residents, Great Leighs offers an excellent safety profile, providing a significantly more secure environment than the nearby towns while maintaining a consistent level of safety across its residential streets. This makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a peaceful, low-crime environment.

In Great Leighs, where the property crime rate is an exceptionally low 9.6 per 1,000, homeowners should focus on proactive security to maintain the area's high safety standards. Vehicle crime and burglary are the primary concerns, particularly during the night and afternoon hours. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV, are reactive; they record footage of an incident that has already happened, which often does little to prevent the crime or recover stolen goods. A proactive AI-powered system like scOS changes this dynamic. By monitoring your property's boundary in real-time, scOS uses AI to detect potential intruders before they gain entry. The system can autonomously respond with lights or audio deterrents, destroying the element of surprise that criminals rely on. This is especially valuable in Great Leighs, where 48% of night-time crime is vehicle-related and 13% is burglary. By choosing a system that prevents crime rather than just recording it, you ensure your home and vehicles remain difficult targets, effectively deterring opportunistic offenders and protecting your assets around the clock.