South Woodham Ferrers Crime Rate

South Woodham Ferrers is one of the safest urban areas in the region, boasting an overall crime rate of 35.8 per 1,000 people—significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6. The town has an impressive safety score of 91/100, well above the national average of 79/100. Furthermore, crime is on a notable downward trend, with a -10.7% decrease recorded between January 2025 and December 2025. This combination of low crime volume and a positive trend direction makes South Woodham Ferrers a highly desirable and secure location for residents. The area's property crime rate is also remarkably low, reflecting a stable and well-protected community. The following sections provide a deeper analysis of the local crime breakdown and safety patterns.

Crime Breakdown in South Woodham Ferrers

South Woodham Ferrers maintains a very low crime profile, with violence and sexual offences being the most frequent type at 45.7% of all reports (263 incidents). Anti-social behaviour (8.5%) and shoplifting (7.8%) are the next most common. The overall property crime rate is exceptionally low at 10.5 per 1,000 people, which is less than a third of the UK average of 32.2. This includes offences such as burglary, vehicle crime, and theft. Burglary itself is rare, with only 14 incidents reported (0.9 per 1,000). For residents, this data indicates a highly secure environment where property-related threats are minimal compared to national standards. However, other theft (7.5%) and vehicle crime (4.3%) still occur, suggesting that basic security precautions remain relevant for maintaining this area's excellent safety record.

South Woodham Ferrers is experiencing a significant decrease in crime, with a -10.7% reduction year-over-year. Monthly data for 2025 shows that the town maintains consistently low rates, starting at 2.6 in January and reaching a low of 1.6 in April. There was a slight seasonal increase during the summer months, peaking at 3.9 in August, which is a common trend across the UK. However, the rate remained stable through the autumn and winter, finishing the year at 3.4 in December. This downward trend is a positive indicator that the town's safety is not only high but continues to improve, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most secure places to live in the Essex region.

How To Keep Safe in South Woodham Ferrers

The most common crime in South Woodham Ferrers is violence and sexual offences, although the total number of incidents is very low. To maintain your safety in the town, consider these tips:

1. Continue to use well-lit routes when walking home at night, particularly from the town centre or the railway station.
2. Be mindful of personal safety in public parks and riverside areas during the late evening, especially if you are alone.
3. Ensure that your home and outbuildings are properly secured; even in safe areas, opportunistic theft can occur if doors or windows are left unlocked.
4. Keep your vehicle clear of valuables and ensure it is locked, as vehicle crime is one of the more common night-time offences in the area.
5. Participate in local community watch schemes to stay informed about any rare incidents and help maintain the town's high safety standards.

Crime patterns in South Woodham Ferrers are relatively stable, with activity peaking during the daytime. Morning and afternoon periods see the highest proportion of theft-related offences, at 54% and 58% respectively, likely linked to local retail activity. As evening approaches, 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour, become more prominent, accounting for 49% of reports. During the night (12am-6am), there is a significant shift towards vehicle-related crime, which makes up 38% of the limited activity during these hours. Burglary remains a small but consistent factor throughout the day, with a slight peak at 16% during the night. Because the overall volume of crime is so low, these patterns represent very few actual incidents, but they do highlight when residents should be most mindful of specific security concerns.

South Woodham Ferrers stands out as a particularly safe haven within its local geography. When compared to nearby Hullbridge (43.0 per 1,000) and Battlesbridge (57.8 per 1,000), it maintains a significantly lower crime rate. While the smaller settlements of Woodham Ferrers and Rettendon report 0.0 crimes per 1,000, South Woodham Ferrers offers a much larger population and more amenities while still maintaining a safety profile that is far superior to most UK towns. This makes it an ideal choice for those who want the convenience of a town with the security levels typically associated with much smaller villages. Its consistent performance as a low-crime area reinforces its status as a premier residential location in the Chelmsford district.

In an exceptionally safe area like South Woodham Ferrers, where the property crime rate is a mere 10.5 per 1,000, homeowners might be tempted to rely on basic security. However, maintaining such a high level of safety requires a proactive approach. Traditional security systems like standard CCTV or video doorbells only record events as they happen, which is of little use if you want to prevent a crime entirely. A proactive AI-powered system like scOS offers a different level of security. By monitoring your property's boundary in real-time, scOS can identify potential threats and autonomously respond—using lights or audio deterrents—before a break-in occurs. This is particularly effective for preventing the small number of vehicle crimes and burglaries that do occur, mostly under the cover of darkness. For residents of South Woodham Ferrers, scOS isn't just about recording footage; it's about ensuring your home remains an unattractive target, preserving the peace and security that the town is known for.