South Woodham Ferrers Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For an area of 16,056 residents, August 2023 saw 54 crimes reported—equating to a crime rate of 3.4 per 1,000 people. This figure is 58.0% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, marking one of the lowest rates in the country for this built-up area within Chelmsford. The breakdown reveals that violence and sexual offences dominated, accounting for 25 incidents (46.3% of total crimes), followed by drugs (9.3%) and shoplifting (9.3%). These patterns align with the area's character as a suburban commuter hub, where local retail and community spaces may contribute to certain crime types. Seasonal factors also play a role: August, a peak holiday month, saw increased burglary risks due to empty homes, though the overall rate remained significantly below national averages. The lower-than-expected rates for shoplifting and anti-social behaviour—50% and 79% below UK averages respectively—suggest effective local deterrence measures or community engagement efforts. However, the prominence of violence and sexual offences, which are 39% below the UK average for this category, indicates targeted issues that may require further attention. The data reflects a combination of local demographics, seasonal activity, and policing effectiveness, all contributing to a crime profile that diverges from broader national trends.

August 2023 saw notable shifts in crime patterns. Burglary increased by 100% compared to July, rising from 0 to 3 incidents—a stark contrast to the 87.5% drop in vehicle crime, which fell from 8 to 1. This divergence may reflect seasonal dynamics: with August being a peak holiday month, empty homes likely increased burglary risks, while reduced vehicle traffic in the area may have curbed vehicle-related offences. Bicycle theft also doubled, reaching 2 incidents, though this category remained 11% above the UK average. Conversely, anti-social behaviour decreased by 42.9%, and criminal damage and arson fell by 57.1%, linked to targeted enforcement efforts or community initiatives. The drugs category, however, rose by 66.7% to 5 incidents, a rate 36% above the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. This anomaly may indicate localized pressures, such as increased illicit activity during summer months. Shoplifting remained 50% below the UK average, despite a 100% increase in absolute terms from zero to 5 incidents. This suggests that while shoplifting is occurring, local interventions or retail security measures may be mitigating its prevalence. These fluctuations highlight the need for ongoing analysis of specific crime types and their contextual drivers.

The crime rate in August 2023 (3.4 per 1,000) marked a 13.0% decrease from July's rate of 3.9 per 1,000, reflecting a continued downward trend. Daily crime statistics show an average of 2 incidents per day over the month, a figure that contextualizes the pace of activity for residents. On a monthly basis, this equates to one reported crime for every 297 residents—a ratio that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in this built-up area. When compared to the UK average, South Woodham Ferrers' overall rate is 58.0% lower, a disparity that highlights the area's unique characteristics. For context, the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000 includes higher rates of property crime and public order offences, which are underrepresented here. The daily crime count of 2 incidents per day, while seemingly high in absolute terms, is proportionally modest when scaled to the local population. Residents are 58.0% less likely to experience crime than the average UK citizen, a statistic that may be attributed to the area's suburban nature, community policing efforts, or effective crime prevention strategies. However, the 36% increase in drug-related incidents compared to the UK average suggests a specific challenge that warrants targeted attention, even as broader crime trends remain favorable.