South Woodham Ferrers Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile of South Woodham Ferrers in December 2023 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, shaped by both local characteristics and seasonal dynamics. With a total crime rate of 3.1 per 1,000 residents—56.9% below the UK average—the area demonstrates a marked contrast to national trends, particularly in categories where local rates are significantly lower. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime mix, accounting for 50% of all reported incidents. This emphasis on violent crime, while below the UK average, may reflect the area’s demographic composition, including a mix of residential and commercial zones where interpersonal conflicts are more likely to occur. Property crimes, though less frequent, showed a different pattern: shoplifting (12% of total) and vehicle crime (10% of total) were both below UK averages, possibly influenced by the built-up area’s limited retail density and the seasonal context of Christmas shopping, which typically drives retail-related offences. The low rates of anti-social behaviour (8% of total) and public order offences (6% of total) suggest effective community policing or strong local social cohesion, though these figures must be interpreted cautiously given the small absolute numbers involved. Seasonal factors in December—such as reduced daylight hours, holiday-related absences, and increased foot traffic in commercial areas—likely contributed to the distribution of crimes, with violent incidents rising due to heightened social interactions in public spaces. The overall crime rate remains well below UK averages, indicating that South Woodham Ferrers is a relatively safe built-up area within Chelmsford, though targeted efforts to address specific issues like vehicle crime and robbery may be necessary to maintain this trend.

December 2023 saw sharp increases in vehicle crime (+150%) and robbery (+100%) compared to November, though these were offset by steep declines in other categories. The crime mix revealed a striking imbalance: violent crimes (50% of total) far outnumbered property crimes (22%), a pattern consistent with the area’s 50.0% share of violence and sexual offences, which is 39% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour also stood out, with a 68% gap below the national rate, suggesting strong local community engagement or policing efforts. Shoplifting remained a persistent issue, with rates 18% below the UK average, possibly reflecting the area’s retail presence and seasonal pressures like Christmas shopping. The 85.7% drop in other theft cases may indicate improved security measures or temporary reductions in opportunistic crime during the holiday period.

South Woodham Ferrers recorded a crime rate of 3.1 per 1,000 residents in December 2023, a 27.7% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.3 per 1,000. This reduction aligns with a broader trend of lower crime activity in the built-up area, though the monthly exposure figure remains informative: over the course of December, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 321 residents. Daily crime context shows an average of two crimes per day across the 31-day period, a figure that reflects the area’s relatively low overall crime profile compared to national benchmarks. With a population of 16,056, the localised nature of incidents—such as the 25 reported violence and sexual offences—suggests that community-specific factors, rather than broad demographic shifts, may influence crime patterns. The monthly data also highlights the area’s divergence from UK averages, particularly in categories like anti-social behaviour, where rates are 68% below the national figure. These disparities underscore the importance of contextual analysis rather than generalisations about the area’s safety.