South Woodham Ferrers Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

South Woodham Ferrers recorded a crime rate of 4.4 per 1,000 residents in October 2023, placing it 45% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This low rate reflects the area's character as a smaller built-up area within Chelmsford, where community cohesion and limited nightlife may contribute to lower overall crime levels. The most common crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 40.9% of all reported incidents (29 cases), followed by shoplifting (12.7%) and public order offences (8.5%). While violence rates were 33% below the UK average, the area's shoplifting rate was 3% above national figures, a pattern consistent with retail presence in the local economy. October's seasonal context—shorter evenings, Halloween, and the clocks going back—may have influenced crime patterns, with darker conditions affecting visibility and deterrence for certain offences. The balance between property and violent crime remained skewed towards violence. of the total (28 cases). This mix contrasts with larger urban centres where property crime typically dominates, highlighting the influence of local demographics and infrastructure on crime profiles. The data illustrates how geographic and social factors interact to shape crime trends, even within a low-rate environment.

October 2023 saw a 14.5% increase in South Woodham Ferrers' overall crime rate compared to September, with several notable shifts in crime patterns. Vehicle crime rose by 500% (1 to 6 cases), a jump that may partly reflect the transition to darker evenings and increased vehicle-related activity in the area. Other crime and bicycle theft both doubled (from 1 to 3 cases), with the latter's 100% increase possibly linked to seasonal factors such as Halloween or changes in local activity. Conversely, violence and sexual offences decreased by 9.4% (from 32 to 29 cases), though they remained 33% below the UK average. This decline in violent crime contrasts with the UK-wide trend, where violence rates typically rise in autumn months. The area's shoplifting rate was 3% above the UK average, a small but notable divergence that could indicate local retail dynamics. For residents, the 500% surge in vehicle crime offers a specific insight: increased vigilance around parked vehicles during October may be warranted. The data also reveals that public order offences were 32% below the UK average, a pattern consistent with the area's smaller scale and lower density of venues that typically drive such incidents.

The crime rate in October 2023 (4.4 per 1,000) represented a 14.5% increase from September's 3.9 per 1,000, though it remained significantly below the UK average. Over the course of the month, 71 crimes were reported across 16,056 residents, equating to roughly one crime for every 226 residents. This monthly exposure rate provides context for residents: in a typical year, a resident of South Woodham Ferrers would encounter approximately 2.6 crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 2 crimes per day, a figure that aligns with the area's low overall crime profile. When compared to the UK average, the area's 4.4 per 1,000 rate highlights its status as a relatively safe community, with violent crime rates 33% below national levels and property crime rates similarly subdued. The population-scaled perspective reveals that while the absolute number of crimes increased slightly, the per-capita rate remains comfortably below national benchmarks. This contrast is particularly evident in categories like anti-social behaviour, which were 84% below the UK average, suggesting that local social dynamics or policing efforts may play a role in maintaining lower levels of disorder. The comparison underscores how South Woodham Ferrers' unique demographic and geographic profile contributes to its distinct crime picture, even as national trends shift.