Copford Crime Rate

Copford is an exceptionally safe urban settlement in Essex with an outstanding safety score of 98/100. The village's overall crime rate is just 8.2 per 1,000 people, which is vastly lower than the UK average of 91.6. Recent data shows that the crime trend is decreasing significantly, with a 31.0% reduction in total offences year-over-year. While violence and vehicle crime are the most frequently recorded crime types, the absolute volume of crime is remarkably low. Property crime is a factor, particularly vehicle crime during the night. This report provides a detailed breakdown of Copford's crime statistics, offering residents and businesses valuable insights into local safety patterns and how to best protect their property in this exceptionally quiet Essex settlement.

Crime in Copford

Crime in Copford is primarily composed of violence and sexual offences, which account for 34.5% of all recorded incidents (2.9 per 1,000 residents). Vehicle crime is the second most common category at 17.2%, followed by burglary and 'other theft', each making up 10.3% of the total. These figures suggest that the majority of police activity in the village involves personal safety and property-level issues.

Property crime as a whole—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, criminal damage, and anti-social behaviour—occurs at a rate of 3.7 per 1,000 residents. Within this category, vehicle crime is the most frequent with 5 incidents. Burglary and 'other theft' follow with 3 recorded crimes each, while criminal damage and arson recorded 2 incidents. For homeowners, the burglary rate of 0.8 per 1,000 (3 incidents) is exceptionally low, but the fact that 37% of afternoon crime is burglary-related is a notable pattern. Residents should be aware that while the overall crime rate is very low, property crime is often concentrated in specific time windows, with 62% of night-time crime being vehicle-related. Robust security for both the home and vehicles is the most effective way for residents to protect their property.

Crime Trends in Copford

The crime rate in Copford has seen a significant decreasing trend over the last twelve months, with a 31.0% reduction in total offences year-over-year. This downward trajectory indicates that the village's safety profile is improving from an already exceptionally low base, providing a very secure environment for its residents.

The monthly trend data for 2025 shows an exceptionally low volume of crime throughout the year. The year began with a rate of 0.6 per 1,000 in January, and never rose above 1.4 per 1,000. Peaks occurred in March (1.4) and September/October (1.1). For several months, including July and August, the crime rate was so low it wasn't even recorded in the monthly breakdown. The year ended with a rate of 0.9 in December. These fluctuations are typical for a settlement of this size, where a single incident can significantly impact the monthly rate. The overall decreasing trend is a strong indicator of an exceptionally safe and well-regulated community with no emerging crime issues.

How To Keep Safe in Copford

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Copford, followed by vehicle crime and burglary. While the overall volume of crime is exceptionally low, taking these practical steps can help you maintain your security.

1. Secure Vehicles at Night: With 62% of night-time crime involving vehicles, ensure your car is parked in a garage or a well-lit driveway. Use physical deterrents like steering locks to discourage opportunistic thieves.
2. Be Vigilant in the Afternoon: 37% of afternoon crimes are burglary-related. Always lock your doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a short period, and keep a close eye on personal belongings in public.
3. Protect Against Evening Theft: 29% of evening crimes involve burglary. Use timers on lights when you are out and ensure that side gates are locked to prevent easy access to the rear of your property.
4. Report Suspicious Activity: While anti-social behaviour is low, reporting any unusual activity to the police helps maintain the village's exceptionally peaceful atmosphere and ensures public spaces remain safe.
5. Home Perimeter Protection: Visible deterrents are essential. Ensure that side gates are locked and that your property has adequate lighting to discourage loitering and opportunistic theft, especially during the evening and night.

The timing of crime in Copford reveals a sharp divide between daytime burglary and night-time vehicle risk. During the morning and afternoon, theft and burglary-related offences are the most common, accounting for 28% and 37% of crimes in those periods respectively. This suggests that the home is at its highest risk during the hours when the village is most active.

In contrast, the risk to vehicles increases dramatically as the day ends. Vehicle crime risk peaks during the night (12am to 6am), with 62% of all night-time offences in the village involving vehicles. This is followed by the evening period (6pm to 12am), where vehicle crime accounts for 37% of incidents. Evening hours are also more likely to feature 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which make up 23% of the total. Interestingly, burglary remains relatively high across all time periods except the morning, peaking at 37% in the afternoon. For residents, this data indicates that while vehicles require the most protection during the hours of darkness, the home requires consistent security throughout the day and night.

Copford sits in an exceptionally low-crime part of Essex. It is significantly more secure than the nearby city of Colchester (103.6) and is also much safer than the neighbouring area of Marks Tey (60.8). Its safety profile is comparable to the exceptionally quiet neighbours of Eight Ash Green, Heckfordbridge, and Fordstreet, all of which recorded 0.0 crimes. For residents, Copford offers a premier safety profile, providing a much more protected environment than larger urban centres while maintaining the tranquil character of the region. The significant decreasing trend further enhances its reputation as one of the safest places to live.

In an exceptionally safe environment like Copford, where the property crime rate is just 3.7 per 1,000, homeowners might feel that standard security is unnecessary. However, the data reveals that vehicle crime is the primary property offence, and it is most likely to occur at night (62%). Traditional reactive security—like DIY cameras that send a notification after someone is already at your door—frequently fails to prevent a crime from occurring.

scOS offers a different approach: proactive protection. As an AI-powered security operating system, scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries in real-time. It can distinguish between a neighbour and a potential intruder, activating an autonomous response like lights or audible warnings the moment a boundary is breached. For Copford residents, this means threats to vehicles and outbuildings are deterred before they ever reach the house or car. In a village where crime is exceptionally rare, a proactive system ensures your property remains a difficult target, providing a level of security that traditional recording-only systems cannot match.