Great Horkesley Crime Rate

Great Horkesley is a very safe and secure village, with an annual crime rate of 35.7 per 1,000 people. This is far below the UK national average of 93.1, giving the area an excellent safety score of 89 out of 100. However, the crime trend is currently increasing, with a 21.7% rise in reported incidents year-over-year. Despite this increase, the overall volume of crime remains low, and the property crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 reflects an exceptionally secure living environment. The following sections provide a detailed look at the types of crime reported and when they occur.

Crime in Great Horkesley

In Great Horkesley, the most common crime type is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 64.4% of all reports with 47 incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 6.8% (5 cases) and public order offences at 5.5% (4 cases). These three categories represent the majority of local police reports.

Property crime in Great Horkesley is exceptionally low, with a rate of 5.9 per 1,000 people. This includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts. Burglary accounts for 4.1% of total crime, and vehicle crime also stands at 4.1%. For residents, this indicates a very secure environment where the risk of serious property crime is minimal compared to the national average. However, the high percentage of violent crime, although the total number of incidents is low, suggests that personal safety remains the primary concern for local people.

Crime Trends in Great Horkesley

Great Horkesley has seen an increasing crime trend, with a 21.7% rise in total offences over the last year. Monthly data reveals that the crime rate has been somewhat volatile, fluctuating between 1.0 and 5.4 per 1,000.

The highest activity was recorded in August 2025 (5.4) and October 2025 (4.4), while the lowest rate occurred in July 2025 at 1.0 per 1,000. This increase in activity and the overall upward trend are important for residents to note, although the village remains exceptionally safe compared to national averages. Staying informed about local safety and maintaining good home security are key to managing this change in the local environment.

How To Keep Safe in Great Horkesley

With violence and sexual offences being the most common category, personal safety remains important even in a very safe village like Great Horkesley. Residents are advised to be aware of their surroundings, especially when walking in more isolated spots after dark. Sticking to well-lit paths and letting someone know your expected return time are simple but effective measures.

The prevalence of anti-social behaviour and public order offences suggests that securing your home and supporting community initiatives is a priority. Ensure all doors and windows are locked, and consider using security lighting. Since other theft and burglary are also factors, keep any high-value items out of sight and secure any outbuildings or sheds. Reporting any unusual activity to the local police helps them maintain Great Horkesley's high safety score. Community vigilance is often the best defence in small, close-knit villages like this, particularly given the recent upward trend in reported crime.

Crime in Great Horkesley follows a distinct temporal pattern. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the dominant offence, accounting for up to 43% of crimes between 12pm and 6pm. This likely relates to daytime activity around local properties. In the evening, the focus shifts toward 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order, which make up 34% of reports between 6pm and 12am. Overnight, vehicle crime and burglary become much more prominent, with vehicle crime reaching 45% of all reports between 12am and 6am. This suggests that residential properties and vehicles are at their highest risk during the early hours of the morning. Residents are advised to ensure all doors and windows are securely locked overnight.

Great Horkesley's safety profile is strong when compared to its neighbours. It is significantly safer than the nearby village of West Bergholt (50.9 per 1,000), although it sees more activity than very small rural parishes like Tye Green, Boxted, and Boxted Cross, which report no crime at all (0.0 per 1,000). This comparison highlights Great Horkesley's status as a safe village, though it experiences more activity than its very small rural neighbours, likely due to its larger population and local amenities. Overall, it remains an exceptionally safe area.

Great Horkesley’s property crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 is among the best in the country, but the 21.7% increase in overall crime is a trend that residents should monitor. In a safe village, residents can sometimes become less vigilant, making them targets for opportunistic thieves. Traditional security systems that only record footage are less effective here, as they don't prevent a crime from happening in the first place.

A proactive AI system like scOS is an excellent choice for Great Horkesley residents. By monitoring your property boundaries in real-time, it can detect suspicious activity—like someone checking car doors or loitering near your home—before they act. The system can then activate autonomous responses, such as lighting or audio warnings, to deter the individual immediately. This "boundary-first" approach is the best way to ensure your property remains secure, giving you peace of mind that your home is protected even with the recent increase in local crime.