Great Horkesley Crime Rate

Great Horkesley is a highly secure residential settlement with an overall crime rate of 35.2 per 1,000 people. This figure is remarkably low, sitting well below the UK average of 91.6, and is reflected in the area's excellent safety score of 89/100. Although there has been a 9.1% increase in crime year-over-year, the total volume of incidents remains small, typical of a well-established village community. Located just north of Colchester, Great Horkesley provides a peaceful alternative to the busier urban centre. The following breakdown provides detailed insights into the types of crime reported and the temporal patterns observed in the area between January and December 2025.

Crime Breakdown in Great Horkesley

Crime in Great Horkesley is heavily dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for a significant 65.3% of all reported incidents. This equates to 23.0 crimes per 1,000 residents. The remaining crime types are distributed in much smaller volumes, with criminal damage, public order, other theft, and vehicle crime each representing 5.6% of the total. This concentration suggests that most police activity in the area is focused on interpersonal incidents rather than property-related offences.

The overall property crime rate in Great Horkesley is notably low at 6.9 per 1,000 people. This includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage. This figure is exceptionally low when compared to the UK average of 32.2, making Great Horkesley one of the safer residential areas for property owners. Burglary is particularly rare, accounting for just 2.8% of total crime. For residents, these statistics indicate that while personal safety and community conduct are the primary areas of concern, the risk of falling victim to serious property theft or home invasion is statistically minimal.

Crime Trends in Great Horkesley

Total crime in Great Horkesley has increased by 9.1% year-over-year. While any increase is notable, it is important to remember that the overall crime rate remains very low, meaning a small number of additional incidents can lead to a visible percentage rise.

The monthly data for 2025 highlights significant variability. The safest months were July and December, both recording a very low rate of 1.0 to 1.5 crimes per 1,000 residents. In contrast, August 2025 saw a substantial spike, with the rate jumping to 5.4, more than five times the July low. Other peaks occurred in January, October, and November. These fluctuations suggest that crime in Great Horkesley is often seasonal or linked to specific short-term events rather than being a persistent, year-round issue. For residents, the overall low volume is the key takeaway, despite the slight annual increase.

How To Keep Safe in Great Horkesley

The most common crime type in Great Horkesley is violence and sexual offences, which often includes personal or community-based disputes. Staying safe involves awareness and proactive community engagement.

1. When walking through the village, particularly in the evening, stick to well-lit routes and avoid isolated areas like footpaths or unlit lanes.
2. Ensure your home's exterior is well-lit at night; motion-sensor lighting is an excellent way to deter anti-social behaviour near your property.
3. Be aware of your surroundings when using expensive electronics in public, as keeping these items out of sight reduces the risk of opportunistic theft.
4. Engaging with local community groups or a Neighbourhood Watch can help you stay informed about any local safety issues and foster a more secure environment.
5. If you are travelling late at night, try to arrange a lift or use a reputable taxi service rather than walking long distances alone.

Temporal patterns in Great Horkesley show that theft is the most frequent crime during daylight hours, accounting for 39% of incidents in the morning (6am to 12pm) and rising to 49% in the afternoon (12pm to 6pm). This suggests that opportunistic theft is most likely when the village is most active. As the day ends, the focus shifts; evening hours (6pm to 12am) are dominated by "other" crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order issues, which make up 45% of reports. During the night (12am to 6am), vehicle crime becomes the primary concern, accounting for 58% of all incidents. Burglary risks peak in the afternoon at 12%, indicating that daytime security for homes is just as important as overnight measures.

Great Horkesley is part of a cluster of very safe villages in the Colchester district. Compared to its neighbour West Bergholt, which has a crime rate of 47.3 per 1,000, Great Horkesley is notably safer. However, it does see more reported activity than its most rural neighbours; Tye Green, Boxted, and Boxted Cross all reported zero crimes per 1,000 people. This suggests that Great Horkesley's slightly larger population and its position along a main commuter route into Colchester lead to a marginally higher level of reported incidents than the surrounding hamlets. Nonetheless, it remains one of the most secure locations in the region for residents and families alike.

With a property crime rate of only 6.9 per 1,000 people, Great Horkesley is a very safe place to live, but maintaining that security requires a modern approach. Traditional CCTV systems are reactive; they record a crime as it happens but do little to stop it. For homeowners in Great Horkesley who want to be proactive, scOS offers an AI-powered security solution that prevents crime before it occurs. By monitoring property boundaries with multi-camera intelligence, scOS can identify suspicious behaviour and trigger autonomous responses—such as activating lights or speakers—to deter potential intruders. This system is particularly effective because it learns your family's routines and only alerts you to genuine threats. In an area where burglary is rare, a visible and proactive system like scOS ensures your property remains a "hard target," encouraging opportunistic criminals to look elsewhere and preserving the peace of your home.