West Bergholt Crime Rate

West Bergholt is a highly regarded village that offers an exceptional level of safety, reflected in its high safety score of 88/100. This is significantly better than the UK average of 79. The overall crime rate stands at 49.1 per 1,000 residents, which is nearly half the national average of 91.7. While the crime trend has shown a notable 60.4% increase over the past year, it is important to note that this is from a very low base. West Bergholt remains one of the most secure and peaceful settlements in the region, characterized by a strong community spirit and low levels of serious property crime, making it a premier choice for residents and families alike.

West Bergholt maintains a high safety score of 88/100, but its crime breakdown shows that violence and sexual offences are the most frequent incidents, accounting for 45.1% of the total. This is followed by shoplifting at 15.4% and public order offences at 9.3%. Property crime, which includes burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, occurs at a rate of 17.6 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3, indicating that West Bergholt is a secure location for property owners. Specifically, burglary stands at 2.7 per 1,000, and vehicle crime is very low at just 1.2 per 1,000. For residents, these statistics suggest that while personal safety and retail-related theft are the primary areas of activity, the risk of serious property intrusion or vehicle theft remains minimal, contributing to the area's excellent safety reputation.

West Bergholt has seen a significant 60.4% increase in its crime rate over the past year. Analysis of the monthly data from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 reveals a fluctuating pattern. The year began with very low rates, around 2.1 to 3.9 per 1,000. However, a sharp spike occurred in the spring, with the rate climbing to 7.3 in April and 6.1 in May. The rate then fluctuated, ending at 3.0 in November. This volatility suggests that crime in West Bergholt can be influenced by specific short-term trends or events. Despite this high percentage increase, the overall numbers remain low, and the village continues to be a safe place to live, though the recent upward trend warrants continued community awareness and proactive security.

How To Keep Safe in West Bergholt

The most common crime type in West Bergholt is violence and sexual offences, which often involves localized incidents rather than random street crime. To maintain personal safety, we recommend staying aware of your surroundings, particularly when walking in less populated areas at night. West Bergholt is a close-knit community, and participating in local neighbourhood watch schemes can be an effective way to stay informed and look out for your neighbours. For business owners and residents, being vigilant about shoplifting—which is notable in the area—is important; ensure that retail spaces are well-monitored. For homeowners, always ensure that windows and doors are securely locked, especially as burglary shows a higher relative frequency during the night and afternoon hours. By looking out for one another and maintaining these simple precautions, you can help preserve West Bergholt's excellent reputation for safety.

Crime timing in West Bergholt follows a distinct daily pattern. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft is a primary concern, accounting for 43% and 44% of crimes respectively. This is largely driven by shoplifting incidents in the village's retail areas. As evening (6pm - 12am) approaches, burglary (30%) and 'other' crimes—including anti-social behaviour (40%)—become more prominent. The night-time hours (12am - 6am) see a significant shift towards burglary (37%) and vehicle crime (26%) in this period. These patterns suggest that while retail-related issues are most common during business hours, homes and vehicles are most vulnerable during the quietest hours of the night and the late afternoon.

When compared to its neighbours, West Bergholt's crime rate of 49.1 per 1,000 is slightly higher than Great Horkesley (37.6). Smaller nearby hamlets like Eight Ash Green, Tye Green, and Fordham recorded zero crimes. However, West Bergholt remains vastly safer than the main Colchester urban area (103.2). These comparisons show that West Bergholt sits comfortably within a cluster of safe, residential communities. While it has more retail activity—reflected in its shoplifting rates—than its smaller neighbours, it successfully maintains a peaceful, low-crime character that is highly valued by its residents.

In a safe village like West Bergholt, homeowners often look for security that matches the high quality of life in the area. While the property crime rate is low at 17.6 per 1,000, the recent 60.4% increase in overall crime suggests that maintaining a secure home is increasingly important. Traditional security measures, such as standard CCTV, are reactive—they record a crime after it has occurred. For West Bergholt residents who want to be more proactive, scOS offers an AI-powered solution that prevents crime before it happens. By monitoring all your cameras simultaneously, scOS identifies potential threats at the property boundary. Instead of just giving you footage of a theft, scOS can autonomously trigger lights and speakers to deter intruders in real-time. This proactive approach is designed to make your home a difficult target, ensuring that West Bergholt's burglary and vehicle crime rates remain among the lowest in the county.