Buckhurst Hill Crime Rate

Crime statistics for Buckhurst Hill, covering the period from January 2025 to December 2025, reveal a crime rate of 55.9 per 1,000 residents. This figure is lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, indicating a comparatively safer environment. However, the area's safety score of 86/100 highlights that while crime rates are relatively low, there’s still room for improvement. Encouragingly, there has been a significant decrease in crime, with a year-on-year reduction of 12.8%, suggesting positive trends in overall safety. Understanding these trends and the specific types of crimes occurring is essential for residents and local authorities.

Buckhurst Hill presents a concerning crime profile, with Violence and Sexual Offences being the most prevalent, accounting for 36.5% of recorded incidents. These are followed by Vehicle Crime, representing 16.5% of incidents, and Burglary, which accounts for 8.9%. Overall property crime, encompassing burglary, theft, and criminal damage, is a significant issue, affecting 24.3 residents per 1,000 annually. Shoplifting, while less frequent, contributes to the overall crime picture, reflecting challenges within the local retail environment. The presence of reported drug offences and instances of public order concerns further highlights the complexities of maintaining safety within the neighbourhood. Understanding these specific crime types is crucial for targeted preventative measures and community engagement.

The decrease in crime by 12.8% year-on-year is a positive development for Buckhurst Hill. Monthly data reveals a consistent downward trend from January 2025, with crime rates fluctuating between 6.4 per 1,000 in January and 4.7 per 1,000 in December. The lowest monthly rate occurred in March (4.4 per 1,000), indicating a period of relative stability. While rates have shown some variation throughout the year, the overall trend demonstrates a steady decline, suggesting the effectiveness of ongoing crime prevention strategies and community initiatives. Further analysis is needed to determine the specific factors contributing to this improvement.

How To Keep Safe in Buckhurst Hill

Given the prevalence of Vehicle Crime in Buckhurst Hill, ensure your vehicle is parked in well-lit areas and consider using a steering wheel lock. Due to the high incidence of Violence and Sexual Offences, be aware of your surroundings when out alone, particularly during the evening. Burglary remains a concern; ensure all doors and windows are securely locked, even when at home. Consider joining or supporting local neighbourhood watch schemes to foster a sense of community and shared responsibility. Finally, report any suspicious activity to the police promptly.

Crime in Buckhurst Hill exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day. During the morning (6am-12pm), burglary risks are relatively low, but theft and vehicle crime show a notable presence, particularly linked to commercial activity. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees a similar pattern, with theft and vehicle crime remaining prevalent. Evenings (6pm-12am) witness a slight increase in burglary and a significant spike in vehicle crime, potentially related to increased traffic and opportunistic incidents. Finally, the night (12am-6am) presents the highest risk of vehicle crime, suggesting a period of heightened vulnerability.

Buckhurst Hill’s crime rate of 55.9 per 1,000 residents places it between similar areas. Chigwell, with a rate of 67.2 per 1,000, demonstrates a slightly higher incidence of crime, while Loughton, at 85.9 per 1,000, presents a more significant challenge. Notably, High Beech boasts a remarkably low rate of 0.0 per 1,000, indicating a particularly safe environment, and Chigwell Row mirrors Buckhurst Hill’s rate closely at 56.0 per 1,000. These comparisons provide context for understanding Buckhurst Hill's relative safety within the surrounding region.

Traditional CCTV systems offer a reactive approach – recording footage after a crime has occurred. In Buckhurst Hill, where vehicle crime and burglary are notable concerns, this reactive model leaves properties vulnerable. Consider a more proactive approach with scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system. scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to watch all cameras simultaneously, detecting threats at the property boundary before they escalate. Its DVLA vehicle verification instantly flags suspicious vehicles, and pattern learning recognizes your family and deliveries, ensuring only genuine threats trigger alerts. The visible presence of scOS equipment serves as a powerful deterrent, often causing potential intruders to move on within those critical first 60 seconds – the timeframe most burglars decide whether to proceed. For truly robust protection in Buckhurst Hill, scOS offers a significant upgrade over conventional systems.