Chipping Ongar Crime Rate

Chipping Ongar is an exceptionally safe historic town with an overall crime rate of 56.2 per 1,000 people—significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7. This is reflected in an excellent safety score of 86/100, well above the national benchmark of 79. Recent data shows a strong downward trend, with crime decreasing by 14.2% year-over-year. While violence and sexual offences are the most reported incidents, vehicle crime and shoplifting are also factors in the local statistics. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of these figures, including temporal patterns and practical safety advice, to help residents and business owners maintain their high standard of security and protect their property effectively in this secure community.

Crime in Chipping Ongar

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Chipping Ongar, accounting for 103 incidents (41.5% of total crime) at a rate of 23.3 per 1,000 residents. Vehicle crime is the second most frequent at 11.3%, followed by shoplifting at 10.1%. These figures indicate that while Chipping Ongar is statistically very safe, personal and opportunistic property crimes are the primary concerns.

Property crime in Chipping Ongar—including burglary, robbery, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—occurs at a rate of 21.7 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3. Vehicle crime (6.3 per 1,000) and shoplifting (5.7 per 1,000) are the main drivers of this category. Burglary is notably low, at just 1.1 per 1,000 residents. For homeowners, this data suggests that while the risk of break-ins is minimal, vehicle security and vigilance in commercial areas are important to maintain the town's high safety standards.

Chipping Ongar Crime Trends

The crime trend in Chipping Ongar is currently decreasing, with a significant year-over-year reduction of 14.2%. This is a very positive indicator for the town's safety. Analysis of the monthly data from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 shows a general downward trajectory. The highest crime rate was recorded at the start of the period in January 2025 (6.6), but this fell steadily throughout the year.

The lowest rate was reached in October 2025, with just 2.7 crimes per 1,000 people. This consistent performance suggests that Chipping Ongar is successfully maintaining its safety environment. For residents, this downward trend provides peace of mind, indicating that the town remains one of the more secure locations in the district. Continued community vigilance will be key to maintaining this positive trend into the future.

How To Keep Safe in Chipping Ongar

The highest crime type in Chipping Ongar is violence and sexual offences. While Chipping Ongar is a very safe town, maintaining awareness in public spaces remains important for all residents.

1. When walking in the town centre at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid unlit shortcuts through residential alleys.
2. Given that vehicle crime is the second most common offence, always double-check that your car is locked and avoid leaving any items on display, even low-value ones.
3. For local business owners, shoplifting is a notable factor; consider modern retail security measures and join local business crime reduction partnerships.
4. Be mindful of home security during the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), ensuring all doors and windows are locked when you are away from the property.
5. Report any suspicious activity or non-emergency incidents to the 101 number to help local police maintain the town's high safety standards.

Crime Timing in Chipping Ongar

Crime in Chipping Ongar follows distinct temporal patterns. During the morning (6am - 12pm), theft (39%) and vehicle crime (36%) are the most common offences. The afternoon (12pm - 6pm) sees a significant peak in theft-related crimes, including shoplifting, which accounts for 52% of the period's total. This is the busiest time for the town's retail and commercial activity.

In the evening (6pm - 12am), vehicle crime (39%) and 'other' offences (37%) are the primary concerns. However, the most striking pattern occurs during the night (12am - 6am), where vehicle crime surges to 69% of all reported incidents. This indicates that vehicles parked overnight are at the highest risk. Understanding these cycles allows residents and business owners to focus their security efforts, such as ensuring shops are secure in the afternoon and vehicles are particularly well-protected during the night-time hours.

In a local context, Chipping Ongar is a very safe urban settlement. Its crime rate of 56.2 per 1,000 people is lower than its immediate neighbour Shelley (61.6). While several surrounding rural areas such as Stondon Massey and Fyfield reported 0.0 in the latest data, Chipping Ongar remains one of the safest small towns in the Epping Forest district. Its significantly lower crime rate compared to the UK average (91.7) highlights its status as a secure residential area. The consistent decrease in crime further reinforces its reputation as a well-managed and safe community for those looking to live in the area.

With a property crime rate of 21.7 per 1,000 people, Chipping Ongar residents enjoy a high level of security. However, vehicle crime still accounts for over 11% of all offences, suggesting that proactive property protection remains important. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or doorbell cameras, are reactive; they provide footage after a crime has occurred. In a safe town like Chipping Ongar, the goal should be to prevent any opportunistic crime from happening in the first place.

scOS offers a proactive solution by using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries in real-time. It can distinguish between your family members and potential threats, triggering autonomous responses like light and speaker activation before an intruder reaches your door or vehicle. For Chipping Ongar homeowners, scOS’s ability to verify vehicles and identify suspicious activity at the property line is a significant advantage. This professional-grade deterrence makes your home a hard target, ensuring that any opportunistic thieves move on to easier properties. Preventative protection is the most effective way to safeguard your home and vehicles.