Epping Crime Rate

Epping is a busy market town with an overall crime rate of 99.7 per 1,000 people, which is higher than the UK average of 91.7. The area has a safety score of 76/100, slightly below the national benchmark of 79. Recent data indicates an increasing trend in crime, with a 19.7% rise year-over-year. While violence and sexual offences are the most reported incidents, shoplifting and vehicle crime are also significant 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 understand the local security landscape and protect their property effectively in this active urban settlement.

Crime in Epping

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Epping, with 352 incidents (35.8% of total crime) at a rate of 35.7 per 1,000 residents. Shoplifting is the second most frequent at 10.7%, followed closely by vehicle crime at 10.5%. These figures reflect Epping's status as a busy market town with significant retail activity and transport links.

Property crime in Epping—which includes burglary, robbery, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—occurs at a rate of 40.9 per 1,000 people. This is notably higher than the UK average of 32.3. Shoplifting (10.6 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (10.4 per 1,000) are the primary drivers of this rate. Burglary occurs at a rate of 3.2 per 1,000. For residents and business owners, this data indicates that property security is a major priority. The high rate of shoplifting highlights challenges for the local commercial sector, while the vehicle crime rate suggests that car owners need to be particularly vigilant, especially in public parking areas and residential streets.

Epping Crime Trends

The crime trend in Epping is currently increasing, with a significant year-over-year rise of 19.7%. This upward trajectory is a key area of concern for the local community. Analysis of the monthly data from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 reveals a dramatic surge during the summer months. The crime rate jumped from 6.0 in May 2025 to 8.2 in June, before peaking at 14.1 in July and 13.1 in August.

These high summer rates likely reflect increased seasonal activity and footfall in the town. Since that peak, the rate has fluctuated, ending the period at 8.5 in November 2025. For residents and business owners, this increasing trend highlights the need for heightened vigilance and more robust security measures. While Epping remains a functional and busy town, the recent rise in criminal activity suggests that proactive steps are necessary to maintain personal and property safety.

How To Keep Safe in Epping

The highest crime type in Epping is violence and sexual offences. As a busy town with a popular high street and Tube station, maintaining awareness in public spaces is essential for residents and visitors.

1. When using Epping Tube station at night, stay in well-lit areas and try to sit in carriages with other passengers.
2. Given the high rate of shoplifting, business owners should consider modern retail security measures and join local business crime reduction partnerships.
3. For residents, vehicle crime is a significant concern; always ensure your car is locked and avoid leaving any items, even low-value ones, on display.
4. Be particularly vigilant about home security during the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), ensuring all doors and windows are locked when you are away.
5. Report any suspicious activity or non-emergency incidents to the 101 number to help local police allocate resources more effectively across the town.

Crime Timing in Epping

Crime in Epping follows distinct patterns related to its role as a retail and transport hub. During the morning (6am - 12pm), theft (32%) and vehicle crime (29%) are the most common offences. The afternoon (12pm - 6pm) sees a significant peak in theft-related crimes, including shoplifting, which accounts for 40% of the period's total. This is the busiest time for the high street and local businesses.

As evening falls (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes become more prevalent (50%), reflecting a shift in activity. However, the most notable pattern occurs during the night (12am - 6am), where vehicle crime surges to 57% 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 high street businesses are secure during the afternoon and vehicles are particularly well-protected during the night-time hours.

In a local context, Epping's crime rate of 99.7 per 1,000 is notably higher than its immediate neighbours, such as Coopersale (42.1) and Theydon Bois (42.1). Both Thornwood Common and Epping Upland reported 0.0 in the latest data. As the primary commercial and transport hub for the immediate area, Epping naturally attracts more activity, which is reflected in its higher crime statistics. However, with a rate exceeding the UK national average, Epping presents more security challenges than its quieter residential neighbours. For those considering the area, Epping offers excellent amenities but requires a more proactive approach to personal and property safety compared to the surrounding villages.

Epping's property crime rate of 40.9 per 1,000 people—significantly higher than the UK average—makes robust security a necessity for both residents and business owners. Traditional security systems, like standard CCTV, are often reactive; they provide footage of a crime after it has occurred. In a high-activity area like Epping, the priority should be preventing the crime before it happens.

scOS is an AI-powered home security operating system designed for proactive protection. It monitors your property boundaries in real-time, using multi-camera intelligence to detect threats before they reach your door. For Epping residents, scOS’s ability to verify vehicles and distinguish between regular routines and potential threats is invaluable. Its autonomous response system—activating lights or speakers—can deter intruders instantly, often causing them to move on before any damage is done. This professional-grade approach ensures your property is actively defended, providing a level of security that traditional recording-only systems simply cannot match.