Epping Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2023, Epping recorded 77 crimes across a population of nearly 10,000 residents, translating to a crime rate of 7.8 per 1,000 people—8.3% above the UK average of 7.2. This figure, while modest compared to major urban centres, highlights distinct patterns shaped by local rhythms and seasonal factors. The most prevalent category was violence and sexual offences (25 cases, 32.5% of total), followed by property crimes (40 cases, 51.9% of total). The rate for violence and sexual offences in Epping (2.5 per 1,000) was 5% below the UK average, suggesting a comparatively lower incidence of violent crime despite the area’s built-up character. However, property crimes showed stark deviations: burglary alone (11 cases, 1.1 per 1,000) was 214% above the UK average, a figure that could be influenced by the holiday season’s impact on empty homes and increased retail activity. Vehicle crime (9 cases, 0.9 per 1,000) also exceeded the UK average by 100%, potentially reflecting heightened traffic during festive shopping periods. The seasonal context of December—Christmas shopping, party season, and prolonged darkness—likely contributes to these trends, as lower visibility and increased foot traffic may create opportunities for opportunistic crimes. Meanwhile, the relatively low rate of anti-social behaviour (3 cases, 0.3 per 1,000) compared to the UK average (0.9 per 1,000) suggests that local community initiatives or policing efforts may have mitigated some forms of disorder.

December 2023 saw significant month-on-month shifts in crime patterns, with burglary increasing by 450% (from 2 to 11 cases) and shoplifting rising by 400% (from 1 to 5 cases). These spikes, particularly in burglary, align with the seasonal context of the holiday period, where empty homes and increased retail activity may have created vulnerabilities. Theft from the person also surged by 200% (from 1 to 3 cases), a jump that could be tied to increased pedestrian traffic in commercial areas during the festive season. Conversely, anti-social behaviour dropped by 76.9% (from 13 to 3 cases), a decline that may reflect the area’s lower population density compared to larger urban centres or the effectiveness of local interventions. Other notable shifts include a 37.5% decrease in other theft (from 8 to 5 cases) and a 25% reduction in drug-related crimes (from 4 to 3 cases). These decreases, though modest, contrast with the sharp rises in property-related offences. The most striking comparison to the UK average is burglary, which in Epping was 214% above the national rate of 0.3 per 1,000. This discrepancy may be partly explained by the area’s proximity to Epping Forest, where rural-to-urban transitions could influence crime dynamics. Meanwhile, vehicle crime (100% above UK average) and theft from the person (67% above UK average) suggest that local infrastructure, such as parking zones or retail corridors, may be contributing to these trends.

The crime rate in Epping rose by 14.9% from November 2023 (6.8 per 1,000) to December’s 7.8 per 1,000, reflecting a clear upward trend. On a daily basis, this equates to roughly 2 crimes per day in December, a figure that, while low in absolute terms, underscores the impact of seasonal factors. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 128 residents, a monthly aggregate that provides context for individual risk. When scaled to Epping’s population of 9,866, the 77 crimes recorded represent a specific challenge for a built-up area within a largely rural district. This rate is higher than the UK average, with burglary and vehicle crime contributing significantly to the disparity. However, Epping’s crime profile also includes areas of strength: violence and sexual offences were 5% below the UK average, and anti-social behaviour was 68% below, suggesting that local policing or community dynamics may be effective in certain categories. The contrast between these outcomes and the sharp increases in property-related crimes highlights the complexity of crime trends in mixed-use areas. For residents, the 77 crimes recorded in December—spread over 31 days—translate to a tangible but manageable level of risk, particularly when compared to the national average. This context is essential for understanding both the local and broader implications of the data.