Epping Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Epping’s crime rate in January 2026 stood at 5.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it 19.1% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This figure highlights the area’s generally lower crime profile compared to national trends, though specific crime types reveal nuanced patterns. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 31.5% of all reported crimes, making them the most prevalent category, followed by vehicle crime (11.1%) and other theft (9.3%). These rates align with Epping’s character as a built-up area within Epping Forest, where the mix of residential and semi-rural environments may contribute to both the prevalence of certain crimes and the relative safety of others. The seasonal context of January—post-holiday, shorter days, and reduced retail activity—likely influenced the overall crime picture, with fewer opportunities for theft or public order incidents. However, the data also shows stark contrasts between local and UK averages: while vehicle crime is 62% higher than the national rate, anti-social behaviour is 68% lower. This divergence may reflect local policing strategies, community engagement, or the area’s geographic and demographic makeup. For instance, the lower rate of anti-social behaviour could be linked to Epping’s more dispersed residential layout, which may limit opportunities for such incidents compared to denser urban areas. Conversely, the higher vehicle crime rate might be tied to the presence of commuter parking facilities or transport hubs that attract transient populations. These findings illustrate the importance of contextualising crime data within the specific characteristics of the area, rather than relying solely on national comparisons.

The most striking month-on-month shift was the 300% increase in both 'Other crime' and 'Drugs' categories, with each rising from one incident to four. This surge contrasts sharply with the 85.7% drop in burglary, which fell from seven to one, likely reflecting seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity and tighter home security during colder months. Violence and sexual offences also declined by 54.1%, from 37 to 17, a change that may be attributed to the post-holiday period and reduced foot traffic in public spaces. Epping’s vehicle crime rate (0.6 per 1,000) is 62% above the UK average (0.4 per 1,000), suggesting that local infrastructure—such as car parks or transport hubs—may be contributing to this disparity. Conversely, anti-social behaviour and public order offences were 68% and 29% below UK averages, respectively, indicating effective community policing or fewer incidents in shared spaces.

Epping’s crime rate in January 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents) represents a 27.1% decline from the previous month’s rate of 7.5 per 1,000. This downward trend aligns with seasonal patterns typical of January, which sees reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours curbing opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly two reported crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while low, reflects the area’s generally stable security profile. When scaled to the population of 9,866, the monthly exposure rate translates to one reported crime for every 183 residents. This metric underscores that, despite the absolute number of incidents, the likelihood of any individual encountering crime remains relatively low compared to larger urban centres. The drop in violent crime, in particular, may be linked to the post-holiday lull and reduced social gatherings.