Loughton Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Loughton

Loughton experiences an overall crime rate of 88.2 per 1,000 residents annually, which is below the national average of 93.4 per 1,000. This results in a safety score of 80 out of 100, indicating that Loughton is a relatively safer area compared to the UK average of 78. In the past year, the crime rate in Loughton has remained stable, showing a slight decrease of 3.4%. This overview provides essential insights into Loughton's crime figures, offering context for residents and those interested in the area's safety profile.

Crime Breakdown in Loughton

In Loughton, Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime type, accounting for 30.9% of all reported crimes with a rate of 27.2 per 1,000 residents. Shoplifting is the second most common, representing a significant 19.9% of crimes at 17.6 per 1,000, reflecting the presence of retail areas. Vehicle crime ranks third, making up 9.4% of the total with a rate of 8.3 per 1,000.

Property-related crime, which includes burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, stands at 42.2 per 1,000 residents in Loughton. This figure is higher than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. This suggests that residents and homeowners in Loughton should be particularly vigilant regarding the security of their vehicles and properties, as these categories contribute significantly to the local crime landscape.

Crime Trends in Loughton

Loughton has experienced a stable crime trend over the last year, with a slight decrease of 3.4% in reported crimes. This indicates a consistent level of safety within the area. Reviewing the monthly crime rates per 1,000 residents shows some fluctuations. The rate was 7.8 in October 2024, decreasing to 6.5 in January 2025, before rising to a peak of 8.8 in June 2025. Following this, the rate saw a dip to 6.0 in September 2025. These monthly shifts suggest potential seasonal variations in crime activity, with summer months possibly experiencing higher rates. Despite these month-to-month changes, the overall year-on-year stability points to a relatively consistent crime environment in Loughton.

Crime Time Patterns in Loughton

An analysis of crime patterns throughout the day in Loughton reveals distinct shifts in activity. The morning hours (6am-12pm) are characterised by a higher incidence of theft (37%) and vehicle crime (30%), likely due to increased commuter activity and commercial operations. As the day progresses into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft remains dominant at 43%, often linked to peak shopping hours, with burglary also rising to 21%.

In the evening (6pm-12am), there's a notable increase in 'Other' crime types (37%) and vehicle crime (29%), while theft reduces to 17%. This period often correlates with social activities and less supervised properties. Night-time (12am-6am) sees a significant surge in vehicle crime, which accounts for 58% of offences, alongside a stable rate of burglary at 16%. This suggests that overnight hours are when vehicles are most vulnerable, and properties may be targeted when occupants are asleep or away.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

When comparing Loughton to its surrounding areas, including Theydon Bois, Abridge, High Beech, and Buckhurst Hill, a clearer picture of regional safety emerges. Loughton's overall crime rate of 88.2 per 1,000 is higher than some of its more rural or smaller neighbours like Theydon Bois (40.7 per 1,000) and Buckhurst Hill (59.7 per 1,000). This difference can be attributed to Loughton's larger population and more developed commercial and transport infrastructure. However, Loughton still maintains a respectable safety score of 80/100, which is above the UK average. This comparison provides valuable context for residents and prospective movers, highlighting how Loughton fits into the broader safety landscape of the Epping Forest district.

Protecting Your Property in Loughton

With Loughton's property crime rate of 42.2 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the UK average, robust home security is a significant consideration. Many traditional security cameras provide footage after a break-in, offering a reactive record of the event rather than preventing it. For genuine peace of mind, consider moving beyond reactive monitoring to proactive crime prevention.

An AI-powered home security operating system like scOS is designed to prevent crime before it happens. It detects threats at your property boundary, not just at the point of entry, by watching all cameras simultaneously with multi-camera intelligence. Features like DVLA vehicle verification can instantly flag suspicious vehicles, and pattern learning distinguishes between family, deliveries, and genuine threats, reducing false alarms. The visible deterrence of professional-grade equipment, coupled with autonomous responses like activating lights and speakers, can destroy an intruder's element of surprise and make them move on within seconds. Investing in such a proactive system can significantly enhance the protection of your Loughton home against property-related offences.