Burnham-on-Crouch Crime Rate

Burnham-on-Crouch is a secure and tranquil coastal town in the Maldon local authority, boasting a high safety score of 89/100. The area's overall crime rate stands at 44.9 per 1,000 residents, which is remarkably low when compared to the UK national average of 93.1. This safety is further underscored by a decreasing trend in criminal activity, with a notable 8.0% reduction in total crimes year-over-year. For those living in or considering a move to the area, Burnham-on-Crouch offers a peaceful environment where property crime is significantly below the national norm. While certain seasonal fluctuations occur, the town remains one of the safer urban settlements in the region, providing a high quality of life and peace of mind for its population of over 10,000.

Crime Breakdown in Burnham-on-Crouch

Burnham-on-Crouch exhibits a crime profile where personal and public order offences are more frequent than property crimes. The most significant category is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 44.6% of all reports with 211 incidents. This is followed by public order offences at 10.4% and shoplifting at 9.1%. These figures suggest that most police activity in the area is focused on interpersonal issues and retail-related crime rather than residential intrusion.

Property crime in Burnham-on-Crouch is relatively low, with a rate of 14.1 per 1,000 people. This is less than half the UK average of 32.9. Within this category, vehicle crime is the most prevalent at 6.3%, followed by other theft at 5.9% and burglary at 2.3%. For homeowners, the low burglary rate (only 11 incidents in a year) is a positive indicator of residential safety. However, the high percentage of vehicle crime during night-time hours (52%) suggests that car security is a specific area where residents should remain vigilant. Overall, while the town is very safe, the concentration of theft in commercial areas and vehicle crime at night defines the local property risk.

Burnham-on-Crouch Crime Trends

The crime trend in Burnham-on-Crouch is currently on a positive trajectory, with a significant 8.0% decrease in total offences year-over-year. This reduction is an encouraging sign for the community and reflects the town's overall high safety score of 89/100. Analysis of the monthly data reveals that for much of the year, the crime rate remained very low, typically between 2.4 and 3.1 per 1,000 residents.

However, a notable seasonal spike occurred during the summer months of 2025. In June and July, the rate jumped to 5.6 per 1,000, nearly double the winter average. This likely reflects the increase in visitors and outdoor activity during the warmer months. By October 2025, the rate had begun to cool again, dropping to 3.9. This cyclical pattern is common in coastal towns, and despite the summer increase, the overall annual trend remains firmly downward, suggesting that Burnham-on-Crouch is successfully maintaining and even improving its safety profile.

How To Keep Safe in Burnham-on-Crouch

The primary crime concern in Burnham-on-Crouch is violence and sexual offences, which often includes verbal disputes and domestic incidents. While the town is generally very safe, taking proactive steps can further enhance your personal security.

1. When enjoying the town's nightlife or walking near the quay at night, stay in well-lit areas and travel with friends where possible.
2. Given the high percentage of vehicle crime at night (52%), always double-check that your car is locked and that no valuables—including loose change or charging cables—are visible through the windows.
3. Be aware of your surroundings in retail areas during the afternoon, as this is when shoplifting and other theft-related offences are most likely to occur.
4. Report any suspicious behaviour or public order disturbances to the local police. Early reporting helps authorities allocate resources to prevent minor issues from escalating.
5. Consider joining a local neighbourhood watch scheme. In a close-knit community like Burnham, resident cooperation is one of the most effective tools for maintaining the town's high safety standards.

Crime Time Patterns in Burnham-on-Crouch

Criminal activity in Burnham-on-Crouch follows a very specific temporal rhythm. During the daylight hours, specifically between 6am and 6pm, theft and shoplifting are the dominant concerns. In the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft-related offences account for 48% of all recorded crime, coinciding with peak retail activity in the town centre.

As night falls, the nature of crime shifts dramatically. Between 12am and 6am, vehicle crime surges to account for 52% of all incidents. This is a critical insight for residents, as it indicates that cars are most vulnerable during the early hours of the morning. Burglary also remains a steady but low-level threat throughout the day and night, with a slight peak in the afternoon (14%). These patterns suggest that while personal safety is a daytime and evening priority, property and vehicle security are paramount during the night. Understanding these shifts allows residents to better target their own security efforts.

In the local context, Burnham-on-Crouch is a very safe hub. It compares closely with Southminster, which has a nearly identical crime rate of 45.2 per 1,000 people. The surrounding rural areas, including Stoneyhills, Creeksea, and Althorne, report zero crimes, which is common for very small, isolated settlements with low transit. For a town that serves as a local centre for commerce and tourism, Burnham-on-Crouch’s ability to maintain a crime rate that is less than half the UK average is impressive. It offers a secure middle ground for those who want town amenities without the elevated crime levels often found in larger Essex urban centres.

Proactive Home Security in Burnham-on-Crouch

Burnham-on-Crouch has a low property crime rate of 14.1 per 1,000, but the data reveals a specific vulnerability: vehicle crime at night. With 52% of night-time offences involving vehicles, standard security like a simple doorbell camera may not be enough. These reactive systems often only provide footage of a crime that has already happened, leaving you to deal with the aftermath.

A proactive approach is far more effective. scOS uses advanced AI to monitor your property's perimeter, including driveways where vehicles are most at risk. By identifying a threat the moment someone steps onto your property, scOS can intervene autonomously—activating lights or speakers to scare off potential thieves before they even touch your car or front door. In an area like Burnham-on-Crouch, where crime is infrequent, professional-grade security acts as a powerful deterrent. It ensures that your home is not the "easy target" opportunists are looking for, moving the focus from recording a crime to preventing it entirely.