Burnham-on-Crouch Crime Rate April 2025 | Monthly Statistics

April 2025 saw Burnham-on-Crouch record 29 crimes, translating to a crime rate of 2.8 per 1,000 residents — 63.6% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. The most striking anomaly was the sharp rise in 'Other theft', which surged by 200% compared to March, reflecting a sudden shift in criminal activity. This spike occurred amid Easter-related foot traffic and springtime outdoor activity, which may have created temporary opportunities for opportunistic crime. Violence and sexual offences remained the dominant category, accounting for 55.2% of all crimes, yet still fell 43% below the UK average for this category. Shoplifting and other thefts, though lower than national levels, showed a marked increase in their share of total crimes, suggesting a seasonal realignment in criminal focus. The area’s low overall rate contrasts with broader UK trends, likely influenced by its rural-urban hybrid character — a built-up area within a largely rural district where community cohesion and lower population density may contribute to reduced crime. April’s mild weather and extended daylight hours, consistent with spring patterns, may have also played a role in shaping crime dynamics.

The most abrupt change was a 200% rise in 'Other theft' cases, jumping from one to three incidents in April. This category, which includes unclassified thefts and minor property crimes, saw a dramatic increase that outpaced other categories. Simultaneously, 'Criminal damage and arson' fell by 80%, plummeting from five to one incident — a decline that may reflect seasonal factors, such as reduced outdoor activity during Easter or increased community vigilance. The area’s violent crime rate, while still 43% below the UK average, showed no significant month-on-month change, highlighting the stability of this category despite broader fluctuations. 'Other crime' and 'Drugs' both doubled from zero to one incident, marking their first recorded presence in the data set. This could indicate emerging patterns or reporting inconsistencies, though the small numbers mean conclusions must be approached cautiously. The dominance of violent crime — 16 incidents, or 55.2% of the total — underscores the area’s unique profile, as violence and sexual offences are typically less prevalent in rural regions. This may be attributable to Burnham-on-Crouch’s proximity to Maldon, a nearby town with higher population density and potential for more social interactions.

Burnham-on-Crouch’s crime rate rose 11.3% from 2.5 per 1,000 in March to 2.8 per 1,000 in April, though it remains well below the UK average. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 363 residents — a figure that, while low, reflects the area’s small population of 10,532. Daily crime statistics show an average of one incident per day, a rate that is likely to fluctuate with local events such as Easter weekends or seasonal changes. The monthly exposure metric — 1-in-363 residents affected — places the area in a category of low-risk communities, though this must be contextualised against Burnham-on-Crouch’s unique characteristics. As a built-up area within a rural district, it balances the lower crime rates of rural regions with the potential for more concentrated social activity. The previous month’s rate was 2.5 per 1,000, and while the 11.3% increase may appear significant, the overall numbers remain modest. This suggests that local factors, such as temporary spikes in specific crime types, are more influential than long-term trends. The population-scaled perspective reinforces the area’s safety profile, though residents should remain mindful of the small sample size when interpreting individual crime categories.