Purleigh Crime Rate

Purleigh is an exceptionally safe urban settlement with a crime rate of only 24.9 per 1,000 residents, which is far below the UK average of 93.1. The area boasts a high safety score of 93/100, significantly outperforming the national benchmark of 78/100. Furthermore, crime in Purleigh has decreased by 8.7% over the last year, indicating a positive trend for the community's 1,684 residents. While violence and sexual offences make up the majority of local reports, the absolute volume of crime across all categories is minimal. The property crime rate is particularly low at 7.7 per 1,000, making it one of the most secure locations in the Maldon local authority. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of these statistics and practical advice for maintaining this high level of safety.

Crime in Purleigh

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crimes in Purleigh, accounting for 52.4% of the total, with a rate of 13.1 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by 'other theft' (9.5%) and burglary (7.1%), which is tied with criminal damage and arson at 7.1%. These figures indicate that while crime is generally very low, personal disputes and opportunistic theft are the primary issues.

The overall property crime rate in Purleigh is 7.7 per 1,000 people, which is exceptionally low compared to the UK average of 32.9. This total includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft. Burglary specifically occurs at a rate of 1.8 per 1,000 people, and vehicle crime is even lower at 1.2 per 1,000. For residents, this means that the risk of property loss is statistically very small. However, criminal damage and 'other theft' still occur, suggesting that outbuildings and external property should still be secured. The high safety score and low property crime rate make Purleigh one of the most secure residential areas in the Maldon district.

Purleigh Crime Trends

Purleigh has seen a positive downward trend in crime over the past year, with a total decrease of 8.7%. Analysis of the monthly data from November 2024 to October 2025 shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents has remained consistently low, with a few minor fluctuations. The most significant peak occurred in October 2025, when the rate reached 4.8, followed by 3.0 in November, January, and June.

The lowest crime levels were recorded in December 2024, with a rate of only 0.6 per 1,000. These fluctuations are common in small populations where even a single incident can change the monthly percentage. Despite the slight peak in October, the overall trend is one of continued safety and declining criminal activity. Residents should feel reassured that Purleigh remains a very low-crime area, and the recent decrease suggests that local safety efforts are proving effective.

How To Keep Safe in Purleigh

The most common crime in Purleigh is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 52.4% of all reported incidents. While many of these are domestic in nature, personal safety in public remains important. We recommend staying aware of your surroundings when walking through the village, particularly during the evening and night when visibility is lower. Secondly, given that burglary and 'other theft' are the next most common crimes, ensure that all outbuildings, garages, and sheds are securely locked with high-quality padlocks. Thirdly, consider installing motion-activated lighting around your property to deter opportunistic thieves. Fourthly, keep a close eye on your vehicles and ensure no valuables are left inside, as vehicle crime is a small but present risk overnight. Finally, reporting any suspicious activity or anti-social behaviour to the local police helps them maintain the village's excellent safety record and ensures that Purleigh remains one of the safest places to live in Essex.

Purleigh Time Patterns

Crime in Purleigh follows a distinct temporal cycle, with theft being the primary concern during the day and property-related offences peaking at night. In the morning and afternoon, theft accounts for 53% and 57% of incidents respectively. This suggests that opportunistic crimes are most likely to occur when the village is active and retail or commercial movements are at their peak.

As the day transitions into evening and night, the nature of crime shifts. Between 12am and 6am, vehicle crime accounts for 38% of all recorded offences, while burglary represents 24%. This indicates that criminals are targeting residential properties and vehicles under the cover of darkness. Evening hours (6pm-12am) also see a notable percentage of burglary at 21%. For residents, this data highlights that while daytime vigilance against theft is important, robust home and vehicle security is most critical during the late-night and early-morning hours.

In the local context of the Maldon district, Purleigh stands out as a very safe residential choice. Its crime rate of 24.9 per 1,000 is significantly lower than that of Latchingdon, which records 62.6 crimes per 1,000 people. While it is more active than the rural areas of Cold Norton, Woodham Mortimer, and Gay Bowers—all of which reported no crimes—Purleigh remains one of the safest populated settlements in the region. The 8.7% decrease in crime over the last year further solidifies its position as a low-risk area. For those looking for a balance between village life and high safety standards, Purleigh is an excellent option compared to the wider regional and national averages.

Purleigh has a remarkably low property crime rate of 7.7 per 1,000, but even in such a safe area, the risk of burglary and vehicle crime exists. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are reactive; they record footage after a crime has been initiated, which often doesn't stop the incident from occurring. In a quiet area like Purleigh, preventing any initial interest from a criminal is the most effective strategy.

The scOS operating system provides proactive protection by using AI to monitor your property's perimeter in real-time. It doesn't just record activity; it identifies potential threats before they reach your door. If a suspicious individual is detected, scOS can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting or audio warnings, removing the element of surprise. For Purleigh homeowners, this means moving from simply having footage of an event to preventing the event entirely. In a village where safety is already a priority, scOS offers the professional-grade security needed to keep burglary and vehicle crime rates at their current low levels.