Rochford Crime Rate

About Rochford Crime Statistics

Rochford presents a notable safety profile with an overall crime rate of 48.2 per 1,000 people per year, placing it well below the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. The property crime rate stands at 14.7 per 1,000, also significantly lower than the national average of 33.2 per 1,000. This contributes to Rochford's impressive safety score of 88 out of 100, considerably higher than the UK average of 78. Furthermore, the area has experienced a positive trend, with a 9.3% decrease in overall crime year-over-year, indicating an improving safety landscape for its 89,815 residents.

Understanding Crime in Rochford

Rochford, a Local Authority District with a population of 89,815, encompasses a mix of urban, suburban, and rural characteristics, which collectively influence its crime statistics. The area includes market towns, villages, and coastal stretches, alongside residential communities. While it benefits from its proximity to larger towns like Southend-on-Sea, Rochford itself generally maintains a more tranquil environment, contributing to its lower overall crime rate and higher safety score compared to the national average.

Economic factors and population density play a role in shaping crime patterns. Rochford typically has a stable, largely residential population, which often correlates with lower rates of transient crime. While there are local commercial centres and some transport hubs, these do not typically attract the same volume of activity or associated crime as more densely populated urban centres. The absence of major industrial areas or extensive nightlife districts further reduces opportunities for certain types of offences, such as public order disturbances or drug-related crimes. The community-oriented nature of many of its towns and villages also fosters a sense of collective responsibility for safety, which can act as a deterrent and aid in crime prevention.

Crime Type Breakdown in Rochford

An analysis of crime types in Rochford reveals that Violence and sexual offences represent the most prevalent category, accounting for 46.1% of all reported crimes with 1,997 incidents (22.2 per 1,000 residents). Following this, Anti-social behaviour is the second most common at 9.0% (389 incidents, 4.3 per 1,000), and Criminal damage and arson ranks third with 8.1% (352 incidents, 3.9 per 1,000). These figures highlight areas where community and law enforcement efforts are primarily focused.

Looking at property-related crime, which encompasses burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, Rochford records 14.7 incidents per 1,000 people. This is considerably lower than the national average. Specifically, other theft accounts for 7.0% of total crimes, vehicle crime for 5.7%, and burglary for 3.9%. For residents and homeowners, these statistics suggest a relatively lower risk of property-related offences compared to many other parts of the UK, though vigilance remains important, particularly regarding vehicle and general theft.

Crime Trends in Rochford

Rochford has seen a positive shift in its crime landscape, with a notable year-over-year decrease of 9.3% in overall crime. This indicates an improving trend in the area's safety. Examining the monthly trend data reveals fluctuations, but with a general downward trajectory or stabilisation. For instance, the crime rate per 1,000 residents saw a minor increase from 3.9 in October 2024 to 4.2 in November 2024, before dropping to 3.9 in December and 3.6 in January 2025. While there was a slight peak in July 2025 at 4.5, the most recent data for September 2025 shows the rate at 3.9. This overall decreasing trend suggests that local initiatives and community efforts may be having a positive impact on crime prevention, offering reassurance to residents about the long-term safety of the area.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

When considering Rochford within its regional context, comparisons with nearby areas provide valuable insights into local safety. Rochford's overall crime rate of 48.2 per 1,000 is significantly lower than that of Southend-on-Sea, which typically experiences higher urban crime rates. Similarly, it generally fares better than Basildon, another larger urban centre. Compared to Castle Point, Rochford maintains a competitive safety profile. While Medway, a larger unitary authority, presents a different demographic and crime pattern, Rochford's figures remain favourable. Chelmsford, a city with a diverse environment, and Maldon, a more rural district, offer varying comparisons, but Rochford consistently demonstrates a lower crime rate and higher safety score than the UK average, positioning it as a relatively secure locality within the wider region.

Protecting Your Property in Rochford

Given Rochford's property crime rate of 14.7 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the national average, residents still benefit from proactive security measures. Traditional security approaches often focus on recording crime after it has happened, such as with standard CCTV systems. However, a more effective strategy is prevention, stopping crime before it can occur.

Consider upgrading to an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS, which offers proactive protection by detecting threats at your property boundary rather than after a break-in. Unlike reactive systems that merely provide footage of a burglary, scOS is designed to prevent it. Its multi-camera intelligence watches all cameras simultaneously, ensuring nothing is missed, and features like DVLA vehicle verification can instantly identify suspicious vehicles. By learning your routines, scOS only alerts on real threats, avoiding unnecessary notifications.

With most burglars making their decision within 60 seconds, visible deterrence is key. scOS offers an autonomous response, activating lights and engaging speakers to destroy the element of surprise and encourage intruders to move on. This professional-grade equipment signals serious protection, offering a significant advantage over basic DIY systems that only notify you after the fact. For genuine property protection in Rochford, a proactive system that intervenes in real-time is a powerful deterrent.