Ashingdon Crime Rate

Ashingdon is one of the safest residential areas in the region, with an overall crime rate of only 27.1 per 1,000 people. This is remarkably lower than the UK average of 93.1, earning the area an impressive safety score of 94/100. This score places Ashingdon well above the national safety benchmark of 78. Furthermore, the area is seeing a positive trend, with crime decreasing by 13.5% over the past year. As a quiet urban settlement within the Rochford local authority, Ashingdon offers a secure environment for its 6,382 residents. The low property crime rate of 11.0 per 1,000 further highlights the area's security. This report provides a detailed breakdown of local crime statistics, helping residents understand when and where offences occur to better protect their homes and families.

Crime Breakdown in Ashingdon

In Ashingdon, the crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 36.4% of all reported incidents (63 crimes). This is followed by criminal damage and arson at 13.9% (24 crimes) and other theft at 10.4% (18 crimes). These top three categories represent the primary safety concerns for the local community. While violence and sexual offences are the most frequent, the high percentage of criminal damage and arson suggests a specific local challenge regarding property vandalism.

Property crime in Ashingdon, which includes burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and robbery, occurs at a rate of 11.0 per 1,000 residents. This is exceptionally low compared to the UK average property crime rate of 32.9. Within this category, vehicle crime is a notable factor, making up 8.7% of total crime, while burglary accounts for 6.4%. Despite the low overall volume, the presence of these crimes indicates that opportunistic theft remains a reality for homeowners.

For residents, the data highlights that while Ashingdon is one of the safest areas in the local authority, it is not immune to property-related issues. The combination of criminal damage and vehicle crime suggests that exterior property security is particularly important. Homeowners should focus on protecting their boundaries and vehicles, as these are the most likely points of contact with local criminal activity. The low overall rate is encouraging, but maintaining this requires continued community awareness and individual property protection.

Crime Trends in Ashingdon

Ashingdon is currently experiencing a significant downward trend in crime, with total reported incidents falling by 13.5% over the last 12 months. This reduction is a strong indicator of the area's increasing safety. Monthly data shows that crime rates remained consistently low throughout the year, with several months, such as December 2024 and January 2025, recording a minimal rate of 1.6 per 1,000 residents.

While there were slight peaks in activity during February, July, and October 2025—all reaching a rate of 3.1—these remain exceptionally low by national standards. The general trend throughout the year has been one of stability and decline. For residents, this means that the local community and law enforcement are successfully managing crime levels. The 13.5% year-over-year decrease suggests that Ashingdon is not only a safe place to live but is actively becoming more secure, providing a very positive outlook for current and prospective homeowners in the area.

How To Keep Safe in Ashingdon

The most common crime in Ashingdon is violence and sexual offences. While the overall volume of these crimes is low, it is important to remain mindful of personal safety and community well-being.

To maintain your safety in Ashingdon, consider these localized tips:

1. Enhance Evening Visibility: While Ashingdon is safe, ensuring your property's exterior is well-lit can deter anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, which are the second most common issues. Motion-sensor lights are a cost-effective and efficient deterrent.
2. Secure Vehicles Overnight: As vehicle crime is most prevalent between midnight and 6am, always park in a garage or behind locked gates if possible. If parking on a driveway, ensure no valuables are left inside and consider a steering wheel lock for added visual deterrence.
3. Be Vigilant in the Afternoon: Burglary in Ashingdon peaks during the afternoon (12pm - 6pm). Ensure all windows and doors are locked even if you are just stepping out for a short time, and use smart plugs to create the illusion of occupancy.
4. Participate in Neighbourhood Watch: Engaging with your neighbours can help spot unusual activity early. In a low-crime area like Ashingdon, community vigilance is one of the strongest tools against opportunistic crime.

Ashingdon's crime timing reveals specific periods of heightened activity for certain offences. The afternoon period (12pm - 6pm) is a critical time for property-related crime, with 20% of the area's burglaries and 44% of theft offences occurring during these hours. This suggests that opportunistic thieves may be targeting properties that appear unoccupied while residents are at work or school.

During the night (12am - 6am), the focus shifts significantly toward vehicle crime, which makes up 44% of all reported incidents in this window. The lack of natural surveillance during the early hours makes parked cars a primary target. Interestingly, evening hours (6pm - 12am) see the highest concentration of 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order issues, which account for 48% of reports in that period. Morning hours (6am - 12pm) are generally the quietest, though theft still accounts for 38% of the limited activity seen. By understanding these cycles, Ashingdon residents can better time their security measures, such as ensuring vehicles are secured before midnight and home occupancy is simulated during the afternoon.

Ashingdon compares very favourably to its surrounding areas, making it a premier choice for those prioritising safety. Its crime rate of 27.1 per 1,000 is lower than nearby Hockley and Hawkwell (31.3) and Canewdon (28.2). It is dramatically safer than the administrative centre of Rochford, which has a much higher rate of 83.0. While North Fambridge reports a zero crime rate, it is a much smaller, less populated area. For a built-up area of over 6,000 people, Ashingdon’s ability to maintain a crime rate nearly 70% lower than the national average is exceptional. This regional context reinforces Ashingdon's status as a low-risk pocket within the Essex countryside, offering a level of security that is hard to match in neighbouring settlements.

With a property crime rate of 11.0 per 1,000 residents, Ashingdon is statistically very safe, but the prevalence of criminal damage and vehicle crime suggests that proactive measures are still beneficial. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest often provide a false sense of security; while they record footage, they often do so only after a crime has begun. In Ashingdon, where 20% of burglaries happen in the afternoon and vehicle crime peaks at night, you need a system that acts before the damage is done.

scOS (Security Operating System) provides this proactive edge. By using AI to monitor your property's boundaries in real-time, it can identify a threat—such as someone loitering near your car or testing a gate—and intervene autonomously. Whether by engaging speakers or activating deterrent lighting, scOS aims to prevent the crime entirely. For Ashingdon homeowners, this means moving from reactive evidence gathering to active prevention, ensuring that the area's low crime rate is reflected in your own home's safety. Professional-grade AI protection signals to potential intruders that your property is a high-risk target for them, encouraging them to move on.