Rural Rochford Crime Rate

Rural Rochford is a residential area in Essex that enjoys a high level of safety and community stability. The area currently holds a safety score of 89/100, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 78/100. Rural Rochford's overall crime rate is 45.7 per 1,000 people, well below the national average of 93.1. However, recent data shows that crime in Rural Rochford has increased by 16.9% year-over-year. While this rise is from a very low base, it is an important trend for residents to monitor. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of local crime types, temporal patterns, and advice for maintaining property security in the area.

Crime Breakdown in Rural Rochford

Rural Rochford's crime profile is primarily led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 43.3% of all reported incidents, with a rate of 19.8 per 1,000 residents. Other theft follows at 11.8%, while criminal damage and arson make up 10.7%. These figures suggest that personal safety and the protection of property from theft and vandalism are the main areas of concern for the local community.

Property crime in Rural Rochford, including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage, occurs at a rate of 15.7 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9, underscoring the area's status as a secure residential community. Within this category, vehicle crime and burglary both account for 5.6% of total crime. For homeowners, these statistics are very positive, indicating a low risk of serious property-related offences. However, the prevalence of other theft and criminal damage suggests that maintaining visible security and well-lit driveways can help deter opportunistic theft and vandalism across the area's residential and rural neighbourhoods.

Crime Trends in Rural Rochford

The crime trend in Rural Rochford is currently showing a significant upward shift, with a notable year-over-year increase of 16.9%. While the overall crime rate remains low, this percentage rise is a point of concern for the local community. Analysis of the monthly data reveals that the crime rate typically fluctuates between 2.4 and 5.9 crimes per 1,000 people.

The highest crime rate of the year was recorded in September 2025 at 5.9, followed by April 2025 at 5.2 and August 2025 at 4.6. These peaks suggest that crime may be slightly more frequent during the warmer months and early autumn. Conversely, the lowest rate was recorded in May 2025 at 2.4, with another low point in March 2025 at 2.5. For residents, this increasing trend highlights the need for continued investment in community safety and personal property protection. The consistent figures allow for better long-term safety planning and suggest that Rural Rochford remains a secure environment, albeit with a rising trend in offences.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Rochford

The most common crime type in Rural Rochford is violence and sexual offences, which are often concentrated in public areas or linked to specific social incidents. To stay safe, consider the following practical advice:

1. When walking through the area at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through unlit alleys or parks.
2. Be mindful of your personal belongings in retail areas, particularly during the afternoon when theft is most common.
3. Ensure your property is well-lit at night; while criminal damage is low, good lighting is a simple and effective deterrent against opportunistic vandalism and vehicle crime.
4. Report any instances of anti-social behaviour to the local police; community reporting is essential for maintaining the area's high safety standards.
5. If you witness a public order incident, avoid engaging with the individuals involved and move to a safe location before seeking help.

Crime Time Patterns in Rural Rochford

Crime in Rural Rochford follows distinct daily cycles. During the morning (6am - 12pm), theft is the primary concern, accounting for 54% of incidents. This trend continues into the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), where theft rises to 59% and burglary accounts for 14% of reports. These periods coincide with times when commercial activity is highest and properties may be unoccupied.

As the day transitions into the evening (6pm - 12am), there is a significant shift towards 'Other' offences, including public order and anti-social behaviour, which surge to 47% of total reports. This period reflects the increased social activity in the area. During the night (12am - 6am), while overall volume is lower, the relative risk of vehicle crime peaks at 33%, and burglary remains high at 18%. These night-time statistics highlight the importance of securing property and vehicles before retiring, as offenders often take advantage of the reduced street activity during the early hours of the morning.

Rural Rochford is part of a cluster of settlements in Essex with varying safety profiles. When compared to nearby urban centres, Rural Rochford is notably more secure. It maintains a safer profile than larger neighbouring urban areas. It has a slightly higher crime rate than Hockley and Hawkwell (31.3) and Ashingdon (27.1). However, it remains a secure alternative to the larger neighbouring industrial and coastal hubs of the Thames Gateway. For residents, Rural Rochford offers a peaceful suburban and rural environment with safety levels far superior to the nearby industrial and coastal hubs of the region.

With a property crime rate of 15.7 per 1,000 people, Rural Rochford is one of the more secure residential areas in the county. Despite this, the recent 16.9% increase in overall crime suggests that homeowners should not be complacent. Traditional security systems like basic alarms or standard CCTV are reactive; they notify you after an incident has occurred or provide footage of a crime after the fact.

scOS offers a more advanced, proactive approach to home security. As an AI-powered operating system, scOS monitors your property's boundaries in real-time using multi-camera intelligence. It is designed to identify potential threats before they reach your home, distinguishing between normal activity and suspicious behaviour. In an area like Rural Rochford, where other theft and criminal damage are the main secondary concerns, scOS can act as a powerful deterrent. By activating autonomous responses like lighting or audio warnings, scOS can discourage offenders before they even attempt a crime. This proactive detection provides a superior level of protection, ensuring your home remains as safe as the statistics suggest.