Great Bentley Crime Rate

Great Bentley is a high-safety urban settlement, featuring a safety score of 85/100, which is notably better than the UK average of 79. For its 2,552 residents, the village offers a secure environment with an overall crime rate of 60.4 per 1,000 people, well below the national average of 91.7. While there has been a 20.3% increase in recorded crime year-over-year, the area remains one of the more secure locations in the Tendring district. Property crime, in particular, is very low, far below national figures. This combination of low crime volume and a high safety score makes Great Bentley an attractive choice for those prioritising security. The detailed analysis below explores the local crime breakdown and temporal patterns.

Crime in Great Bentley

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Great Bentley, accounting for 44.8% of all reported incidents. This is followed by public order offences at 13.0% and anti-social behaviour at 11.7%. These figures suggest that personal safety and community conduct are the primary focus for local law enforcement.

Property crime in Great Bentley, which includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage, occurs at a rate of 14.1 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.3. Within this category, criminal damage and arson are the most frequent with 11 cases, while burglary and vehicle crime each account for 8 and 5 cases respectively. For residents, this means the risk of property-related crime is very low. The statistics indicate a secure environment where homes and vehicles are rarely targeted compared to national averages. Homeowners can feel a high level of confidence in the safety of their property in this village.

Crime Trends in Great Bentley

Great Bentley's crime rate has shown an upward trend over the past year, with a 20.3% increase year-over-year. This stability is a hallmark of the area's safe environment. Monthly data shows low levels of activity throughout the year, with the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuating between a low of 2.0 in April 2025 and a peak of 9.8 in August 2025.

The slightly higher rates in August and November (both above 8.0) do not represent a significant surge but rather minor fluctuations in a generally low-crime landscape. By November 2025, the rate was 8.2, showing that crime remains well-controlled. This lack of significant variation over the twelve-month period indicates that Great Bentley is not subject to the large seasonal spikes seen in more urban areas. For residents, this trend data confirms that Great Bentley remains a consistently secure and predictable place to live.

How To Keep Safe in Great Bentley

Great Bentley is a very low-crime area, but staying aware of local patterns can help maintain this high level of safety. The most common recorded incidents are violence and sexual offences, though the actual numbers are low.

In public spaces, continue to follow standard safety practices: stay in well-lit areas at night and be aware of your surroundings. The community's safety is bolstered by neighbours looking out for one another, so participating in local watch schemes can be very effective.

Regarding property, although burglary is rare, it is still wise to ensure all doors and windows are locked when you are away. For vehicle owners, the night-time increase in vehicle-related reports (49% of night-time crime) suggests that parking in a garage or a well-lit driveway is beneficial. Installing a professional security system not only protects your home but also contributes to the overall deterrence of crime in the neighbourhood. Reporting any unusual activity to the police helps them maintain the excellent safety record Great Bentley currently enjoys.

Crime in Great Bentley is infrequent, but it follows specific temporal patterns. The morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm) are the most active periods for theft, with 48% and 55% of crimes during these hours being theft-related. This likely corresponds with daytime activity and local commercial movements. During the evening (6pm-12am), 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order, increase to 39% of reports. The night-time period (12am-6am) sees a notable shift; while overall crime is very low, vehicle crime accounts for 49% of incidents during these hours. This suggests that vehicles are the primary target when the village is at its quietest. Burglary remains a very low but consistent factor across all periods, with a relative peak in the afternoon and at night (16%). Morning hours are dominated by theft, reflecting the start of the daily cycle.

When compared to its neighbours, Great Bentley is a safe option. Its crime rate of 60.4 per 1,000 is much lower than Weeley (103.7). While Thorrington, Frating Green, and Hare Green all have no recorded crimes, Great Bentley remains significantly safer than the regional average. For residents looking for a peaceful village atmosphere with low crime levels, Great Bentley offers a highly secure environment compared to the busier coastal and inland settlements nearby.

With a property crime rate of just 14.1 per 1,000 people, Great Bentley is a model of residential security. However, even in very safe areas, the impact of a single burglary or vehicle theft can be significant. Traditional security systems, such as basic alarms or standard CCTV, are reactive; they only notify you after an incident has occurred. In a quiet village like Great Bentley, the goal of security should be to maintain the status quo by deterring even the most infrequent opportunistic threat.

The scOS platform provides proactive protection that aligns with Great Bentley's high safety standards. By using AI to monitor camera feeds simultaneously, scOS identifies potential threats at the property line before any damage is done. The system's ability to autonomously respond—activating lights or audio alerts—ensures that an intruder is deterred immediately. Most opportunistic criminals will avoid a property that shows active, intelligent monitoring. For Great Bentley homeowners, moving from a reactive system to proactive AI detection is about preserving the peace and security that makes the village so desirable.