Great Oakley Crime Rate

Great Oakley Crime Statistics Overview

Great Oakley is a notably safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 30.0 per 1,000 people. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7, contributing to an impressive safety score of 88/100. Recent data indicates a positive shift for the community, with the crime rate decreasing by 11.4% year-over-year. This downward trend suggests that Great Oakley is maintaining its status as a secure environment for its 1,035 residents. While the safety score is well above the UK average of 79, understanding the local crime distribution and time patterns is essential for residents to continue prioritising their personal and property security effectively.

Crime Breakdown in Great Oakley

Great Oakley’s crime landscape is predominantly defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 17 recorded incidents, representing 54.8% of all local crime. This is followed by 'other theft' at 19.4% and public order offences at 16.1%. While these figures highlight specific areas of concern, the overall volume of crime remains relatively low given the area's population.

Property-related crime in Great Oakley—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, criminal damage, and various forms of theft—sits at a rate of 8.7 per 1,000 residents. Specifically, burglary, vehicle crime, and criminal damage each accounted for just 3.2% of the total crime respectively during this period. For homeowners and residents, this suggests that while the risk of property intrusion or theft is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3 per 1,000, maintaining basic security vigilance remains important to deter opportunistic activity.

Crime Trends in Great Oakley

The crime trend in Great Oakley is currently on a downward trajectory, with a notable year-over-year decrease of 11.4%. This reduction is a positive indicator of the area's ongoing safety. Monthly data from the period between December 2024 and September 2025 shows fluctuations in activity, with the highest crime rates recorded in December, May, and July, all reaching 5.8 per 1,000 people.

Conversely, February 2024 saw the lowest activity with a rate of just 1.0 per 1,000. The consistent low figures in other months, such as January, March, August, and September (all under 3.0), suggest that the spikes are occasional rather than systemic. For residents, this decreasing trend means that the community is becoming statistically safer, though the periodic fluctuations highlight the need for continued awareness during peak months.

How To Keep Safe in Great Oakley

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently recorded crime type in Great Oakley, making up over half of the local statistics. While the overall numbers are low, personal safety and awareness remain the primary focus for residents.

To stay safe, always plan your routes, especially when walking after dark, and stick to well-lit, familiar paths. Engaging with local community watch groups can help you stay informed about any unusual activity in the neighbourhood. If you are ever in a situation where you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts and head toward a populated area or a known safe space. For residents, ensuring that your home’s exterior is well-lit can also act as a deterrent for various types of anti-social behaviour. Reporting any suspicious activity to the local police promptly helps maintain the low crime levels Great Oakley currently enjoys. Finally, always keep your mobile phone charged and accessible when out and about.

Crime Time Patterns in Great Oakley

Analysis of crime timing in Great Oakley reveals distinct patterns throughout the day. The morning and afternoon periods are most heavily affected by theft-related offences, with 'other theft' accounting for up to 75% of crimes between 12pm and 6pm. This suggests that opportunistic crimes are more frequent during daylight hours when residents may be away from their homes or active in the community.

As the day transitions into the evening and night, the nature of crime shifts. Vehicle crime becomes significantly more prominent, peaking between 12am and 6am, where it represents 37% of recorded incidents. Burglary also shows an upward trend in the late hours, accounting for 24% of night-time crimes compared to just 8% in the morning. These patterns indicate that while the area is generally safe, property and vehicle security are most vulnerable during the hours of darkness.

Nearby Areas Comparison

When looking at the wider region, Great Oakley sits in a varied landscape of crime statistics. It is substantially safer than Harwich, which experiences a high crime rate of 94.8 per 1,000 people. However, it is slightly less safe than the immediate neighbouring areas of Wix and Parkeston, both of which reported 0.0 crimes per 1,000 in this data period. Great Oakley’s rate of 30.0 is very similar to Thorpe-le-Soken, which maintains a rate of 27.1 per 1,000. This context places Great Oakley as one of the safer settlements in the Tendring area, offering a quiet residential alternative to the busier hubs like Harwich.

Proactive Property Protection in Great Oakley

With a property crime rate of 8.7 per 1,000 residents, Great Oakley is a low-risk area, yet the impact of a single burglary or vehicle theft can be devastating. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or doorbell cameras, are often reactive—they provide you with a recording of a crime after it has already occurred. In an area where crime is low, the goal of security should be total prevention rather than evidence collection.

The scOS operating system offers a proactive alternative by using AI to monitor your property's boundaries 24/7. Unlike standard systems, scOS can distinguish between a neighbour, a delivery person, and a potential threat. If an unauthorised individual lingers at your boundary, the system can trigger autonomous responses—such as activating lighting or audio deterrents—to stop a crime before it begins. This level of intelligent protection ensures that Great Oakley residents can maintain their high standard of safety by deterring opportunistic criminals who might otherwise target unattended properties.