East Tilbury Crime Rate

East Tilbury has an overall crime rate of 67.9 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK national average of 91.6. The area has an excellent safety score of 82/100, surpassing the UK national average of 79/100. Most notably, the crime trend in East Tilbury is decreasing, with a substantial 23.3% year-over-year reduction recorded between January 2025 and December 2025. This significant downward movement suggests that the area is becoming increasingly safe, making it a very attractive location for residents and families. As a primarily residential settlement within Thurrock, the town's statistics reflect a secure and improving environment. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of the specific types of crime prevalent in the area and how East Tilbury compares to its neighbours.

In East Tilbury, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 46.4% of all reported incidents, occurring at a rate of 31.5 per 1,000 residents. Vehicle crime is the second most frequent issue (12.3%), followed by anti-social behaviour (7.9%). These figures suggest that personal safety and vehicle security are the most significant concerns for the local community.

Property crime in East Tilbury—including burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft—is recorded at 21.6 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK national average of 32.2, indicating a relatively secure environment for property owners. Within this category, vehicle crime is the most prominent, occurring at a rate of 8.4 per 1,000 people. Burglary rates are recorded at 1.7 per 1,000, representing 2.5% of the total crime volume. For residents, this means that while home break-ins are relatively rare, the risk to property from vehicle crime and criminal damage (6.7%) is more persistent. Homeowners should be particularly mindful of vehicle safety, as this opportunistic crime is a regular feature of the local statistics. The overall low property crime rate is a positive indicator for the area's residential security.

The crime trend in East Tilbury is currently decreasing, with a significant 23.3% reduction in reported incidents over the last year. This is a very positive sign, indicating that the town is becoming much safer. Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 shows that the year began with a rate of 5.0 in January, dipping to a low of 3.5 in February. The yearly peak occurred in March 2025, reaching a rate of 7.7 per 1,000 residents.

Following this peak, the rate remained relatively low through the summer and autumn, reaching another high of 7.2 in July and 5.5 in November. A significant drop occurred in September, where the rate fell to 4.0 per 1,000 residents, before finishing at 7.4 in December. This pattern suggests that while the overall trend is decreasing significantly, there are clear monthly fluctuations. For residents, this means that maintaining a consistent level of vigilance year-round is important, with extra focus on security during the peak months of March, July, and December. The overall significant decrease in the yearly trend provides a very reassuring outlook for the community.

How To Keep Safe in East Tilbury

The most prevalent crime in East Tilbury is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 46.4% of all reported incidents. To enhance your personal safety, especially during evening hours, it is advisable to stay alert and stick to well-lit, busy pedestrian routes. If you are out at night, try to travel with others and avoid using poorly lit shortcuts or quiet residential alleys.

Given that vehicle crime is the second most common issue and peaks significantly at night, homeowners should ensure their vehicles have visible deterrents. Always park in well-lit areas, ideally in a garage or behind a locked gate if possible. Using a visible steering lock can act as a strong deterrent to opportunistic thieves. The fact that 15% of afternoon crimes are burglaries suggests that you should be diligent about locking all doors and windows even when you are just popping out for a short time. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage are also present, so ensuring your property has good exterior lighting and secure side access can help reduce the risk of becoming a target. Always report suspicious activity to the local police to help them manage the area effectively.

East Tilbury exhibits very clear crime cycles throughout the day. During the morning and afternoon, theft-related offences are prominent, making up 31% and 39% of incidents respectively. This pattern is common in residential areas where opportunistic theft increases during daylight hours. As the evening sets in (6pm-12am), there is a significant shift toward 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which comprise 41% of reported activity. The most critical shift occurs at night (12am-6am), where vehicle crime surges to account for a high 67% of all incidents. Burglary also remains a factor throughout the day, peaking at 15% during the afternoon hours. This data highlights that while the area is generally safe, residents should be particularly vigilant about home security during the day and vehicle security overnight.

East Tilbury sits in a favourable regional safety landscape. Its crime rate of 67.9 per 1,000 is notably lower than nearby Chadwell St Mary (103.8) and Tilbury (138.1). It is also safer than the high-activity zone of Southfields (198.0). While it is slightly more active than the quiet residential enclave of Horndon on the Hill (49.8), it remains one of the more secure urban options in the eastern part of Thurrock. For those considering the area, East Tilbury represents a very safe residential environment—significantly more secure than many of its larger and more industrial neighbours. This context helps residents understand that East Tilbury is one of the safest pockets within the wider Thurrock local authority.

With a property crime rate of 21.6 per 1,000 people—well below the UK average of 32.2—and a significantly decreasing crime trend, residents in East Tilbury live in a relatively secure area. However, property protection remains a key concern, especially regarding vehicles. Standard CCTV and doorbell cameras are reactive; they record a crime as it happens, but they rarely stop it. In an area where vehicle crime accounts for a high 67% of all night-time offences, a proactive approach is far more effective.

The scOS AI-powered operating system is designed to prevent crime before it reaches your front door. By using multi-camera intelligence to watch your property boundaries, scOS can identify a threat the moment it appears. Instead of just sending a notification to your phone while you're asleep, scOS can autonomously trigger deterrents like high-intensity lights and audio warnings. This immediate response destroys the element of surprise that burglars and car thieves rely on. For East Tilbury residents, moving from reactive recording to proactive AI detection means stopping a crime in those critical first 60 seconds, ensuring your home and vehicles remain truly secure in an already safe environment.