Southfields Crime Rate

Southfields has an overall crime rate of 198.0 per 1,000 residents, which is more than double the UK national average of 91.6. The area has a safety score of 67/100, reflecting a more challenging safety environment compared to the national average of 79/100. Most notably, the crime trend in Southfields is decreasing, with a significant 10.8% year-over-year reduction recorded between January 2025 and December 2025. This downward movement suggests that the area is becoming safer, although the volume of reported incidents remains very high. As a small settlement with significant retail activity within Thurrock, the town's statistics reflect a high-activity commercial environment. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of the specific types of crime prevalent in the area and how Southfields compares to its neighbours.

In Southfields, the crime landscape is primarily defined by shoplifting, which constitutes 57.6% of all reported incidents, occurring at an exceptionally high rate of 114.0 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by violence and sexual offences at 13.1%, and public order at 6.5%. These figures suggest that commercial theft is the most significant concern for the local community.

Property crime in Southfields—including burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft—is recorded at 144.0 per 1,000 people. This is vastly higher than the UK national average of 32.2. Within this category, shoplifting is the most prominent, occurring at an exceptionally high rate of 114.0 per 1,000 people. Burglary rates are recorded at 3.4 per 1,000, representing 1.7% of the total crime volume. For residents, this means that while the overall volume of crime is very high, the risk to property from burglary is relatively low compared to commercial theft. However, homeowners should still be mindful of vehicle safety (8.2 per 1,000) and other theft (11.6 per 1,000), as these opportunistic crimes are a significant feature of the local statistics. The overall property crime rate suggests that while Southfields is a small settlement, commercial and external assets are extremely vulnerable.

The crime trend in Southfields is currently decreasing, with a significant 10.8% reduction in reported incidents over the last year. This is a positive sign, indicating that the area is becoming safer. Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 shows that the year began with a rate of 19.8 in January, rising to its yearly peak of 32.1 in February.

Following this peak, the rate fluctuated, with another high of 19.8 in March, 18.4 in October, and 22.5 in November. A significant drop occurred in July, where the rate fell to its yearly low of 5.5 per 1,000 residents, and in April at 10.9. The year finished at 15.7 in December. This pattern suggests that while the overall trend is decreasing, there are clear monthly fluctuations. For residents and business owners, this means that maintaining a consistent level of vigilance year-round is important, with extra focus on security during the peak months of February, March, and the autumn period. The overall decrease in the yearly trend provides a reassuring outlook for the community.

How To Keep Safe in Southfields

The most prevalent crime in Southfields is shoplifting, which accounts for 57.6% of all reported incidents. For business owners and retailers, this means that robust in-store security and real-time monitoring are essential. For residents, staying safe in the area's commercial zones involves being highly aware of your surroundings and keeping your personal belongings secure in crowded places.

Violence and sexual offences and public order are also significant concerns, each making up a portion of reports. To enhance your personal safety, especially during evening hours, it is advisable to stay alert and stick to well-lit, busy pedestrian routes. The fact that 15% of night-time crimes are burglaries suggests that you should be diligent about locking all doors and windows, especially when you are asleep. Vehicle crime is another notable concern, particularly at night when it makes up 53% of all activity. To protect your vehicle, 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. Always report suspicious activity to the local police to help them manage the area effectively. Joining a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme can also be a great way to stay informed and keep the community safe.

Southfields exhibits very clear crime cycles throughout the day, heavily influenced by its retail activity. During the morning and afternoon, theft and shoplifting are exceptionally prominent, making up 54% and 62% of incidents respectively. This pattern is common in areas with high commercial activity where opportunistic theft increases during shopping 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 35% of reported activity. The most critical shift occurs at night (12am-6am), where vehicle crime surges to account for a high 53% of all incidents. Burglary also remains a factor throughout the day, peaking at 15% during the night-time hours. This data highlights that while the area is very active, residents and business owners should be particularly vigilant about commercial security during the day and vehicle and home security overnight.

Southfields sits in a challenging regional safety landscape. Its crime rate of 198.0 per 1,000 is significantly higher than nearby Orsett (63.0), Horndon on the Hill (49.8), and Chadwell St Mary (103.8). It is also much more active than the quiet residential area of Baker Street (0.0). For those considering the Thurrock area, Southfields represents a very high-activity commercial environment—significantly more active than its primarily residential neighbours. This context helps residents and business owners understand that Southfields is one of the most active zones for reported crime within the wider Thurrock local authority, despite the recent downward trend in reported incidents. It offers a unique commercial profile for those looking to live or work in the region.

With a property crime rate of 144.0 per 1,000 people—vastly exceeding the UK average of 32.2—and a high volume of commercial theft, residents and business owners in Southfields should consider more than just traditional security. 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 53% of all night-time offences and shoplifting is exceptionally high, a proactive approach is essential.

The scOS AI-powered operating system is designed to prevent crime before it reaches your front door or business premises. 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, car thieves, and shoplifters rely on. For Southfields residents and business owners, moving from reactive recording to proactive AI detection means stopping a crime in those critical first 60 seconds, ensuring your property and assets remain truly secure.