Great Dunmow Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Great Dunmow, 5.2 crimes were reported in September 2023 — a rate 35% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This translates to a daily risk of roughly 2 crimes per day, or one reported crime for every 193 residents over the course of the month. The crime profile shows a clear dominance of violent crime, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 53.2% of all incidents (25 cases), followed by other theft (19.2%, 9 cases) and anti-social behaviour (6.4%, 3 cases). While the overall rate is significantly lower than the UK average, the nature of crime in Great Dunmow differs: violent offences are 2% above the UK average for this category, while property-related crimes like shoplifting and vehicle crime are 64-58% below national levels. This pattern may partly explain the area’s relatively low overall rate — a combination of effective local policing, the town’s character as a commuter hub with fewer late-night venues, and the seasonal context of September, when back-to-school routines may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. However, the persistence of violence and sexual offences, even at a slightly elevated rate compared to the UK, suggests targeted interventions may be needed in specific areas or demographics.

September 2023 saw notable shifts in crime patterns compared to August. Burglary fell sharply by 83.3% (from 6 to 1), likely reflecting seasonal changes as fewer homes are unoccupied during the school term. Conversely, public order offences doubled (1 to 2) and criminal damage and arson rose from zero to 2 cases, possibly linked to the transition from summer evenings to shorter daylight hours. Other theft remained stable at 9 cases, but shoplifting dropped by two-thirds (6 to 2), possibly due to increased foot traffic in retail areas during the start of the academic year. The town’s crime mix also shows divergence from the UK average: while violence and sexual offences are only 2% above the national rate, other theft is 67% higher, and anti-social behaviour is 78% lower. This suggests local factors — such as the town’s retail presence or demographic composition — may influence specific crime types more than others. For residents, the most immediate insight is that violent crime remains the largest single category, with 25 incidents reported in September alone.

The crime rate in Great Dunmow for September 2023 (5.2 per 1,000) represents a 21.8% decrease from August’s rate of 6.6 per 1,000, indicating a downward trend over the past month. On a daily basis, this equates to approximately 2 crimes reported each day in the town — a figure that, while seemingly high, is contextually lower than the UK average when scaled to local population size. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 193 residents, a statistic that underscores the relatively low frequency of crime in this built-up area compared to the national average. With a population of 9,084, the town’s crime profile is shaped by its commuter-oriented character, where fewer residents live in densely populated housing and more in single-family homes. This may contribute to lower rates of anti-social behaviour and property crime compared to larger urban centres. However, the persistence of violent crime — even at a slightly elevated rate relative to the UK — highlights the need for community-focused policing in areas where alcohol-related incidents or domestic disputes are more likely to occur. The contrast with the UK average also underscores the importance of local factors, such as the town’s proximity to larger cities like Chelmsford, which may influence both crime patterns and policing strategies.