Great Dunmow Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The crime picture in Great Dunmow during May 2024 reveals a striking contrast between violent and property crime patterns, with violence and sexual offences dominating the monthly tally. At 6.6 crimes per 1,000 residents, the area's overall rate remains 21.4% below the UK average of 8.4, a consistent trend for this built-up area within Uttlesford. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 45% of all reported crimes (27 incidents), outpacing property crime (24 incidents) for the first time this year. This shift may partly explain the area's lower-than-average rate, as violent crime typically draws more police attention and community intervention. Vehicle crime (11 incidents) and criminal damage (7 incidents) also contributed significantly, with the former 155% above the UK average. Seasonal factors in May—longer evenings, bank holidays, and increased outdoor socialising—likely influenced the prevalence of violent and public order offences, which rose by 6% and 11% respectively compared to the UK average. The area's relatively low burglary rate (0.2 per 1,000) and sharp drop in anti-social behaviour (87.5% month-on-month) suggest community cohesion and effective local policing strategies, though the 100% increase in burglary cases highlights persistent vulnerabilities in residential areas. This balance between violent and property crime reflects both the challenges of a small urban centre and the successes of targeted crime prevention efforts.

May 2024 saw a notable 100% increase in burglary cases, rising from one to two incidents, alongside the first reported instance of 'other crime' and possession of weapons—both new categories for the month. These spikes contrast sharply with an 87.5% decline in anti-social behaviour, which fell from eight to one incident, suggesting a possible focus on addressing public order issues in the area. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category (45% of total crimes), though they were only 6% above the UK average, indicating that local efforts to curb violent crime are having some effect. Vehicle crime stood out as a major concern, with 11 incidents reported—155% above the UK average—potentially linked to the town's retail and transport infrastructure. Meanwhile, shoplifting cases dropped by 50% compared to April, and other theft incidents fell by 40%, reflecting a possible seasonal lull in retail-related crimes. The area's performance in reducing anti-social behaviour (now 93% below the UK average) may be attributed to community engagement initiatives or increased visibility policing, though the absence of specific programmes in the data means this remains speculative.

Great Dunmow's crime rate in May 2024 (6.6 per 1,000 residents) rose by 5.4% compared to the previous month's rate of 6.3, though it remains significantly lower than the UK average. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 151 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average but not directly comparable due to the area's smaller population. On a daily basis, the town experienced roughly two crimes per day, a figure that aligns with the relatively low overall rate but highlights the concentrated nature of certain crime types. The 100% increase in burglary cases and the emergence of new categories like 'other crime' and weapon possession underscore the need for vigilance in residential areas. Conversely, the sharp decline in anti-social behaviour (from eight to one incident) and the 50% drop in shoplifting suggest that targeted interventions or seasonal factors may have contributed to reduced incidents in those categories. When scaled to the population, the 0.2 per 1,000 burglary rate and 0.3 per 1,000 other theft rate indicate that property crime remains a manageable concern for residents, despite the month-on-month increase. These figures collectively illustrate an area with a generally low crime profile but with specific vulnerabilities that require ongoing attention.