Great Dunmow Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 9,084 residents, Great Dunmow recorded 62 crimes in October 2024, equating to a crime rate of 6.8 per 1,000 people — 16% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This figure, while modest, reflects a combination of local factors and seasonal influences. The most common crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 29% of total crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (19.4%) and other theft (9.7%). These patterns align with the area’s built-up nature within a rural district, where retail activity and community interactions may contribute to the prevalence of certain offences. The seasonal context of October — with darker evenings, the transition to British Summer Time, and the proximity of Halloween — likely influenced crime dynamics. For instance, the relatively low rate of shoplifting (72% below the UK average) may be attributed to the area’s smaller retail footprint compared to urban centres. Conversely, vehicle crime and other theft are above the UK average, reflecting the presence of commuter parking or local transport hubs. The overall crime rate, while lower than the national average, highlights the importance of contextualising statistics within the area’s unique demographic and geographic profile.

October 2024 saw sharp increases in specific crime categories, with burglary rising by 400% (from 1 to 5 incidents) and criminal damage and arson doubling (from 1 to 3). These spikes, though modest in absolute terms, may be linked to seasonal factors such as darker evenings and Halloween-related activity. Conversely, other crime categories showed declines, including a 66.7% drop in ‘other crime’ (from 3 to 1) and a 33.3% reduction in drug-related offences (from 3 to 2). The breakdown of crime types reveals a mix of localised and national trends: while violence and sexual offences remain the most common category (29% of total crimes), they are 25% below the UK average. Meanwhile, vehicle crime and other theft are significantly above the UK average (49% and 25% higher, respectively), potentially reflecting the area’s commuter presence or local retail activity. Residents may find the 400% surge in burglary particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a concentrated shift in criminal activity during the month.

Over the course of October 2024, Great Dunmow saw 62 reported crimes — a rate of 6.8 per 1,000 residents, marking a 59.2% increase from the previous month’s rate of 4.3 per 1,000. This translates to roughly 2 crimes per day in the built-up area, a figure that, while modest, reflects a noticeable upward trend. When viewed through the lens of population, the monthly exposure equates to one crime occurring for every 147 residents, a statistic that underscores the relative safety of the area despite the rise. This monthly aggregate, however, does not capture daily fluctuations, which may be influenced by factors such as seasonal transitions or local events. The contrast with the UK average — where the national rate stands at 8.1 per 1,000 — highlights Great Dunmow’s position as a below-average area for crime, though the recent increase suggests a need for continued monitoring. The population context also reveals that, for every 1,000 residents, the area experiences fewer crimes than the UK average, a pattern consistent with its rural character and lower population density within the Uttlesford district.