Great Dunmow Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In September 2024, Great Dunmow recorded a crime rate of 4.3 per 1,000 residents, significantly below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This translates to a 44.2% reduction in risk compared to the national figure, reflecting a generally safer environment for residents. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (33.3% of total), followed by vehicle crime (12.8%) and anti-social behaviour (12.8%). These figures align with the seasonal rhythm of September, a time when the area experiences the return of students and the start of the academic year, which may contribute to heightened interpersonal tensions and increased foot traffic in local areas. While violence and sexual offences remain the most prevalent category, their rate of 1.4 per 1,000 is 47% below the UK average, suggesting effective community policing or local initiatives that have mitigated risks in this category. Vehicle crime, however, shows a slight divergence from national trends, with a rate of 0.6 per 1,000 compared to the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000, indicating a 33% increase in this category. This could be linked to the area’s infrastructure, such as car parks or retail zones, which may attract opportunistic theft. The lower rates of anti-social behaviour (49% below UK average) and public order offences (29% below) may reflect the community’s cohesion or the effectiveness of local authorities in managing public spaces. As the nights draw in and the academic year begins, the balance between community engagement and vigilance will likely shape future crime patterns, though September’s figures suggest a stable and relatively low-risk environment for residents.

September 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with three categories experiencing significant changes. Possession of weapons surged by 100%, rising from zero to one reported incident—a sharp increase that may be linked to the return of students and the pressures of social dynamics in the area. Similarly, other crime and drug-related offences both doubled, moving from zero to three incidents each, suggesting a possible uptick in unregulated activities or challenges in addressing emerging issues. Conversely, several categories saw marked declines: criminal damage and arson fell by 75% (from four to one incident), burglary dropped by 75% (from four to one), and other theft decreased by 60% (from five to two). These reductions may reflect the impact of seasonal factors, such as the start of the academic year, which could have shifted focus away from property crime toward more immediate social concerns. The crime mix also reveals a stark contrast between local and national trends: while vehicle crime is 33% above the UK average, anti-social behaviour is 49% below, and public order offences are 29% below. This divergence highlights the area’s unique characteristics, where community policing efforts or local infrastructure may contribute to lower rates of disorderly conduct. For residents, the most tangible insight is the 100% increase in possession of weapons, which, though a single incident, underscores the need for vigilance and awareness in public spaces during the transition to autumn.

Great Dunmow’s September 2024 crime rate of 4.3 per 1,000 residents represents an 18.8% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.3 per 1,000, indicating a downward trend in overall criminal activity. On a daily basis, this equates to roughly one crime per day across the built-up area—a figure that, while low, reflects the ongoing presence of criminal activity in a relatively small population. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 233 residents, highlighting the low probability of encountering crime for the average resident. This monthly exposure rate is a critical metric for understanding the scale of risk in a local context, though it should not be confused with daily crime counts, which are typically more variable. With a population of 9,084, the area’s crime statistics demonstrate a balance between low overall rates and specific categories that deviate from national norms. While vehicle crime is slightly above the UK average, the significant underperformance of violent crimes and anti-social behaviour suggests a community where public safety is prioritized through local initiatives or environmental factors. The comparison to the previous month also underscores the importance of tracking seasonal trends: as the academic year begins and the nights grow darker, the dynamics of crime may shift further, but the current data indicates a stable and improving situation for residents.