Great Dunmow Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The crime mix in Great Dunmow during February 2026 reveals a distinct profile shaped by seasonal factors and local characteristics. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 36.6% of all reported crimes, making them the most prevalent category. This is significantly higher than the UK average for this category (2.3 per 1,000 compared to the UK’s 2.7 per 1,000).5 per 1,000 remains 29.7% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. The second most common crime type was criminal damage and arson, which occurred at 0.8 per 1,000—74% above the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. This stark contrast highlights a unique local dynamic, potentially influenced by the built-up area’s infrastructure or community patterns. The low outdoor activity typical of February, a winter month, likely contributes to the lower incidence of property crimes compared to other seasons, though this is offset by higher reported incidents of criminal damage. The overall balance of crime types suggests a community where interpersonal conflicts and property-related disputes are more prominent than theft or burglary. This pattern is consistent with the area’s character as a relatively small, built-up town within Uttlesford, where social interactions and community cohesion may play a role in shaping crime profiles. The pre-spring lull in activity during February may also dampen opportunities for certain types of crime, though this does not fully explain the elevated rates of criminal damage and arson, which require further exploration of local factors.

February 2026 saw significant shifts in crime patterns compared to January, with violence and sexual offences dropping by 48.3% (from 29 to 15 cases) and shoplifting declining by 33.3% (from 3 to 2 cases). This decrease aligns with the seasonal context of a winter lull, where reduced outdoor activity and colder weather may limit opportunities for certain crimes. However, other theft increased by 200%, jumping from 1 to 3 cases, suggesting a possible rise in indoor-related crimes or targeted incidents. Robbery and possession of weapons both doubled from zero to one case each, marking unusual spikes that warrant attention. The crime mix also revealed stark contrasts with UK averages: while violence and sexual offences were 27% below the UK average, criminal damage and arson were 74% above. This divergence underscores local factors influencing property crime, potentially linked to the area’s infrastructure or community dynamics. For residents, the 33.3% drop in shoplifting is a notable positive trend, though the 200% increase in other theft highlights areas for vigilance. The absence of significant changes in burglary or vehicle crime (both down 33.3%) indicates stability in these categories, which may reflect effective local measures or seasonal inactivity.

Great Dunmow’s crime rate in February 2026 fell to 4.5 per 1,000, a 30.5% decline from January’s rate of 6.5 per 1,000. This reduction translates to roughly one reported crime per day over the 28-day period, a figure that places the area among the safer built-up areas in the UK. On a monthly basis, the 4.5 per 1,000 rate means that, over the course of February, one reported crime occurred for every 222 residents—a ratio that suggests a relatively low risk of encountering crime for local residents. When viewed against the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, Great Dunmow’s performance is striking: its rate is 29.7% lower, a difference that underscores the area’s effectiveness in crime prevention or its unique demographic and geographic factors. The population-scaled perspective reveals that the likelihood of being directly affected by crime is significantly lower here than nationally, though this does not eliminate the need for vigilance in categories like criminal damage and arson, which remain elevated compared to UK averages. The contrast with other areas in the UK highlights the importance of localized approaches to crime reduction, particularly in addressing the specific challenges that contribute to the higher rates of property-related offences in Great Dunmow.