Little Dunmow Crime Rate

Little Dunmow is a highly secure urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 27.9 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is exceptionally low when compared to the UK average of 93.1, earning the area a safety score of 93/100. The local security environment is currently improving, with crime rates showing a significant decreasing trend of 40.4% year-over-year. This downward trajectory, combined with its high safety score, positions Little Dunmow as one of the safest residential areas in the region. The data suggests a peaceful community where incident volumes are well below national benchmarks, providing a high level of reassurance for residents and prospective homeowners alike.

Crime Breakdown in Little Dunmow

The criminal landscape in Little Dunmow is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 41.9% of all reported incidents, with a rate of 11.7 per 1,000 residents. This is followed by shoplifting at 12.9% and anti-social behaviour at 9.7%. While these figures are the most frequent, the overall volumes remain exceptionally low due to the area's small population.

Property crime in Little Dunmow, which encompasses burglary, various forms of theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage, currently stands at 9.5 per 1,000 people. This is remarkably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9. Other theft and criminal damage each contribute approximately 8-10% to the total, while vehicle crime is minimal at just 3.2%. For residents, this suggests that while standard vigilance is necessary, the statistical likelihood of falling victim to property-related offences is significantly lower than in more urbanised parts of Essex. Homeowners should focus on maintaining the visible integrity of their property to sustain these low figures.

Crime Trends in Little Dunmow

The crime trend in Little Dunmow is exceptionally positive, showing a substantial 40.4% year-over-year decrease. This significant drop indicates that the area is becoming even safer than its already impressive baseline. Analysis of the monthly trend data from 2024 and 2025 reveals a low-volume environment with occasional fluctuations. For instance, March 2025 saw a relative peak of 5.4 crimes per 1,000 people, followed by May 2025 at 5.0.

However, these "peaks" are still very low in absolute terms. Many months, such as November 2024, February 2025, and October 2025, recorded rates as low as 0.5 per 1,000 people. This pattern of intermittent, low-level activity suggests that crime in Little Dunmow is not systemic but rather consists of isolated incidents. For residents, the consistent 40.4% reduction over the last twelve months provides strong evidence of a stable and improving local security climate.

How To Keep Safe in Little Dunmow

While Little Dunmow is very safe, the highest percentage of crime is attributed to violence and sexual offences. Although the absolute numbers are low, personal safety remains a priority. You should stay aware of your surroundings when walking alone, particularly during the evening hours. Ensure that your home's entry points are well-lit to deter any unwanted attention. It is also advisable to let someone know your expected arrival time when travelling back to the area late at night. Additionally, participating in local neighbourhood watch schemes can help maintain the community's high safety standards. Finally, always keep your mobile phone charged and easily accessible in case of an emergency.

Crime Timing in Little Dunmow

Crime in Little Dunmow follows a distinct temporal pattern, largely influenced by daytime activity. The afternoon period (12pm - 6pm) is the most active, where theft-related offences account for 71% of incidents. This suggests that the majority of crime is opportunistic and occurs when people are most active within the settlement. The morning hours (6am - 12pm) also see significant theft activity at 61%.

As the day transitions into evening and night, the nature of crime shifts. During the night (12am - 6am), vehicle crime becomes a much more prominent factor, rising to 39% of the period's total. This is a typical pattern for residential areas where vehicles are parked overnight. However, it is important to note that burglary remains at 0% across all time periods, highlighting the consistent security of residential properties in Little Dunmow throughout the 24-hour cycle.

When examining the local region, Little Dunmow stands out as a particularly safe pocket. Its crime rate of 27.9 is notably lower than nearby Stebbing, which records 33.4 crimes per 1,000 people, and Felsted, which sits higher at 41.4. While extremely small neighbouring hamlets like Causeway End and Barnston report zero crimes, these are much smaller populations. Compared to similar-sized settlements in Uttlesford, Little Dunmow offers a superior safety profile. This makes it an attractive option for those seeking a quiet, low-risk environment while remaining close to the larger hubs of Essex. The regional context reinforces the area's reputation for safety and security.

In an area like Little Dunmow, where property crime is low at 9.5 per 1,000 people, the primary goal of security is maintaining that status and preventing opportunistic offences. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or basic alarms, are often reactive; they record a crime while it is happening or notify you after the intruder has already entered your home. This approach provides evidence but does not prevent the emotional and financial cost of a break-in.

For homeowners in Little Dunmow seeking the highest level of protection, scOS offers a proactive alternative. By using multi-camera AI intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries in real-time, identifying threats before they reach your door. Unlike standard cameras that may trigger false alerts for pets or falling leaves, scOS learns your routines and only alerts you to genuine risks. The system can autonomously engage deterrents like lighting or speakers, destroying the element of surprise for any potential intruder. In a low-crime area, a visible, intelligent system like scOS serves as a powerful deterrent, ensuring your property remains a hard target.