Takeley and Little Canfield Crime Rate

Takeley and Little Canfield currently faces significant challenges with an overall crime rate of 214.1 per 1,000 people. This figure is more than double the UK national average of 93.1, resulting in a safety score of 58/100. Furthermore, the area has seen an 11.2% increase in crime over the past year, indicating a rising trend. The proximity to major transport hubs and commercial areas likely contributes to these elevated statistics. For the 7,721 residents, understanding that the majority of these incidents are concentrated in specific theft and anti-social behaviour categories is key to assessing personal and property risk in the local area.

Crime in Takeley and Little Canfield

The crime landscape in Takeley and Little Canfield is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 20.6% of all reported incidents. However, 'other theft' is nearly as prevalent at 18.8%, followed closely by anti-social behaviour at 17.8%. These three categories represent over half of the area's total crime.

Property crime is a major concern here, with a combined rate of 98.7 per 1,000 people. This is exceptionally high, nearly triple the UK average of 32.9. This category is driven largely by high volumes of 'other theft' (310 cases) and shoplifting (190 cases). Vehicle crime also contributes significantly with 101 recorded incidents. Interestingly, burglary remains very low at just 1.3 per 1,000 residents. For homeowners and business owners, the data suggests that while the risk of a break-in is statistically low, the risk of theft from outside the home or in public/commercial spaces is substantial, necessitating high levels of vigilance and robust security.

Crime Trends in Takeley and Little Canfield

Crime in Takeley and Little Canfield is currently on an upward trajectory, with a notable 11.2% increase in total offences year-over-year. This rise is a significant concern for the local community and suggests that previous crime prevention measures may need re-evaluation.

The monthly data for the past year reveals a volatile pattern. The crime rate reached its highest point in January 2025 at 21.9 incidents per 1,000 people, with another significant peak in September 2025 at 20.2. The lowest point was recorded in February 2025 at 14.5, but rates quickly climbed back up in the following months. Throughout the latter half of 2025, the rate has remained consistently high, mostly staying above 15.7. This sustained level of high activity, combined with the overall double-digit percentage increase, indicates a persistent and growing crime challenge in the area.

How To Keep Safe in Takeley and Little Canfield

The highest crime type in Takeley and Little Canfield is violence and sexual offences, followed very closely by theft-related crimes. Given the high overall crime rate, a high level of situational awareness is recommended.

To stay safe, avoid walking alone in secluded or poorly lit areas, especially during the evening. If you are visiting commercial or high-footfall areas, keep your personal belongings secure and out of sight, as theft is extremely common during the day. For vehicle owners, never leave anything of value in your car and always park in well-lit, busy locations.

Since theft accounts for the vast majority of daytime incidents, consider using anti-theft bags and being particularly vigilant in shops and public spaces. Finally, ensure your home’s perimeter is well-secured; although burglary is low, the general high level of theft in the area suggests that opportunistic criminals are active nearby. Community vigilance and reporting suspicious behaviour to the police are essential for local safety.

The timing of crime in Takeley and Little Canfield shows an extraordinary concentration during daylight hours. Theft-related offences dominate the morning and afternoon, accounting for 78% and 86% of crimes respectively. This suggests that the majority of criminal activity is linked to commercial hours and public footfall.

As the day transitions into evening, the crime mix becomes more varied, though theft remains the largest single category at 56%. However, the night hours (12am - 6am) see a dramatic shift. During this period, vehicle crime becomes the primary threat, representing 49% of all incidents. This indicates that while the overall volume of crime may decrease at night, the risk to parked vehicles increases significantly. Residents should adjust their security focus accordingly: being vigilant against theft during the day and prioritising vehicle security overnight.

Takeley and Little Canfield presents a stark statistical contrast to its immediate surroundings. Neighbouring Takeley Street, Burton End, and High Roding all report 0.0 crimes per 1,000 people, highlighting how concentrated the activity is within the main urban settlement. Hatfield Broad Oak, while reporting a more typical 65.1 crimes per 1,000, is still significantly safer than the Takeley and Little Canfield BUA. This disparity suggests that the local crime rate is heavily influenced by specific local factors, such as commercial density or transient populations associated with nearby transport infrastructure.

The property crime rate in Takeley and Little Canfield is 98.7 per 1,000, which is exceptionally high. In such an environment, traditional reactive security like standard CCTV is often insufficient, as it merely records the high volume of theft and shoplifting after it has occurred.

For residents and business owners, scOS provides a proactive solution. By using AI to monitor camera feeds simultaneously, scOS can identify suspicious patterns at the property line. In an area where 'other theft' is so prevalent, the ability of scOS to trigger autonomous responses—such as activating warning lights or audio alerts—can stop a thief before they ever touch your property. The system’s vehicle verification also helps combat the significant vehicle crime rate. Transitioning from recording a crime to preventing it is the most effective way to secure a property in a high-crime area like this.