Crime Rate in Epping Forest: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Epping Forest

The total recorded crimes in Epping Forest, UK in July 2025 are around 1,125 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Epping Forest crime rate of 8.33 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Epping Forest, encompassing approximately 134,980 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (451) incidents (25.28% increase)
  • Vehicle crime: (122) incidents (40.23% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (107) incidents (13.83% increase)
Epping Forest Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • High Road with total crimes: 38
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 18
  • Toot Hill Road with total crimes: 15

Epping Forest Police Info:

Essex Police

How safe is Epping Forest?

To understand the safety of Epping Forest, we need to analyze Epping Forest crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • Epping Forest has recorded 12,979 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 96.15 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 150 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is safer than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 12,779 crimes with a crime rate of 94.67, ranking it 132 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Essex:

    • In 2024, Epping Forest reported a higher crime volume than the Essex average, with 12,979 crimes compared to 11,188. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, Epping Forest recorded fewer crimes than 7 out of 11 other cities.

    • In 2023, Epping Forest experienced a greater number of crimes than the Essex average, with 12,779 crimes compared to 10,805. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, Epping Forest recorded fewer crimes than 7 out of 11 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Epping Forest is considered safer compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Essex, Epping Forest has a higher crime rate in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Epping Forest Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Waltham Abbey High Beach (120 crimes), and the safest, Moreton and Fyfield (5 crimes), is 115 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Epping Forest.

Similarly, the area of Waltham Abbey West & Outer (162 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Chipping Ongar (28 crimes), with a difference of 134 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Epping Forest.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Waltham Abbey High Beach120
Epping Hemnall97
Loughton Broadway81
Passingford69
Waltham Abbey South West57

Safest Wards:

Roydon13
Lambourne12
Lower Sheering10
Shelley10
Moreton and Fyfield5

Most Dangerous Areas:

Waltham Abbey West & Outer162
Loughton East105
Epping South97
Fyfield, High Ongar & Stapleford Abbotts91
Loughton North70

Safest Areas:

Buckhurst Hill46
Loughton West43
Grange Hill34
Theydon Bois & Abridge30
Chipping Ongar28

Epping Forest Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the Epping Forest has recorded 1,125 crimes with crime rate of 8.33 ranking 174th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 5 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 4 in terms of crime rate in Essex.

In 2024, the total Epping Forest crimes were 12,979. The crime rate of Epping Forest in 2024 was 96.15 (year) or 8.01 (month) ranking it 150 danzarous in the UK. Epping Forest ranked 5 in terms of total crimes and 5 in terms of crime rate in Essex.

In 2023, the total crimes in Epping Forest were around 12,779 crimes with yearly crime rate of 94.67 (year) or 7.89 (month) ranking 132 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Essex, Epping Forest ranked 5 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 3 as per crime rate of Epping Forest

CityJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Essex)CrimesRank (Essex)CrimesRank (Essex)
Maldon342 133,699 123,581 12
Rochford406 124,940 114,915 11
Uttlesford551 116,354 95,858 10
Castle Point458 105,871 106,160 9
Braintree921 911,752 811,413 8
Colchester1,625 818,598 416,595 7
Brentwood568 76,730 76,665 6
Chelmsford1,291 616,768 615,876 5
Tendring1,477 515,080 313,826 4
Basildon1,790 120,557 220,839 2
Harlow938 210,933 111,148 1

Epping Forest Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 451 incidents, and Vehicle crime was another prevalent crime category with 122 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (360 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (106 cases).

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (347 incidents), followed by Vehicle crime also remained a significant concern (106 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (372 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Vehicle crime (90 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (316 incidents) and then Vehicle crime showed a substantial number of incidents (131 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 264 incidents, and Vehicle crime was another prevalent crime category with 123 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (309 reports) and Vehicle crime incidents were also notably high (131 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 309 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 87 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (275 reports) and Vehicle crime incidents were also notably high (129 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (337 incidents), followed by Vehicle crime also remained a significant concern (121 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (323 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Vehicle crime (106 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (354 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (135 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 4017 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 334.75 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 451 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025451
June 2025360
May 2025347
April 2025372
March 2025316
February 2025264
January 2025309
December 2024309
November 2024275
October 2024337
September 2024323
August 2024354

A total of 656 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 54.67 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 72 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202544
June 202537
May 202549
April 202551
March 202558
February 202556
January 202567
December 202453
November 202471
October 202472
September 202440
August 202458

A total of 858 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 71.50 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 93 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202582
June 202565
May 202587
April 202575
March 202577
February 202573
January 202562
December 202458
November 202463
October 202457
September 202466
August 202493

A total of 736 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 61.33 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 81 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202551
June 202572
May 202554
April 202549
March 202558
February 202559
January 202558
December 202457
November 202465
October 202476
September 202456
August 202481

A total of 1002 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 83.50 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 135 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025107
June 202594
May 202571
April 202573
March 202577
February 202571
January 202555
December 202474
November 202482
October 202495
September 202468
August 2024135

A total of 984 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 82.00 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 112 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202561
June 2025106
May 202565
April 202578
March 202589
February 202576
January 202577
December 202487
November 202499
October 202478
September 202456
August 2024112

A total of 1359 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 113.25 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 131 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025122
June 202587
May 2025106
April 202590
March 2025131
February 2025123
January 2025131
December 202487
November 2024129
October 2024121
September 2024106
August 2024126

A total of 40 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 4.00 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20257
June 20252
May 20254
April 20255
January 20253
December 20242
November 20243
October 20246
September 20244
August 20244

A total of 130 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 10.83 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202517
June 20257
May 202510
April 20259
March 20257
February 20256
January 202510
December 20249
November 202416
October 202422
September 20249
August 20248

A total of 89 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 7.42 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202510
June 20254
May 202510
April 202510
March 20256
February 20257
January 20254
December 20245
November 202410
October 20249
September 20246
August 20248

A total of 86 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 7.17 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20258
June 20254
May 20253
April 20251
March 202514
February 20254
January 20257
December 20249
November 202410
October 202410
September 202414
August 20242

A total of 547 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 45.58 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 75 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202558
June 202547
May 202542
April 202535
March 202545
February 202546
January 202536
December 202475
November 202457
October 202437
September 202438
August 202431

A total of 805 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 67.08 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 87 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202582
June 202563
May 202586
April 202567
March 202576
February 202569
January 202540
December 202435
November 202472
October 202464
September 202464
August 202487

A total of 273 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 22.75 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 35 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202525
June 202529
May 202522
April 202528
March 202515
February 202513
January 202513
December 202421
November 202435
October 202418
September 202425
August 202429

High Crime Locations Epping Forest in July 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Epping Forest postcode area is presented below.

1. High Road (Map)
Total38
Violence and sexual offences22
Criminal damage and arson8
Public order2
Other crime2
Anti-social behaviour2
Possession of weapons1
Other theft1
2. Supermarket (Map)
Total18
Shoplifting18
3. Toot Hill Road (Map)
Total15
Violence and sexual offences12
Anti-social behaviour3
4. Shopping Area (Map)
Total15
Shoplifting11
Public order2
Anti-social behaviour2
5. Paul'S Nursery Road (Map)
Total15
Anti-social behaviour9
Other theft3
Drugs3
6. Police Station (Map)
Total12
Violence and sexual offences5
Drugs5
Criminal damage and arson2

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.