Crime Rate in Epping Forest: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Epping Forest

The total recorded crimes in Epping Forest, UK in May 2025 are around 956 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Epping Forest crime rate of 7.08 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 May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (347) incidents (-6.72% decrease)
  • Vehicle crime: (106) incidents (17.78% increase)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (87) incidents (16.00% increase)
Epping Forest Crime Hotspots

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

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 29
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 22
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 18

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, Loughton Broadway (99 crimes), and the safest, Moreton and Fyfield (4 crimes), is 95 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Epping Forest.

Similarly, the area of Loughton East (119 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Theydon Bois & Abridge (28 crimes), with a difference of 91 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Epping Forest.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Loughton Broadway99
Waltham Abbey High Beach78
Loughton St Mary's64
Passingford63
Epping Lindsey and Thornwood Common57

Safest Wards:

Shelley13
Theydon Bois10
Chigwell Row7
Lower Sheering5
Moreton and Fyfield4

Most Dangerous Areas:

Loughton East119
Waltham Abbey West & Outer115
Loughton North89
Fyfield, High Ongar & Stapleford Abbotts84
Buckhurst Hill60

Safest Areas:

Chipping Ongar39
Chigwell35
Loughton West32
Epping South29
Theydon Bois & Abridge28

Epping Forest Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Epping Forest has recorded 956 crimes with crime rate of 7.08 ranking 206th 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

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Essex)CrimesRank (Essex)CrimesRank (Essex)
Maldon265 133,699 123,581 12
Rochford340 124,940 114,915 11
Uttlesford512 116,354 95,858 10
Castle Point489 105,871 106,160 9
Braintree931 911,752 811,413 8
Colchester1,616 818,598 416,595 7
Brentwood490 76,730 76,665 6
Chelmsford1,340 616,768 615,876 5
Tendring1,214 515,080 313,826 4
Basildon1,621 120,557 220,839 2
Harlow918 210,933 111,148 1

Epping Forest Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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 Vehicle crime 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).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 304 incidents, and Vehicle crime was another prevalent crime category with 144 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (680 reports) and Vehicle crime incidents were also notably high (240 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 568 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 47.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 102 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202542
April 202535
March 202545
February 202546
January 202536
December 202475
November 202457
October 202437
September 202438
August 202431
July 202424
June 2024102

A total of 37 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 3.70 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 6 reported cases.

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

A total of 882 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 73.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 142 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202586
April 202567
March 202576
February 202569
January 202540
December 202435
November 202472
October 202464
September 202464
August 202487
July 202480
June 2024142

A total of 761 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 63.42 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 118 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202549
April 202551
March 202558
February 202556
January 202567
December 202453
November 202471
October 202472
September 202440
August 202458
July 202468
June 2024118

A total of 135 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.25 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202510
April 20259
March 20257
February 20256
January 202510
December 20249
November 202416
October 202422
September 20249
August 20248
July 20249
June 202420

A total of 854 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 71.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 160 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202554
April 202549
March 202558
February 202559
January 202558
December 202457
November 202465
October 202476
September 202456
August 202481
July 202481
June 2024160

A total of 936 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 78.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 152 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202587
April 202575
March 202577
February 202573
January 202562
December 202458
November 202463
October 202457
September 202466
August 202493
July 202473
June 2024152

A total of 262 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 21.83 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 35 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202522
April 202528
March 202515
February 202513
January 202513
December 202421
November 202435
October 202418
September 202425
August 202429
July 202421
June 202422

A total of 4190 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 349.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 680 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025347
April 2025372
March 2025316
February 2025264
January 2025309
December 2024309
November 2024275
October 2024337
September 2024323
August 2024354
July 2024304
June 2024680

A total of 112 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 9.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202510
April 202510
March 20256
February 20257
January 20254
December 20245
November 202410
October 20249
September 20246
August 20248
July 202411
June 202426

A total of 1144 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 95.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 234 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202571
April 202573
March 202577
February 202571
January 202555
December 202474
November 202482
October 202495
September 202468
August 2024135
July 2024109
June 2024234

A total of 1011 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 84.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 120 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202565
April 202578
March 202589
February 202576
January 202577
December 202487
November 202499
October 202478
September 202456
August 2024112
July 202474
June 2024120

A total of 1534 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 127.83 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 240 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025106
April 202590
March 2025131
February 2025123
January 2025131
December 202487
November 2024129
October 2024121
September 2024106
August 2024126
July 2024144
June 2024240

A total of 100 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 8.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20251
March 202514
February 20254
January 20257
December 20249
November 202410
October 202410
September 202414
August 20242
July 20244
June 202422

High Crime Locations Epping Forest in May 2025

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

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total29
Public order11
Shoplifting6
Burglary6
Violence and sexual offences4
Possession of weapons1
Drugs1
2. Supermarket (Map)
Total22
Shoplifting18
Public order3
Robbery1
3. Shopping Area (Map)
Total18
Shoplifting14
Anti-social behaviour3
Burglary1
4. Supermarket (Map)
Total10
Shoplifting6
Other theft2
Robbery1
Burglary1
5. Murthering Lane (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences3
Vehicle crime3
Burglary3
6. A112 (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences3
Robbery3
Criminal damage and arson3

To know about postcode areas in Epping Forest, visit Epping Forest information

  • 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.