Crime in Braintree district: statistics, rates and trends

10,070 crimes were recorded in Braintree district in the 12 months to July 2026, 61.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,530 reports (45% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Braintree district has the 256th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Braintree district was highest in the year to July 2021 (14,208 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (10,070). Over the whole period it fell 20%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Braintree district over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in robbery (+114%).

The largest falls were in theft from the person (-33%) and shoplifting (-23%).

Violence and sexual offences in Braintree district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Braintree district recorded 4,530 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 45.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Braintree district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Braintree district recorded 1,049 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Braintree district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Braintree district recorded 771 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Braintree district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Braintree district recorded 738 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Braintree district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Braintree district recorded 708 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Braintree district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Braintree district recorded 579 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Braintree district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Braintree district recorded 478 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Braintree district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Braintree district recorded 366 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Braintree district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Braintree district recorded 335 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Braintree district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Braintree district recorded 257 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Braintree district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Braintree district recorded 102 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Braintree district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Braintree district recorded 90 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 114% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Braintree district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Braintree district recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Braintree district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Braintree district recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to Braintree district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Braintree district.

42 areas within Braintree district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Braintree Central & Beckers Green had the highest rate (132.7 per 1,000) and Stour Valley North the lowest (28.6). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Braintree district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Braintree district over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Braintree district has an estimated population of 164,304. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Braintree district sits in decile 6.0, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Braintree district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.