Crime in Epping Forest: statistics, rates and trends

10,436 crimes were recorded in Epping Forest in the 12 months to July 2026, 75.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 1% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,889 reports (37% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Epping Forest has the 200th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Epping Forest was highest in the year to July 2021 (14,733 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (10,289). Over the whole period it fell 24%, 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 Epping Forest 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. Rates were well above the national level for vehicle crime.

The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+18%) and possession of weapons (+17%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-29%) and bicycle theft (-23%).

Violence and sexual offences in Epping Forest

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Epping Forest recorded 3,889 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 37.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Epping Forest

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Epping Forest recorded 1,058 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Epping Forest

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Epping Forest recorded 1,035 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 9.9% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Epping Forest

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Epping Forest recorded 847 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Epping Forest

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Epping Forest recorded 739 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Epping Forest

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Epping Forest recorded 703 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Epping Forest

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Epping Forest recorded 698 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Epping Forest

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Epping Forest recorded 518 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Epping Forest

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Epping Forest recorded 466 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Epping Forest

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Epping Forest recorded 211 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Epping Forest

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Epping Forest recorded 98 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Epping Forest

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Epping Forest recorded 90 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Epping Forest

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Epping Forest recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Epping Forest

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Epping Forest recorded 23 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 23% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

32 areas within Epping Forest, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Waltham Abbey West had the highest rate (140.3 per 1,000) and Coopersale the lowest (43.4). 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 Epping Forest over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Epping Forest 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.

Epping Forest has an estimated population of 137,451. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Epping Forest sits in decile 6.8, less deprived than average. 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 Epping Forest. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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