Crime in Broomfield and The Walthams: statistics, rates and trends
1,044 crimes were recorded in Broomfield and The Walthams in the 12 months to July 2026, 82.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Broomfield and The Walthams at a glance
- Crime trends in Broomfield and The Walthams
- Types of crime in Broomfield and The Walthams
- Broomfield and The Walthams compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Broomfield and The Walthams
- What happened after crimes were reported in Broomfield and The Walthams
- Population and deprivation in Broomfield and The Walthams
- Questions about crime in Broomfield and The Walthams
- About this data
1,044 crimes were recorded in Broomfield and The Walthams in the 12 months to July 2026, 82.3 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 543 reports (52% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Broomfield and The Walthams has the 1,762nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Broomfield and The Walthams | Chelmsford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,044 | 15,643 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 82.3 | 82.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -3% | +7% | -1% |
| Population | 12,684 | 188,803 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Broomfield and The Walthams was highest in the year to July 2023 (1,259 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (884). Over the whole period it rose 18%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 1,044 | 82.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,071 | 84.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,249 | 98.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,259 | 99.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,199 | 94.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,195 | 94.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,188 | 93.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 989 | 78.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 884 | 69.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 101 |
| June 2026 | 104 |
| May 2026 | 97 |
| April 2026 | 94 |
| March 2026 | 94 |
| February 2026 | 74 |
| January 2026 | 82 |
| December 2025 | 70 |
| November 2025 | 64 |
| October 2025 | 108 |
| September 2025 | 72 |
| August 2025 | 84 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Broomfield and The Walthams 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 violence and sexual offences.
The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+48%) and public order (+32%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-70%) and drugs (-24%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 543 | 42.8 | 1.25 | -3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 86 | 6.8 | 0.44 | +48% |
| Public order | 83 | 6.5 | 0.98 | +32% |
| Other theft | 74 | 5.8 | 0.91 | -4% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 69 | 5.4 | 0.80 | -14% |
| Vehicle crime | 67 | 5.3 | 1.07 | +6% |
| Burglary | 43 | 3.4 | 0.96 | +23% |
| Shoplifting | 22 | 1.7 | 0.21 | -70% |
| Drugs | 16 | 1.3 | 0.39 | -24% |
| Other crime | 13 | 1.0 | 0.49 | -7% |
| Bicycle theft | 10 | 0.8 | 0.96 | +100% |
| Theft from the person | 8 | 0.6 | 0.37 | +33% |
| Possession of weapons | 7 | 0.6 | 0.57 | -30% |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.2 | 0.18 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Broomfield and The Walthams
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Broomfield and The Walthams recorded 543 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (42.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 52.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Broomfield and The Walthams
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Broomfield and The Walthams recorded 86 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 48% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Broomfield and The Walthams
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Broomfield and The Walthams recorded 83 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Broomfield and The Walthams
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Broomfield and The Walthams recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Broomfield and The Walthams
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Broomfield and The Walthams recorded 69 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Broomfield and The Walthams
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Broomfield and The Walthams recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Broomfield and The Walthams
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Broomfield and The Walthams recorded 43 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 up 23% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Broomfield and The Walthams
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Broomfield and The Walthams recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 70% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Broomfield and The Walthams
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Broomfield and The Walthams recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Broomfield and The Walthams
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Broomfield and The Walthams recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Broomfield and The Walthams
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Broomfield and The Walthams recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Broomfield and The Walthams
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Broomfield and The Walthams recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Broomfield and The Walthams
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Broomfield and The Walthams recorded 7 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 down 30% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Broomfield and The Walthams
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Broomfield and The Walthams recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Broomfield and The Walthams, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Broomfield and The Walthams.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Broomfield and The Walthams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield North | 581 | 51.7 | -37% |
| Patching Hall | 669 | 72.4 | -12% |
| The Lawns | 197 | 34.9 | -58% |
| St Andrews | 790 | 83.6 | +2% |
| Marconi | 1,245 | 133.4 | +62% |
| Boreham and The Leighs | 527 | 72.2 | -12% |
| Trinity | 524 | 78.8 | -4% |
| Chelmer Village and Beaulieu Park | 888 | 83.2 | +1% |
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 Broomfield and The Walthams over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Hospital | 196 |
| On or near Puddings Wood Drive | 122 |
| On or near Niblick Green | 58 |
| On or near Park/Open Space | 49 |
| On or near North Court Road | 33 |
| On or near Church Avenue | 26 |
| On or near Moortown Place | 23 |
| On or near Ashford Place | 22 |
| On or near Fitch Close | 22 |
| On or near Regiment Gate | 19 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Broomfield and The Walthams 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 442 | 42.3% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 282 | 27.0% |
| Under investigation | 100 | 9.6% |
| Not recorded | 86 | 8.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 46 | 4.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 35 | 3.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 25 | 2.4% |
| Local resolution | 10 | 1.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 7 | 0.7% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 7 | 0.7% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.2% |
Broomfield and The Walthams has an estimated population of 12,684. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Broomfield and The Walthams sits in decile 6.3, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Broomfield and The Walthams |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 23.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 71.8% |
| Social rented homes | 18.5% |
| Private rented homes | 9.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.3 |
Is Broomfield and The Walthams a safe place to live?
Broomfield and The Walthams recorded 82.3 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Broomfield and The Walthams?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 543 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (86).
Is crime in Broomfield and The Walthams going up or down?
Recorded crime in Broomfield and The Walthams was down 3% on the year before: 1,044 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,071 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Broomfield and The Walthams?
Broomfield and The Walthams is policed by Essex. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 Broomfield and The Walthams. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.