Crime in Moulsham and Central: statistics, rates and trends
3,977 crimes were recorded in Moulsham and Central in the 12 months to July 2026, 255.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Moulsham and Central at a glance
- Crime trends in Moulsham and Central
- Types of crime in Moulsham and Central
- Moulsham and Central compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Moulsham and Central
- What happened after crimes were reported in Moulsham and Central
- Population and deprivation in Moulsham and Central
- Questions about crime in Moulsham and Central
- About this data
3,977 crimes were recorded in Moulsham and Central in the 12 months to July 2026, 255.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,471 reports (37% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Moulsham and Central has the 114th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Moulsham and Central | Chelmsford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 3,977 | 15,643 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 255.8 | 82.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +5% | +7% | -1% |
| Population | 15,549 | 188,803 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Moulsham and Central was highest in the year to July 2019 (4,761 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (3,738). Over the whole period it fell 4%, 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 | 3,977 | 255.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 3,791 | 243.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 4,014 | 258.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 4,067 | 261.6 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 4,323 | 278.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 3,738 | 240.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 4,507 | 289.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 4,761 | 306.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 4,150 | 266.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 421 |
| June 2026 | 368 |
| May 2026 | 339 |
| April 2026 | 334 |
| March 2026 | 356 |
| February 2026 | 282 |
| January 2026 | 281 |
| December 2025 | 326 |
| November 2025 | 307 |
| October 2025 | 330 |
| September 2025 | 315 |
| August 2025 | 318 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Moulsham and Central 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, shoplifting, anti-social behaviour.
The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+35%) and shoplifting (+19%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-30%) and vehicle crime (-26%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,471 | 94.6 | 2.76 | +6% |
| Shoplifting | 688 | 44.2 | 5.34 | +19% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 413 | 26.6 | 1.73 | +35% |
| Public order | 310 | 19.9 | 3.00 | -17% |
| Drugs | 258 | 16.6 | 5.08 | +16% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 225 | 14.5 | 2.13 | +9% |
| Other theft | 207 | 13.3 | 2.08 | -14% |
| Bicycle theft | 65 | 4.2 | 5.08 | -13% |
| Other crime | 65 | 4.2 | 1.98 | -17% |
| Vehicle crime | 64 | 4.1 | 0.84 | -26% |
| Burglary | 61 | 3.9 | 1.11 | +13% |
| Theft from the person | 57 | 3.7 | 2.17 | -30% |
| Robbery | 48 | 3.1 | 2.29 | +7% |
| Possession of weapons | 45 | 2.9 | 2.98 | -21% |
Violence and sexual offences in Moulsham and Central
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Moulsham and Central recorded 1,471 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (94.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 37.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Moulsham and Central
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Moulsham and Central recorded 688 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (44.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 17.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Moulsham and Central
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Moulsham and Central recorded 413 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 10.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Moulsham and Central
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Moulsham and Central recorded 310 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Moulsham and Central
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Moulsham and Central recorded 258 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Moulsham and Central
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Moulsham and Central recorded 225 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Moulsham and Central
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Moulsham and Central recorded 207 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Moulsham and Central
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Moulsham and Central recorded 65 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Moulsham and Central
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Moulsham and Central recorded 65 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Moulsham and Central
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Moulsham and Central recorded 64 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Moulsham and Central
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Moulsham and Central recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Moulsham and Central
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Moulsham and Central recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Moulsham and Central
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Moulsham and Central recorded 48 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Moulsham and Central
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Moulsham and Central recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Moulsham and Central, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Moulsham and Central.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Moulsham and Central |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moulsham Lodge | 197 | 34.9 | -86% |
| Waterhouse Farm | 660 | 96.3 | -62% |
| Marconi | 1,245 | 133.4 | -48% |
| Trinity | 524 | 78.8 | -69% |
| Goat Hall | 251 | 41.3 | -84% |
| Great Baddow West | 371 | 57.1 | -78% |
| Great Baddow East | 517 | 59.0 | -77% |
| The Lawns | 197 | 34.9 | -86% |
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 Moulsham and Central over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Nightclub | 670 |
| On or near Parking Area | 620 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 491 |
| On or near Park Road | 308 |
| On or near Tindal Square | 267 |
| On or near Police Station | 259 |
| On or near Tindal Street | 124 |
| On or near Supermarket | 112 |
| On or near Bellmead | 92 |
| On or near Friars Walk | 79 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Moulsham and Central 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 1,169 | 29.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 1,124 | 28.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 417 | 10.5% |
| Not recorded | 413 | 10.4% |
| Under investigation | 293 | 7.4% |
| Local resolution | 195 | 4.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 193 | 4.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 72 | 1.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 34 | 0.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 33 | 0.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 31 | 0.8% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.1% |
Moulsham and Central has an estimated population of 15,549. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Moulsham and Central sits in decile 6.9, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Moulsham and Central |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 70.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 12.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 54.2% |
| Social rented homes | 9.4% |
| Private rented homes | 36.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.9 |
Is Moulsham and Central a safe place to live?
Moulsham and Central recorded 255.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher 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 Moulsham and Central?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,471 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (688).
Is crime in Moulsham and Central going up or down?
Recorded crime in Moulsham and Central was up 5% on the year before: 3,977 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 3,791 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Moulsham and Central?
Moulsham and Central 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 Moulsham and Central. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.