Crime in South Chafford: statistics, rates and trends
566 crimes were recorded in South Chafford in the 12 months to July 2026, 73.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 13% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in South Chafford at a glance
- Crime trends in South Chafford
- Types of crime in South Chafford
- South Chafford compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in South Chafford
- What happened after crimes were reported in South Chafford
- Population and deprivation in South Chafford
- Questions about crime in South Chafford
- About this data
566 crimes were recorded in South Chafford in the 12 months to July 2026, 73.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 13% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 169 reports (30% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, South Chafford has the 2,066th highest crime rate.
| Measure | South Chafford | Thurrock | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 566 | 18,082 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 73.9 | 99.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +13% | +4% | -1% |
| Population | 7,660 | 180,989 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in South Chafford was highest in the year to July 2021 (754 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (500). Over the whole period it fell 12%, 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 | 566 | 73.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 500 | 65.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 512 | 66.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 565 | 73.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 548 | 71.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 754 | 98.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 743 | 97.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 718 | 93.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 645 | 84.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 52 |
| June 2026 | 47 |
| May 2026 | 51 |
| April 2026 | 38 |
| March 2026 | 49 |
| February 2026 | 39 |
| January 2026 | 48 |
| December 2025 | 46 |
| November 2025 | 48 |
| October 2025 | 55 |
| September 2025 | 46 |
| August 2025 | 47 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in South Chafford 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, drugs, bicycle theft.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+81%) and criminal damage and arson (+58%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-20%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 169 | 22.1 | 0.64 | +3% |
| Vehicle crime | 72 | 9.4 | 1.91 | -20% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 56 | 7.3 | 0.48 | +10% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 49 | 6.4 | 0.94 | +58% |
| Public order | 43 | 5.6 | 0.84 | +34% |
| Drugs | 38 | 5.0 | 1.52 | +23% |
| Other theft | 38 | 5.0 | 0.78 | -3% |
| Shoplifting | 38 | 5.0 | 0.60 | +81% |
| Other crime | 15 | 2.0 | 0.93 | +25% |
| Robbery | 12 | 1.6 | 1.16 | +9% |
| Burglary | 11 | 1.4 | 0.41 | +267% |
| Bicycle theft | 10 | 1.3 | 1.59 | +233% |
| Theft from the person | 8 | 1.0 | 0.62 | +33% |
| Possession of weapons | 7 | 0.9 | 0.94 | +17% |
Violence and sexual offences in South Chafford
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South Chafford recorded 169 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 29.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in South Chafford
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South Chafford recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 12.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in South Chafford
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South Chafford recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 9.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in South Chafford
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South Chafford recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 58% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in South Chafford
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South Chafford recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 34% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in South Chafford
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South Chafford recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in South Chafford
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South Chafford recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in South Chafford
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South Chafford recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 81% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in South Chafford
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South Chafford recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in South Chafford
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South Chafford recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in South Chafford
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South Chafford recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 267% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in South Chafford
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. South Chafford recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 233% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in South Chafford
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South Chafford recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in South Chafford
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South Chafford recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to South Chafford, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to South Chafford.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs South Chafford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chafford and North Stifford | 538 | 66.8 | -10% |
| West Thurrock and South Stifford | 3,156 | 215.0 | +191% |
| Grays Riverside | 2,251 | 163.8 | +122% |
| Belhus | 797 | 74.6 | +1% |
| Grays Thurrock | 834 | 81.5 | +10% |
| Stifford Clays | 454 | 67.0 | -9% |
| Aveley and Uplands | 979 | 88.6 | +20% |
| Little Thurrock Rectory | 437 | 66.0 | -11% |
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 South Chafford over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Francisco Close | 78 |
| On or near Howard Road | 72 |
| On or near Burghley Road | 43 |
| On or near Fleming Road | 35 |
| On or near Parking Area | 33 |
| On or near Arterial Road North Stifford | 21 |
| On or near Plymouth Road | 19 |
| On or near Flemming Road | 18 |
| On or near Lennox Close | 15 |
| On or near Southwell Close | 14 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South Chafford 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 | 227 | 40.1% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 142 | 25.1% |
| Not recorded | 56 | 9.9% |
| Under investigation | 41 | 7.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 33 | 5.8% |
| Local resolution | 20 | 3.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 17 | 3.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 8 | 1.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 8 | 1.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 6 | 1.1% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 3 | 0.5% |
South Chafford has an estimated population of 7,660. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South Chafford sits in decile 8.6, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | South Chafford |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 24.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 71.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 4.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 66.6% |
| Social rented homes | 1.0% |
| Private rented homes | 32.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.6 |
Is South Chafford a safe place to live?
South Chafford recorded 73.9 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 South Chafford?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 169 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by vehicle crime (72).
Is crime in South Chafford going up or down?
Recorded crime in South Chafford was up 13% on the year before: 566 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 500 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers South Chafford?
South Chafford 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 South Chafford. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.