Crime in South Chafford: statistics, rates and trends
573 crimes were recorded in South Chafford in the 12 months to August 2026, 74.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and up 12% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- 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
- Demographics of South Chafford
- Questions about crime in South Chafford
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (177), vehicle crime (77) and anti-social behaviour (55) made up 54% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 2,032nd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lower half.
| Measure | South Chafford | Thurrock | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 573 | 18,319 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 74.8 | 101.2 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +12% | +5% | -1% |
| Population | 7,660 | 180,989 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in South Chafford peaked in the year to August 2020 (760 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2024 (498). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 11%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 573 | 74.8 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 511 | 66.7 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 498 | 65.0 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 560 | 73.1 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 549 | 71.7 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 743 | 97.0 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 760 | 99.2 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 714 | 93.2 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 642 | 83.8 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 54 |
| 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 |
Compared with England and Wales, South Chafford recorded notably more vehicle crime (2.0 times the national rate) and drugs (60% above the national rate), and notably less anti-social behaviour (53% below) and shoplifting (43% below). On the year before, shoplifting rose from 22 to 37 and public order rose from 31 to 43.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 177 | 23.1 | 34.2 | +4% |
| Vehicle crime | 77 | 10.1 | 5.0 | -12% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 55 | 7.2 | 15.4 | +10% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 44 | 5.7 | 6.7 | +22% |
| Public order | 43 | 5.6 | 6.7 | +39% |
| Drugs | 40 | 5.2 | 3.3 | +21% |
| Other theft | 39 | 5.1 | 6.4 | +3% |
| Shoplifting | 37 | 4.8 | 8.5 | +68% |
| Other crime | 13 | 1.7 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Robbery | 12 | 1.6 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Burglary | 11 | 1.4 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 10 | 1.3 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 8 | 1.0 | 1.7 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 7 | 0.9 | 1.0 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
5 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than South Chafford; the highest is West Thurrock and South Stifford (216.6 per 1,000) and the lowest Little Thurrock Rectory (64.2).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs South Chafford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chafford and North Stifford | 531 | 65.9 | -12% |
| West Thurrock and South Stifford | 3,180 | 216.6 | +190% |
| Grays Riverside | 2,244 | 163.3 | +118% |
| Belhus | 815 | 76.3 | +2% |
| Grays Thurrock | 897 | 87.6 | +17% |
| Stifford Clays | 476 | 70.2 | -6% |
| Aveley and Uplands | 996 | 90.2 | +21% |
| Little Thurrock Rectory | 425 | 64.2 | -14% |
The 10 locations below account for 61% of the crime recorded in South Chafford over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Francisco Close” (80).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Francisco Close | 80 |
| On or near Howard Road | 77 |
| On or near Burghley Road | 39 |
| On or near Parking Area | 36 |
| On or near Fleming Road | 33 |
| On or near Arterial Road North Stifford | 22 |
| On or near Flemming Road | 20 |
| On or near Plymouth Road | 16 |
| On or near Mary Rose Close | 14 |
| On or near Mayflower Road | 14 |
Of the 518 crimes in South Chafford with a recorded outcome, 44% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 5.8% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 55 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 226 | 43.6% | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 145 | 28.0% | 34.5% |
| Under investigation | 53 | 10.2% | 11.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 30 | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Local resolution | 20 | 3.9% | 3.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 16 | 3.1% | 4.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 9 | 1.7% | 1.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 7 | 1.4% | 2.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.8% | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.8% | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.8% | 0.6% |
South Chafford has an estimated population of 7,660 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has less social housing (1.0%, against 17.1%), a younger population (4.2%, against 18.9%) and fewer retired residents (6.0%, against 21.6%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up South Chafford average decile 8.6 (1 = most deprived), less deprived than average.
| Measure | South Chafford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 24.0% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 4.2% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 75.0% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 4.0% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 6.0% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 9.7% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 43.0% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 10.8% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 11.3% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 66.6% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 1.0% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 32.4% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.6 | 5.5 (England) |
Is South Chafford a safe place to live?
South Chafford recorded 74.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 2,032nd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were vehicle crime and drugs.
What is the most common crime in South Chafford?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 177 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by vehicle crime (77).
Is crime in South Chafford going up or down?
Recorded crime in South Chafford was up 12% on the year before: 573 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 511 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of South Chafford?
About 7,660 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 4.2% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers South Chafford?
South Chafford is policed by Essex.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.