Crime in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville: statistics, rates and trends
591 crimes were recorded in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville in the 12 months to August 2026, 73.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and up 66% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville at a glance
- Crime trends in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
- Types of crime in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
- South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
- What happened after crimes were reported in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
- Demographics of South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
- Questions about crime in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (204), shoplifting (164) and anti-social behaviour (46) made up 70% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 2,067th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lower half.
| Measure | South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville | Chelmsford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 591 | 15,908 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 73.8 | 84.3 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +66% | +9% | -1% |
| Population | 8,008 | 188,803 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville peaked in the year to August 2019 (695 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2025 (357). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it rose 13%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 591 | 73.8 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 357 | 44.6 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 456 | 56.9 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 563 | 70.3 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 583 | 72.8 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 640 | 79.9 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 607 | 75.8 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 695 | 86.8 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 521 | 65.1 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 61 |
| July 2026 | 61 |
| June 2026 | 48 |
| May 2026 | 41 |
| April 2026 | 50 |
| March 2026 | 66 |
| February 2026 | 81 |
| January 2026 | 42 |
| December 2025 | 44 |
| November 2025 | 36 |
| October 2025 | 40 |
| September 2025 | 21 |
Compared with England and Wales, South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville recorded notably more shoplifting (2.4 times the national rate), and notably less anti-social behaviour (63% below) and other theft (54% below). On the year before, shoplifting rose from 47 to 164 and anti-social behaviour rose from 29 to 46.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 204 | 25.5 | 34.2 | +30% |
| Shoplifting | 164 | 20.5 | 8.5 | +249% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 46 | 5.7 | 15.4 | +59% |
| Public order | 42 | 5.2 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Criminal damage and arson | 38 | 4.7 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Drugs | 25 | 3.1 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Other theft | 24 | 3.0 | 6.4 | 0% |
| Vehicle crime | 17 | 2.1 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Burglary | 8 | 1.0 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Other crime | 8 | 1.0 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Robbery | 6 | 0.7 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 4 | 0.5 | 1.7 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 3 | 0.4 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.2 | 1.0 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville has a higher crime rate than all 8 of its nearest neighbourhoods.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Woodham-Chetwood and Collingwood | 213 | 27.1 | -63% |
| Rettendon and Runwell | 492 | 67.7 | -8% |
| Bicknacre and East and West Hanningfield | 242 | 42.7 | -42% |
| Little Baddow, Danbury and Sandon | 368 | 45.0 | -39% |
| South Hanningfield, Stock and Margaretting | 385 | 66.3 | -10% |
| Great Baddow East | 511 | 58.3 | -21% |
| Galleywood | 404 | 71.2 | -4% |
| Great Baddow West | 394 | 60.6 | -18% |
The 10 locations below account for 66% of the crime recorded in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Willow Grove” (132).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Willow Grove | 132 |
| On or near Reeves Way | 72 |
| On or near Supermarket | 46 |
| On or near Squire Street | 44 |
| On or near Parking Area | 27 |
| On or near Trinity Row | 23 |
| On or near The Tabrums | 16 |
| On or near Victoria Road | 11 |
| On or near Coral Close | 10 |
| On or near The Cedars | 10 |
Of the 545 crimes in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville with a recorded outcome, 29% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 18% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 46 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 159 | 29.2% | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 146 | 26.8% | 34.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 97 | 17.8% | 5.2% |
| Under investigation | 49 | 9.0% | 11.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 30 | 5.5% | 0.3% |
| Local resolution | 25 | 4.6% | 3.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 14 | 2.6% | 4.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 11 | 2.0% | 1.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 9 | 1.7% | 2.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.4% | 0.6% |
South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville has an estimated population of 8,008 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has less social housing (2.6%, against 17.1%), fewer households without a car (9.4%, against 23.3%) and fewer students (4.6%, against 7.9%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville average decile 7.9 (1 = most deprived), less deprived than average.
| Measure | South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.4% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 22.8% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 61.8% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.6% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 25.4% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 4.6% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 24.9% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 15.8% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 9.4% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 81.6% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 2.6% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 15.7% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.9 | 5.5 (England) |
Is South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville a safe place to live?
South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville recorded 73.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 2,067th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were shoplifting.
What is the most common crime in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 204 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by shoplifting (164).
Is crime in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville going up or down?
Recorded crime in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville was up 66% on the year before: 591 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 357 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville?
About 8,008 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 23% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville?
South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville 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.