Crime in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville: statistics, rates and trends
569 crimes were recorded in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville in the 12 months to July 2026, 71.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 64% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- 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
- Population and deprivation in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
- Questions about crime in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
- About this data
569 crimes were recorded in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville in the 12 months to July 2026, 71.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 64% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 205 reports (36% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville has the 2,185th highest crime rate.
| Measure | South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville | Chelmsford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 569 | 15,643 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 71.1 | 82.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +64% | +7% | -1% |
| Population | 8,008 | 188,803 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville was highest in the year to July 2019 (677 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (346). Over the whole period it rose 9%, 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 | 569 | 71.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 346 | 43.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 465 | 58.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 573 | 71.6 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 589 | 73.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 632 | 78.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 620 | 77.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 677 | 84.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 522 | 65.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| August 2025 | 39 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville 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 shoplifting.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+198%) and criminal damage and arson (+100%). 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 | 205 | 25.6 | 0.75 | +40% |
| Shoplifting | 137 | 17.1 | 2.06 | +198% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 47 | 5.9 | 0.38 | +68% |
| Public order | 41 | 5.1 | 0.77 | +116% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 40 | 5.0 | 0.74 | +100% |
| Other theft | 29 | 3.6 | 0.57 | +71% |
| Drugs | 25 | 3.1 | 0.95 | +25% |
| Vehicle crime | 16 | 2.0 | 0.41 | -20% |
| Burglary | 8 | 1.0 | 0.28 | -33% |
| Robbery | 7 | 0.9 | 0.65 | +250% |
| Other crime | 6 | 0.7 | 0.35 | +20% |
| Theft from the person | 4 | 0.5 | 0.30 | +100% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.2 | 0.30 | -60% |
| Possession of weapons | 2 | 0.2 | 0.26 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville recorded 205 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 36.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville recorded 137 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 198% on the year before. It made up 24.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville recorded 47 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 68% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 116% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 71% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 250% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 60% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Woodham-Chetwood and Collingwood | 216 | 27.5 | -61% |
| Rettendon and Runwell | 481 | 66.2 | -7% |
| Bicknacre and East and West Hanningfield | 233 | 41.1 | -42% |
| Little Baddow, Danbury and Sandon | 394 | 48.2 | -32% |
| South Hanningfield, Stock and Margaretting | 396 | 68.2 | -4% |
| Great Baddow East | 517 | 59.0 | -17% |
| Galleywood | 417 | 73.5 | +3% |
| Great Baddow West | 371 | 57.1 | -20% |
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 Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Willow Grove | 107 |
| On or near Reeves Way | 72 |
| On or near Squire Street | 48 |
| On or near Supermarket | 43 |
| On or near Parking Area | 31 |
| On or near Trinity Row | 20 |
| On or near The Tabrums | 16 |
| On or near The Cedars | 12 |
| On or near Abbotsleigh Road | 11 |
| On or near Coral Close | 11 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville 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 | 156 | 27.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 148 | 26.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 90 | 15.8% |
| Not recorded | 47 | 8.3% |
| Under investigation | 34 | 6.0% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 29 | 5.1% |
| Local resolution | 26 | 4.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 14 | 2.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 13 | 2.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 7 | 1.2% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.4% |
South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville has an estimated population of 8,008. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville sits in decile 7.9, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 22.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 81.6% |
| Social rented homes | 2.6% |
| Private rented homes | 15.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.9 |
Is South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville a safe place to live?
South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville recorded 71.1 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 Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 205 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (137).
Is crime in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville going up or down?
Recorded crime in South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville was up 64% on the year before: 569 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 346 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville?
South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville 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 Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.