Crime in Witham Central: statistics, rates and trends
795 crimes were recorded in Witham Central in the 12 months to July 2026, 121.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 16% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Witham Central at a glance
- Crime trends in Witham Central
- Types of crime in Witham Central
- Witham Central compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Witham Central
- What happened after crimes were reported in Witham Central
- Population and deprivation in Witham Central
- Questions about crime in Witham Central
- About this data
795 crimes were recorded in Witham Central in the 12 months to July 2026, 121.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 16% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 327 reports (41% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Witham Central has the 815th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Witham Central | Braintree | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 795 | 10,070 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 121.3 | 61.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -16% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 6,554 | 164,304 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Witham Central was highest in the year to July 2018 (1,072 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (795). Over the whole period it fell 26%, 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 | 795 | 121.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 951 | 145.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 910 | 138.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 861 | 131.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,027 | 156.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,051 | 160.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,056 | 161.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,016 | 155.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,072 | 163.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 73 |
| June 2026 | 69 |
| May 2026 | 67 |
| April 2026 | 74 |
| March 2026 | 72 |
| February 2026 | 62 |
| January 2026 | 47 |
| December 2025 | 69 |
| November 2025 | 55 |
| October 2025 | 68 |
| September 2025 | 77 |
| August 2025 | 62 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Witham 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, other theft, public order.
The largest increases were in burglary (+22%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-63%) and criminal damage and arson (-25%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 327 | 49.9 | 1.46 | -1% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 85 | 13.0 | 0.85 | -22% |
| Other theft | 71 | 10.8 | 1.69 | +3% |
| Public order | 64 | 9.8 | 1.47 | -12% |
| Shoplifting | 61 | 9.3 | 1.12 | -63% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 56 | 8.5 | 1.26 | -25% |
| Vehicle crime | 30 | 4.6 | 0.93 | -12% |
| Burglary | 28 | 4.3 | 1.21 | +22% |
| Drugs | 28 | 4.3 | 1.31 | -3% |
| Other crime | 20 | 3.1 | 1.45 | +5% |
| Possession of weapons | 9 | 1.4 | 1.41 | -10% |
| Robbery | 8 | 1.2 | 0.90 | +14% |
| Bicycle theft | 5 | 0.8 | 0.93 | +25% |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.5 | 0.27 | -40% |
Violence and sexual offences in Witham Central
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Witham Central recorded 327 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (49.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 41.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Witham Central
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Witham Central recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 10.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Witham Central
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Witham Central recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 8.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Witham Central
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Witham Central recorded 64 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Witham Central
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Witham Central recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 63% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Witham Central
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Witham Central recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Witham Central
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Witham Central recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Witham Central
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Witham Central recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Witham Central
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Witham Central recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Witham Central
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Witham Central recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Witham Central
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Witham Central recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Witham Central
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Witham Central recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Witham Central
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Witham Central recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Witham Central
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Witham Central recorded 3 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 down 40% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Witham Central, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Witham Central.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Witham Central |
|---|---|---|---|
| Witham South | 415 | 51.0 | -58% |
| Witham West | 493 | 72.1 | -41% |
| Witham North | 477 | 73.1 | -40% |
| Hatfield Peverel & Terling | 402 | 59.7 | -51% |
| Silver End & Cressing | 738 | 72.0 | -41% |
| Kelvedon & Feering | 261 | 45.6 | -62% |
| Coggeshall | 249 | 45.6 | -62% |
| Braintree South | 409 | 62.0 | -49% |
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 Witham Central over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 99 |
| On or near Coach House Way | 55 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 53 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 42 |
| On or near B1389 | 37 |
| On or near Supermarket | 27 |
| On or near Spinks Lane | 20 |
| On or near Turstan Road | 18 |
| On or near Lawn Chase | 17 |
| On or near Newland Street | 17 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Witham 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 | 275 | 34.6% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 242 | 30.4% |
| Not recorded | 85 | 10.7% |
| Under investigation | 74 | 9.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 26 | 3.3% |
| Local resolution | 24 | 3.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 23 | 2.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 23 | 2.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 11 | 1.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 9 | 1.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.1% |
Witham Central has an estimated population of 6,554. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Witham Central sits in decile 4.9, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Witham Central |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 63.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 19.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 55.7% |
| Social rented homes | 19.3% |
| Private rented homes | 25.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.9 |
Is Witham Central a safe place to live?
Witham Central recorded 121.3 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 Witham Central?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 327 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (85).
Is crime in Witham Central going up or down?
Recorded crime in Witham Central was down 16% on the year before: 795 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 951 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Witham Central?
Witham 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 Witham Central. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.