Crime in Witham South: statistics, rates and trends
415 crimes were recorded in Witham South in the 12 months to July 2026, 51.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Witham South at a glance
- Crime trends in Witham South
- Types of crime in Witham South
- Witham South compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Witham South
- What happened after crimes were reported in Witham South
- Population and deprivation in Witham South
- Questions about crime in Witham South
- About this data
415 crimes were recorded in Witham South in the 12 months to July 2026, 51.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 218 reports (53% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Witham South has the 2,987th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Witham South | Braintree | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 415 | 10,070 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 51.0 | 61.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -1% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 8,142 | 164,304 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Witham South was highest in the year to July 2021 (638 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (415). Over the whole period it fell 8%, 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 | 415 | 51.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 418 | 51.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 427 | 52.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 463 | 56.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 608 | 74.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 638 | 78.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 514 | 63.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 453 | 55.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 453 | 55.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 51 |
| June 2026 | 43 |
| May 2026 | 41 |
| April 2026 | 22 |
| March 2026 | 36 |
| February 2026 | 23 |
| January 2026 | 30 |
| December 2025 | 22 |
| November 2025 | 30 |
| October 2025 | 35 |
| September 2025 | 31 |
| August 2025 | 51 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Witham South 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. The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+41%) and violence and sexual offences (+13%).
The largest falls were in shoplifting (-88%) and criminal damage and arson (-24%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 218 | 26.8 | 0.78 | +13% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 38 | 4.7 | 0.30 | +41% |
| Public order | 28 | 3.4 | 0.52 | +4% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 26 | 3.2 | 0.47 | -24% |
| Other theft | 25 | 3.1 | 0.48 | +47% |
| Vehicle crime | 23 | 2.8 | 0.57 | +5% |
| Burglary | 15 | 1.8 | 0.52 | +15% |
| Drugs | 15 | 1.8 | 0.56 | +0% |
| Other crime | 13 | 1.6 | 0.76 | -7% |
| Shoplifting | 6 | 0.7 | 0.09 | -88% |
| Bicycle theft | 3 | 0.4 | 0.45 | +200% |
| Possession of weapons | 3 | 0.4 | 0.38 | +50% |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.2 | 0.18 | +100% |
Violence and sexual offences in Witham South
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Witham South recorded 218 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 52.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Witham South
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Witham South recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 41% on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Witham South
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Witham South recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Witham South
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Witham South recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Witham South
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Witham South recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 47% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Witham South
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Witham South recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Witham South
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Witham South recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Witham South
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Witham South recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Witham South
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Witham South recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Witham South
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Witham South recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 88% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Witham South
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Witham South recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Witham South
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Witham South recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Witham South
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Witham South recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Witham South, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Witham South.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Witham South |
|---|---|---|---|
| Witham Central | 795 | 121.3 | +138% |
| Witham West | 493 | 72.1 | +42% |
| Witham North | 477 | 73.1 | +43% |
| Hatfield Peverel & Terling | 402 | 59.7 | +17% |
| Silver End & Cressing | 738 | 72.0 | +41% |
| Kelvedon & Feering | 261 | 45.6 | -11% |
| Coggeshall | 249 | 45.6 | -11% |
| Braintree South | 409 | 62.0 | +22% |
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 South over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Stoneham Close | 29 |
| On or near Collar Way | 20 |
| On or near Tudor Close | 20 |
| On or near Allectus Way | 19 |
| On or near Benton Close | 17 |
| On or near Laurence Avenue | 16 |
| On or near Pinkham Drive | 16 |
| On or near Hatfield Road | 14 |
| On or near Wickham Road | 12 |
| On or near Britten Crescent | 11 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Witham South 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 156 | 37.6% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 111 | 26.7% |
| Not recorded | 38 | 9.2% |
| Under investigation | 30 | 7.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 23 | 5.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 18 | 4.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 15 | 3.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 9 | 2.2% |
| Local resolution | 7 | 1.7% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.5% |
Witham South has an estimated population of 8,142. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Witham South sits in decile 6.9, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Witham South |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 22.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 63.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 13.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 67.2% |
| Social rented homes | 17.4% |
| Private rented homes | 15.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.9 |
Is Witham South a safe place to live?
Witham South recorded 51.0 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 Witham South?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 218 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (38).
Is crime in Witham South going up or down?
Recorded crime in Witham South was almost unchanged on the year before: 415 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 418 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Witham South?
Witham South 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 South. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.