Crime in Braintree: statistics, rates and trends

3,324 crimes were recorded in Braintree in the 12 months to July 2026, 79.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,483 reports (45% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Braintree has the 635th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Braintree was highest in the year to July 2020 (5,158 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (3,324). 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Braintree 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 shoplifting (+23%) and possession of weapons (+23%).

The largest falls were in theft from the person (-21%) and drugs (-20%).

Violence and sexual offences in Braintree

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Braintree recorded 1,483 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 44.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Braintree

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Braintree recorded 331 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 10.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Braintree

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Braintree recorded 311 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 9.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Braintree

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Braintree recorded 249 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Braintree

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Braintree recorded 218 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Braintree

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Braintree recorded 212 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Braintree

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Braintree recorded 145 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Braintree

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Braintree recorded 136 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Braintree

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Braintree recorded 84 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Braintree

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Braintree recorded 60 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Braintree

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Braintree recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Braintree

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Braintree recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Braintree

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Braintree recorded 22 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 21% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Braintree

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Braintree recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Braintree, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Braintree.

6 areas within Braintree, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Braintree Central & Beckers Green had the highest rate (132.7 per 1,000) and Braintree West the lowest (28.7). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Braintree over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Braintree 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.

Braintree has an estimated population of 42,081. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Braintree sits in decile 5.6, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Braintree. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.