Crime in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock: statistics, rates and trends
2,816 crimes were recorded in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock in the 12 months to August 2026, 135.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and up 19% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock at a glance
- Crime trends in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
- Types of crime in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
- Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
- Streets with the most crime in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
- What happened after crimes were reported in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
- Demographics of Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
- Questions about crime in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (762), shoplifting (674) and vehicle crime (281) made up 61% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 102nd of the 1,390 towns covered by this site (1 = highest), in the highest tenth.
| Measure | Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock | Thurrock | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 2,816 | 18,319 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 135.8 | 101.2 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +19% | +5% | -1% |
| Population | 20,735 | 180,989 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock peaked in the year to August 2019 (4,787 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2024 (2,360). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 36%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 2,816 | 135.8 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 2,361 | 113.9 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 2,360 | 113.8 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 3,882 | 187.2 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 4,297 | 207.2 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 4,110 | 198.2 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 4,203 | 202.7 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 4,787 | 230.9 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 4,420 | 213.2 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 281 |
| July 2026 | 220 |
| June 2026 | 233 |
| May 2026 | 229 |
| April 2026 | 246 |
| March 2026 | 257 |
| February 2026 | 232 |
| January 2026 | 233 |
| December 2025 | 251 |
| November 2025 | 226 |
| October 2025 | 208 |
| September 2025 | 200 |
Compared with England and Wales, Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded notably more shoplifting (3.8 times the national rate), vehicle crime (2.7 times the national rate) and drugs (80% above the national rate), and notably less burglary (42% below) and anti-social behaviour (21% below). On the year before, shoplifting rose from 420 to 674 and robbery rose from 26 to 41.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 762 | 36.7 | 34.2 | +16% |
| Shoplifting | 674 | 32.5 | 8.5 | +60% |
| Vehicle crime | 281 | 13.6 | 5.0 | -12% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 252 | 12.2 | 15.4 | +29% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 186 | 9.0 | 6.7 | -2% |
| Other theft | 175 | 8.4 | 6.4 | +1% |
| Public order | 149 | 7.2 | 6.7 | +18% |
| Drugs | 122 | 5.9 | 3.3 | +21% |
| Theft from the person | 46 | 2.2 | 1.7 | +18% |
| Burglary | 43 | 2.1 | 3.6 | +5% |
| Other crime | 43 | 2.1 | 2.1 | -4% |
| Robbery | 41 | 2.0 | 1.4 | +58% |
| Possession of weapons | 24 | 1.2 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 18 | 0.9 | 0.8 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock has a higher crime rate than all 8 of its nearest towns.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grays | 4,655 | 101.2 | -25% |
| South Ockendon | 1,969 | 84.2 | -38% |
| Aveley | 760 | 78.2 | -42% |
| Purfleet-on-Thames | 448 | 81.3 | -40% |
| Swanscombe | 1,476 | 92.6 | -32% |
| Stone (Dartford) | 381 | 70.8 | -48% |
| Ebbsfleet Valley | 378 | 50.9 | -62% |
| Chadwell St Mary | 1,159 | 107.0 | -21% |
Of the 3 areas within Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock, West Thurrock and South Stifford had the highest crime rate (216.6 per 1,000) and Chafford and North Stifford the lowest (65.9), 3 times apart.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Thurrock and South Stifford | Neighbourhood | 14,679 | 3,180 | 216.6 |
| South Chafford | Neighbourhood | 7,660 | 573 | 74.8 |
| Chafford and North Stifford | Neighbourhood | 8,054 | 531 | 65.9 |
The 10 locations below account for 54% of the crime recorded in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Shopping Area” (973).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 973 |
| On or near Parking Area | 103 |
| On or near Francisco Close | 80 |
| On or near Howard Road | 77 |
| On or near First Avenue | 62 |
| On or near Essex Road | 55 |
| On or near Heron Way | 54 |
| On or near Dove Close | 45 |
| On or near Bailey Close | 42 |
| On or near Ship Lane | 42 |
Of the 2,564 crimes in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock with a recorded outcome, 46% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 5.0% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 252 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 1,178 | 45.9% | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 641 | 25.0% | 34.5% |
| Under investigation | 249 | 9.7% | 11.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 129 | 5.0% | 5.2% |
| Local resolution | 111 | 4.3% | 3.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 88 | 3.4% | 2.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 66 | 2.6% | 4.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 47 | 1.8% | 1.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 27 | 1.1% | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 21 | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 6 | 0.2% | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.0% | 0.5% |
Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock has an estimated population of 20,735 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has a younger population (6.2%, against 18.9%), fewer retired residents (7.6%, against 21.6%) and less social housing (6.7%, against 17.1%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock average decile 6.8 (1 = most deprived), less deprived than average.
| Measure | Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 23.5% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 6.2% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 72.6% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 4.0% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 7.6% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 8.7% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 37.2% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 15.0% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 12.6% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 64.4% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 6.7% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 28.8% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.8 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock a safe place to live?
Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded 135.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 102nd of the 1,390 towns on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were shoplifting and vehicle crime.
What is the most common crime in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 762 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by shoplifting (674).
Is crime in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock going up or down?
Recorded crime in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock was up 19% on the year before: 2,816 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 2,361 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock?
About 20,735 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 6.2% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock?
Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock 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.