Crime in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock: statistics, rates and trends
2,735 crimes were recorded in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock in the 12 months to July 2026, 131.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 16% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- 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
- Population and deprivation in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
- Questions about crime in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
- About this data
2,735 crimes were recorded in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock in the 12 months to July 2026, 131.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 16% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 739 reports (27% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock has the 117th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock | Thurrock | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,735 | 18,082 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 131.9 | 99.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +16% | +4% | -1% |
| Population | 20,735 | 180,989 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock was highest in the year to July 2019 (4,799 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (2,363). Over the whole period it fell 39%, 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 | 2,735 | 131.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,363 | 114.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,407 | 116.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 3,989 | 192.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 4,330 | 208.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 4,103 | 197.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 4,169 | 201.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 4,799 | 231.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 4,468 | 215.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| August 2025 | 200 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock 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, vehicle crime, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+55%) and robbery (+50%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-21%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 739 | 35.6 | 1.04 | +15% |
| Shoplifting | 645 | 31.1 | 3.75 | +55% |
| Vehicle crime | 258 | 12.4 | 2.53 | -21% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 239 | 11.5 | 0.75 | +10% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 189 | 9.1 | 1.34 | +4% |
| Other theft | 172 | 8.3 | 1.30 | -2% |
| Public order | 150 | 7.2 | 1.09 | +9% |
| Drugs | 123 | 5.9 | 1.81 | +32% |
| Theft from the person | 48 | 2.3 | 1.37 | +26% |
| Other crime | 46 | 2.2 | 1.05 | +10% |
| Burglary | 43 | 2.1 | 0.59 | +13% |
| Robbery | 42 | 2.0 | 1.50 | +50% |
| Possession of weapons | 23 | 1.1 | 1.14 | +28% |
| Bicycle theft | 18 | 0.9 | 1.05 | +125% |
Violence and sexual offences in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded 739 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 27.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded 645 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 55% on the year before. It made up 23.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded 258 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 9.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded 239 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded 189 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded 172 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded 150 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded 123 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded 48 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 125% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grays | 4,549 | 98.9 | -25% |
| South Ockendon | 1,956 | 83.7 | -37% |
| Aveley | 775 | 79.7 | -40% |
| Purfleet-on-Thames | 453 | 82.2 | -38% |
| Swanscombe | 1,501 | 94.1 | -29% |
| Stone (Dartford) | 387 | 71.9 | -45% |
| Ebbsfleet Valley | 386 | 52.0 | -61% |
| Chadwell St Mary | 1,118 | 103.2 | -22% |
3 areas within Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. West Thurrock and South Stifford had the highest rate (215.0 per 1,000) and Chafford and North Stifford the lowest (66.8). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Thurrock and South Stifford | Neighbourhood | 14,679 | 3,156 | 215.0 |
| South Chafford | Neighbourhood | 7,660 | 566 | 73.9 |
| Chafford and North Stifford | Neighbourhood | 8,054 | 538 | 66.8 |
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 Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 949 |
| On or near Parking Area | 96 |
| On or near Francisco Close | 78 |
| On or near Howard Road | 72 |
| On or near First Avenue | 67 |
| On or near Heron Way | 50 |
| On or near Essex Road | 46 |
| On or near Dove Close | 45 |
| On or near Burghley Road | 43 |
| On or near Ship Lane | 41 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock 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 | 1,161 | 42.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 634 | 23.2% |
| Not recorded | 239 | 8.7% |
| Under investigation | 195 | 7.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 153 | 5.6% |
| Local resolution | 111 | 4.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 69 | 2.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 66 | 2.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 48 | 1.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 30 | 1.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 23 | 0.8% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.1% |
Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock has an estimated population of 20,735. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock sits in decile 6.8, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 23.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 70.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 6.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 64.4% |
| Social rented homes | 6.7% |
| Private rented homes | 28.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.8 |
Is Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock a safe place to live?
Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded 131.9 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 Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 739 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (645).
Is crime in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock going up or down?
Recorded crime in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock was up 16% on the year before: 2,735 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,363 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock?
Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock 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 Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.