Crime in Chigwell: statistics, rates and trends
842 crimes were recorded in Chigwell in the 12 months to July 2026, 66.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 10% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Chigwell at a glance
- Crime trends in Chigwell
- Types of crime in Chigwell
- Chigwell compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Chigwell
- Streets with the most crime in Chigwell
- What happened after crimes were reported in Chigwell
- Population and deprivation in Chigwell
- Questions about crime in Chigwell
- About this data
842 crimes were recorded in Chigwell in the 12 months to July 2026, 66.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 10% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 327 reports (39% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Chigwell has the 849th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Chigwell | Epping Forest | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 842 | 10,436 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 66.3 | 75.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +10% | +1% | -1% |
| Population | 12,696 | 137,451 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Chigwell was highest in the year to July 2020 (1,293 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (763). Over the whole period it fell 30%, 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 | 842 | 66.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 763 | 60.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 859 | 67.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 919 | 72.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,025 | 80.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,191 | 93.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,293 | 101.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,136 | 89.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,197 | 94.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 75 |
| June 2026 | 65 |
| May 2026 | 63 |
| April 2026 | 49 |
| March 2026 | 58 |
| February 2026 | 69 |
| January 2026 | 89 |
| December 2025 | 92 |
| November 2025 | 60 |
| October 2025 | 78 |
| September 2025 | 76 |
| August 2025 | 68 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Chigwell 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 vehicle crime.
The largest increases were in drugs (+52%) and public order (+19%). The largest falls were in burglary (-20%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 327 | 25.8 | 0.75 | +12% |
| Vehicle crime | 126 | 9.9 | 2.01 | +12% |
| Other theft | 63 | 5.0 | 0.78 | +19% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 59 | 4.6 | 0.69 | -8% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 56 | 4.4 | 0.29 | +6% |
| Public order | 56 | 4.4 | 0.66 | +19% |
| Burglary | 52 | 4.1 | 1.16 | -20% |
| Drugs | 50 | 3.9 | 1.20 | +52% |
| Other crime | 24 | 1.9 | 0.90 | +26% |
| Robbery | 12 | 0.9 | 0.70 | +33% |
| Theft from the person | 7 | 0.6 | 0.33 | +40% |
| Shoplifting | 6 | 0.5 | 0.06 | +0% |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.3 | 0.32 | +33% |
Violence and sexual offences in Chigwell
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Chigwell recorded 327 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 38.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Chigwell
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Chigwell recorded 126 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 15.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Chigwell
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Chigwell recorded 63 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 up 19% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Chigwell
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Chigwell recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Chigwell
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Chigwell recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Chigwell
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Chigwell recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Chigwell
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Chigwell recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Chigwell
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Chigwell recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 52% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Chigwell
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Chigwell recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Chigwell
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Chigwell recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Chigwell
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Chigwell recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Chigwell
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Chigwell recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Chigwell
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Chigwell recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Chigwell, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Chigwell.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Chigwell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buckhurst Hill | 668 | 55.8 | -16% |
| Redbridge | 30,588 | 95.8 | +44% |
| Loughton | 2,693 | 79.5 | +20% |
| Waltham Forest | 29,474 | 105.4 | +59% |
| Barking and Dagenham | 23,477 | 102.3 | +54% |
| Waltham Abbey | 2,095 | 102.0 | +54% |
| Newham | 50,890 | 135.9 | +105% |
| Havering | 24,328 | 89.1 | +34% |
2 areas within Chigwell, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Chigwell with Lambourne had the highest rate (67.3 per 1,000) and Grange Hill the lowest (61.1). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chigwell with Lambourne | Neighbourhood | 7,565 | 509 | 67.3 |
| Grange Hill | Neighbourhood | 9,417 | 575 | 61.1 |
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 Chigwell over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Copperfield | 108 |
| On or near Limes Avenue | 36 |
| On or near King'S Mews | 35 |
| On or near Parking Area | 35 |
| On or near The Childers | 35 |
| On or near High Road | 28 |
| On or near Park/Open Space | 28 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 26 |
| On or near Luxborough Lane | 23 |
| On or near Trotwood | 22 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Chigwell 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 | 325 | 38.6% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 259 | 30.8% |
| Under investigation | 63 | 7.5% |
| Not recorded | 56 | 6.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 43 | 5.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 26 | 3.1% |
| Local resolution | 26 | 3.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 17 | 2.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 14 | 1.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 7 | 0.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.6% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 1 | 0.1% |
Chigwell has an estimated population of 12,696. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Chigwell sits in decile 7.7, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Chigwell |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 62.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 17.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 71.4% |
| Social rented homes | 12.2% |
| Private rented homes | 16.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.7 |
Is Chigwell a safe place to live?
Chigwell recorded 66.3 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 Chigwell?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 327 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by vehicle crime (126).
Is crime in Chigwell going up or down?
Recorded crime in Chigwell was up 10% on the year before: 842 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 763 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Chigwell?
Chigwell 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 Chigwell. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.