Crime in Epping: statistics, rates and trends
973 crimes were recorded in Epping in the 12 months to July 2026, 95.2 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 11% on the year before.
Table of Contents
973 crimes were recorded in Epping in the 12 months to July 2026, 95.2 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 11% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 368 reports (38% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Epping has the 414th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Epping | Epping Forest | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 973 | 10,436 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 95.2 | 75.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +11% | +1% | -1% |
| Population | 10,222 | 137,451 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Epping was highest in the year to July 2018 (1,264 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (770). Over the whole period it fell 23%, 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 | 973 | 95.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 875 | 85.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 770 | 75.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 879 | 86.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 869 | 85.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,211 | 118.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,056 | 103.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,169 | 114.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,264 | 123.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 102 |
| June 2026 | 104 |
| May 2026 | 78 |
| April 2026 | 69 |
| March 2026 | 76 |
| February 2026 | 59 |
| January 2026 | 54 |
| December 2025 | 74 |
| November 2025 | 84 |
| October 2025 | 66 |
| September 2025 | 78 |
| August 2025 | 129 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Epping 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, public order.
The largest increases were in public order (+28%) and violence and sexual offences (+23%). The largest falls were in burglary (-46%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 368 | 36.0 | 1.05 | +23% |
| Shoplifting | 104 | 10.2 | 1.23 | +3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 90 | 8.8 | 0.57 | +20% |
| Vehicle crime | 90 | 8.8 | 1.79 | -1% |
| Public order | 88 | 8.6 | 1.30 | +28% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 75 | 7.3 | 1.08 | -4% |
| Other theft | 56 | 5.5 | 0.86 | +12% |
| Drugs | 35 | 3.4 | 1.05 | +13% |
| Burglary | 22 | 2.2 | 0.61 | -46% |
| Other crime | 18 | 1.8 | 0.83 | -5% |
| Robbery | 12 | 1.2 | 0.87 | +20% |
| Possession of weapons | 7 | 0.7 | 0.71 | +40% |
| Theft from the person | 6 | 0.6 | 0.35 | +50% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.2 | 0.24 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Epping
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Epping recorded 368 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (36.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 37.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Epping
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Epping recorded 104 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 10.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Epping
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Epping recorded 90 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Epping
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Epping recorded 90 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Epping
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Epping recorded 88 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Epping
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Epping recorded 75 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Epping
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Epping recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Epping
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Epping recorded 35 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 up 13% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Epping
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Epping recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 46% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Epping
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Epping recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Epping
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Epping recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Epping
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Epping recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Epping
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Epping recorded 6 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 50% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Epping
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Epping recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Epping, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Epping.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Epping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loughton | 2,693 | 79.5 | -16% |
| Waltham Abbey | 2,095 | 102.0 | +7% |
| Harlow | 10,320 | 107.6 | +13% |
| Buckhurst Hill | 668 | 55.8 | -41% |
| Chigwell | 842 | 66.3 | -30% |
| Waltham Cross | 1,602 | 120.3 | +26% |
| Hoddesdon | 3,486 | 86.8 | -9% |
| Cheshunt | 4,252 | 95.6 | +0% |
2 areas within Epping, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Epping West & Rural had the highest rate (86.3 per 1,000) and Epping East the lowest (84.5). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epping West & Rural | Neighbourhood | 7,557 | 652 | 86.3 |
| Epping East | Neighbourhood | 6,595 | 557 | 84.5 |
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 Epping over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Police Station | 96 |
| On or near Supermarket | 73 |
| On or near Star Lane | 66 |
| On or near High Road | 65 |
| On or near Ambrose Crescent | 42 |
| On or near Lion Court | 37 |
| On or near High Street | 28 |
| On or near Grove Lane | 22 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 22 |
| On or near B1393 | 21 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Epping 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 | 372 | 38.2% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 242 | 24.9% |
| Not recorded | 90 | 9.2% |
| Under investigation | 87 | 8.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 58 | 6.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 35 | 3.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 28 | 2.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 24 | 2.5% |
| Local resolution | 22 | 2.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 8 | 0.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% |
Epping has an estimated population of 10,222. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Epping sits in decile 7.7, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Epping |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 66.4% |
| Social rented homes | 17.4% |
| Private rented homes | 16.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.7 |
Is Epping a safe place to live?
Epping recorded 95.2 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Epping?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 368 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (104).
Is crime in Epping going up or down?
Recorded crime in Epping was up 11% on the year before: 973 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 875 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Epping?
Epping 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 Epping. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.