Crime in Grays: statistics, rates and trends
4,549 crimes were recorded in Grays in the 12 months to July 2026, 98.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
4,549 crimes were recorded in Grays in the 12 months to July 2026, 98.9 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,610 reports (35% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Grays has the 369th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Grays | Thurrock | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 4,549 | 18,082 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 98.9 | 99.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +2% | +4% | -1% |
| Population | 45,985 | 180,989 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Grays was highest in the year to July 2021 (5,424 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (4,176). Over the whole period it rose 2%, 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 | 4,549 | 98.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 4,463 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 4,176 | 90.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 4,185 | 91.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 4,674 | 101.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 5,424 | 118.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 4,986 | 108.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 5,141 | 111.8 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 4,477 | 97.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 443 |
| June 2026 | 384 |
| May 2026 | 379 |
| April 2026 | 378 |
| March 2026 | 386 |
| February 2026 | 360 |
| January 2026 | 375 |
| December 2025 | 336 |
| November 2025 | 392 |
| October 2025 | 348 |
| September 2025 | 374 |
| August 2025 | 394 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Grays 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, drugs, possession of weapons.
The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+126%) and burglary (+47%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-42%) and robbery (-29%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,610 | 35.0 | 1.02 | +8% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 487 | 10.6 | 0.69 | +19% |
| Shoplifting | 406 | 8.8 | 1.07 | -42% |
| Vehicle crime | 373 | 8.1 | 1.65 | +4% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 360 | 7.8 | 1.15 | -3% |
| Other theft | 327 | 7.1 | 1.11 | +19% |
| Public order | 327 | 7.1 | 1.07 | -2% |
| Drugs | 264 | 5.7 | 1.76 | +35% |
| Burglary | 135 | 2.9 | 0.83 | +47% |
| Other crime | 85 | 1.8 | 0.88 | +20% |
| Possession of weapons | 61 | 1.3 | 1.37 | +126% |
| Bicycle theft | 49 | 1.1 | 1.29 | +9% |
| Robbery | 37 | 0.8 | 0.60 | -29% |
| Theft from the person | 28 | 0.6 | 0.36 | -26% |
Violence and sexual offences in Grays
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Grays recorded 1,610 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 35.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Grays
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Grays recorded 487 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 10.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Grays
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Grays recorded 406 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 42% on the year before. It made up 8.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Grays
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Grays recorded 373 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Grays
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Grays recorded 360 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Grays
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Grays recorded 327 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Grays
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Grays recorded 327 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Grays
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Grays recorded 264 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Grays
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Grays recorded 135 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 47% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Grays
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Grays recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Grays
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Grays recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 126% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Grays
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Grays recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Grays
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Grays recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Grays
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Grays recorded 28 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 down 26% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Grays, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Grays.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Grays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock | 2,735 | 131.9 | +33% |
| Chadwell St Mary | 1,118 | 103.2 | +4% |
| Tilbury | 2,144 | 137.8 | +39% |
| South Ockendon | 1,956 | 83.7 | -15% |
| Swanscombe | 1,501 | 94.1 | -5% |
| Ebbsfleet Valley | 386 | 52.0 | -47% |
| Aveley | 775 | 79.7 | -19% |
| Northfleet | 2,825 | 94.1 | -5% |
5 areas within Grays, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Grays Riverside had the highest rate (163.8 per 1,000) and Little Thurrock Rectory the lowest (66.0). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grays Riverside | Neighbourhood | 13,744 | 2,251 | 163.8 |
| Grays Thurrock | Neighbourhood | 10,234 | 834 | 81.5 |
| Little Thurrock Blackshots | Neighbourhood | 7,051 | 483 | 68.5 |
| Stifford Clays | Neighbourhood | 6,777 | 454 | 67.0 |
| Little Thurrock Rectory | Neighbourhood | 6,619 | 437 | 66.0 |
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 Grays over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near High Street | 282 |
| On or near Parking Area | 226 |
| On or near New Road | 160 |
| On or near Argyll Road | 157 |
| On or near Supermarket | 149 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 137 |
| On or near Police Station | 124 |
| On or near Exmouth Road | 94 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 93 |
| On or near Sherfield Road | 71 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Grays 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 | 1,571 | 34.5% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 1,158 | 25.5% |
| Not recorded | 487 | 10.7% |
| Under investigation | 395 | 8.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 255 | 5.6% |
| Local resolution | 192 | 4.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 146 | 3.2% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 126 | 2.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 109 | 2.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 56 | 1.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 40 | 0.9% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 10 | 0.2% |
Grays has an estimated population of 45,985. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Grays sits in decile 5.6, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Grays |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 21.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 63.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 14.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 62.8% |
| Social rented homes | 15.6% |
| Private rented homes | 21.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.6 |
Is Grays a safe place to live?
Grays recorded 98.9 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 Grays?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,610 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (487).
Is crime in Grays going up or down?
Recorded crime in Grays was up 2% on the year before: 4,549 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 4,463 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Grays?
Grays 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 Grays. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.