Crime in Loughton: statistics, rates and trends

2,693 crimes were recorded in Loughton in the 12 months to July 2026, 79.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 973 reports (36% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Loughton has the 628th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Loughton was highest in the year to July 2018 (3,968 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (2,693). Over the whole period it fell 32%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Loughton 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. The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+30%) and anti-social behaviour (+21%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-51%) and robbery (-26%).

Violence and sexual offences in Loughton

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Loughton recorded 973 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 36.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Loughton

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Loughton recorded 324 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 51% on the year before. It made up 12.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Loughton

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Loughton recorded 278 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 10.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Loughton

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Loughton recorded 207 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Loughton

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Loughton recorded 190 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Loughton

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Loughton recorded 180 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Loughton

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Loughton recorded 163 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Loughton

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Loughton recorded 134 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Loughton

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Loughton recorded 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Loughton

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Loughton recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Loughton

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Loughton recorded 31 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 down 26% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Loughton

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Loughton recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Loughton

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Loughton recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Loughton

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Loughton recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 80% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Loughton, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Loughton.

4 areas within Loughton, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Loughton Fairmead had the highest rate (114.7 per 1,000) and Loughton St John's the lowest (56.4). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Loughton over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Loughton 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.

Loughton has an estimated population of 33,869. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Loughton sits in decile 7.0, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Loughton. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.