Crime in Runwell: statistics, rates and trends
765 crimes were recorded in Runwell in the 12 months to July 2026, 78.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 16% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Runwell at a glance
- Crime trends in Runwell
- Types of crime in Runwell
- Runwell compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Runwell
- Streets with the most crime in Runwell
- What happened after crimes were reported in Runwell
- Population and deprivation in Runwell
- Questions about crime in Runwell
- About this data
765 crimes were recorded in Runwell in the 12 months to July 2026, 78.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower 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 326 reports (43% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Runwell has the 640th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Runwell | Chelmsford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 765 | 15,643 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 78.5 | 82.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +16% | +7% | -1% |
| Population | 9,742 | 188,803 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Runwell was highest in the year to July 2021 (907 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (657). Over the whole period it fell 11%, 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 | 765 | 78.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 657 | 67.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 678 | 69.6 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 685 | 70.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 794 | 81.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 907 | 93.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 800 | 82.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 761 | 78.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 859 | 88.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 73 |
| June 2026 | 57 |
| May 2026 | 80 |
| April 2026 | 77 |
| March 2026 | 69 |
| February 2026 | 52 |
| January 2026 | 57 |
| December 2025 | 60 |
| November 2025 | 66 |
| October 2025 | 75 |
| September 2025 | 44 |
| August 2025 | 55 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Runwell 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 anti-social behaviour (+79%) and public order (+73%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-35%) and burglary (-21%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 326 | 33.5 | 0.98 | +11% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 120 | 12.3 | 0.80 | +79% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 76 | 7.8 | 1.15 | +65% |
| Other theft | 48 | 4.9 | 0.77 | -4% |
| Vehicle crime | 46 | 4.7 | 0.96 | -35% |
| Public order | 45 | 4.6 | 0.70 | +73% |
| Burglary | 34 | 3.5 | 0.99 | -21% |
| Drugs | 24 | 2.5 | 0.75 | +0% |
| Shoplifting | 24 | 2.5 | 0.30 | +100% |
| Possession of weapons | 11 | 1.1 | 1.16 | +267% |
| Other crime | 7 | 0.7 | 0.34 | -61% |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.2 | 0.15 | +100% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.12 | +0% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.06 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Runwell
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Runwell recorded 326 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (33.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 42.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Runwell
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Runwell recorded 120 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 79% on the year before. It made up 15.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Runwell
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Runwell recorded 76 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 up 65% on the year before. It made up 9.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Runwell
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Runwell recorded 48 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Runwell
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Runwell recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Runwell
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Runwell recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 73% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Runwell
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Runwell recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Runwell
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Runwell recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Runwell
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Runwell recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Runwell
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Runwell recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 267% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Runwell
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Runwell recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 61% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Runwell
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Runwell recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Runwell
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Runwell recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Runwell
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Runwell recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Runwell, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Runwell.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Runwell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wickford | 1,856 | 66.3 | -16% |
| Hullbridge | 238 | 43.7 | -44% |
| South Woodham Ferrers | 785 | 49.5 | -37% |
| Rayleigh | 1,811 | 54.3 | -31% |
| Billericay | 1,629 | 48.1 | -39% |
| Basildon | 14,637 | 120.8 | +54% |
| Thundersley and South Benfleet | 2,375 | 48.7 | -38% |
| Galleywood | 480 | 67.1 | -15% |
1 areas within Runwell, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Rettendon and Runwell had the highest rate (66.2 per 1,000) and Rettendon and Runwell the lowest (66.2). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rettendon and Runwell | Neighbourhood | 7,267 | 481 | 66.2 |
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 Runwell over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near High Street | 78 |
| On or near Hospital | 62 |
| On or near Meadow Lane | 52 |
| On or near Arundel Road | 37 |
| On or near The Broadway | 32 |
| On or near Alderney Gardens | 24 |
| On or near St Luke'S Way | 23 |
| On or near Browns Avenue | 20 |
| On or near Corsellis Close | 18 |
| On or near Aydon Close | 18 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Runwell 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 274 | 35.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 222 | 29.0% |
| Not recorded | 120 | 15.7% |
| Under investigation | 45 | 5.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 39 | 5.1% |
| Local resolution | 20 | 2.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 14 | 1.8% |
| Court result unavailable | 13 | 1.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 10 | 1.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.7% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.1% |
Runwell has an estimated population of 9,742. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Runwell sits in decile 6.6, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Runwell |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 59.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 79.8% |
| Social rented homes | 9.7% |
| Private rented homes | 10.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.6 |
Is Runwell a safe place to live?
Runwell recorded 78.5 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 Runwell?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 326 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (120).
Is crime in Runwell going up or down?
Recorded crime in Runwell was up 16% on the year before: 765 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 657 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Runwell?
Runwell 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 Runwell. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.