Crime in Saffron Walden: statistics, rates and trends
708 crimes were recorded in Saffron Walden in the 12 months to August 2026, 45.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Saffron Walden at a glance
- Crime trends in Saffron Walden
- Types of crime in Saffron Walden
- Saffron Walden compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Saffron Walden
- Streets with the most crime in Saffron Walden
- What happened after crimes were reported in Saffron Walden
- Demographics of Saffron Walden
- Questions about crime in Saffron Walden
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (303), anti-social behaviour (80) and other theft (68) made up 64% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 1,224th of the 1,390 towns covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lowest quarter.
| Measure | Saffron Walden | Uttlesford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 708 | 5,882 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 45.0 | 61.8 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -4% | +3% | -1% |
| Population | 15,728 | 95,106 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in Saffron Walden of any year here (708 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 35%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 708 | 45.0 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 736 | 46.8 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 716 | 45.5 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 824 | 52.4 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 1,015 | 64.5 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 1,014 | 64.5 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 1,052 | 66.9 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 1,056 | 67.1 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 1,088 | 69.2 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 69 |
| July 2026 | 70 |
| June 2026 | 74 |
| May 2026 | 51 |
| April 2026 | 65 |
| March 2026 | 50 |
| February 2026 | 52 |
| January 2026 | 57 |
| December 2025 | 56 |
| November 2025 | 56 |
| October 2025 | 61 |
| September 2025 | 47 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and anti-social behaviour (67% below) and shoplifting (65% below) were well below it. On the year before, public order rose from 35 to 48 and vehicle crime rose from 26 to 35, while criminal damage and arson fell from 82 to 47 and burglary fell from 42 to 34.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 303 | 19.3 | 34.2 | 0% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 80 | 5.1 | 15.4 | 0% |
| Other theft | 68 | 4.3 | 6.4 | +1% |
| Public order | 48 | 3.1 | 6.7 | +37% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 47 | 3.0 | 6.7 | -43% |
| Shoplifting | 46 | 2.9 | 8.5 | 0% |
| Vehicle crime | 35 | 2.2 | 5.0 | +35% |
| Burglary | 34 | 2.2 | 3.6 | -19% |
| Other crime | 13 | 0.8 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Drugs | 12 | 0.8 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 9 | 0.6 | 1.7 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 7 | 0.4 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.3 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.1 | 1.4 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
6 of the 8 nearest towns have a higher crime rate than Saffron Walden; the highest is Takeley and Little Canfield (281.7 per 1,000) and the lowest Great Shelford and Stapleford (33.5).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Saffron Walden |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sawston | 312 | 41.6 | -8% |
| Stansted Mountfitchet | 693 | 65.7 | +46% |
| Haverhill | 1,983 | 72.0 | +60% |
| Great Shelford and Stapleford | 225 | 33.5 | -26% |
| Takeley and Little Canfield | 1,695 | 281.7 | +526% |
| Bishop's Stortford | 3,555 | 80.1 | +78% |
| Great Dunmow | 660 | 65.6 | +46% |
| Royston (North Hertfordshire) | 854 | 53.1 | +18% |
Of the 3 areas within Saffron Walden, Saffron Walden Audley had the highest crime rate (58.6 per 1,000) and Saffron Walden Castle the lowest (31.7).
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saffron Walden Audley | Neighbourhood | 5,047 | 296 | 58.6 |
| Saffron Walden Shire | Neighbourhood | 9,097 | 357 | 39.2 |
| Saffron Walden Castle | Neighbourhood | 3,717 | 118 | 31.7 |
The 10 locations below account for 32% of the crime recorded in Saffron Walden over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Supermarket” (49).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 49 |
| On or near Parking Area | 31 |
| On or near High Street | 27 |
| On or near George Street | 26 |
| On or near Tukes Way | 23 |
| On or near Birdbush Avenue | 16 |
| On or near Central Arcade | 15 |
| On or near Crocus Fields | 15 |
| On or near Campling Street | 14 |
| On or near Hop Fields | 14 |
Of the 628 crimes in Saffron Walden with a recorded outcome, 43% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 2.5% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 80 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 269 | 42.8% | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 209 | 33.3% | 34.5% |
| Under investigation | 51 | 8.1% | 11.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 34 | 5.4% | 1.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 16 | 2.5% | 5.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 15 | 2.4% | 4.7% |
| Local resolution | 12 | 1.9% | 3.1% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 9 | 1.4% | 0.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 7 | 1.1% | 2.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.3% | 0.3% |
Saffron Walden has an estimated population of 15,728 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has fewer students (5.2%, against 7.9%), fewer households without a car (16%, against 23%) and fewer residents with no qualifications (14%, against 18%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Saffron Walden average decile 8.8 (1 = most deprived), less deprived than average.
| Measure | Saffron Walden | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.2% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 22.4% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 60.8% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.3% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 24.8% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 5.2% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 41.1% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 13.7% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 15.6% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.7% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 16.3% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 18.0% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.8 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Saffron Walden a safe place to live?
Saffron Walden recorded 45.0 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 1,224th of the 1,390 towns on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in Saffron Walden?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 303 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (80).
Is crime in Saffron Walden going up or down?
Recorded crime in Saffron Walden was down 4% on the year before: 708 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 736 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Saffron Walden?
About 15,728 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 22% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Saffron Walden?
Saffron Walden is policed by Essex.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.