Crime in Saffron Walden: statistics, rates and trends

706 crimes were recorded in Saffron Walden in the 12 months to July 2026, 44.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 298 reports (42% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Saffron Walden has the 1,234th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Saffron Walden was highest in the year to July 2018 (1,117 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (706). Over the whole period it fell 37%, 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 Saffron Walden 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 vehicle crime (+48%) and public order (+22%).

The largest falls were in other crime (-50%) and criminal damage and arson (-32%).

Violence and sexual offences in Saffron Walden

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Saffron Walden recorded 298 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 42.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Saffron Walden

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Saffron Walden recorded 75 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 10.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Saffron Walden

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Saffron Walden recorded 69 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 9.8% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Saffron Walden

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Saffron Walden recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Saffron Walden

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Saffron Walden recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Saffron Walden

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Saffron Walden recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Saffron Walden

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Saffron Walden recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Saffron Walden

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Saffron Walden recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 48% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Saffron Walden

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Saffron Walden recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 39% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Saffron Walden

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Saffron Walden recorded 11 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 50% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Saffron Walden

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Saffron Walden recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 133% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Saffron Walden

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Saffron Walden recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Saffron Walden

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Saffron Walden recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Saffron Walden

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Saffron Walden recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 75% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.

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

3 areas within Saffron Walden, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Saffron Walden Audley had the highest rate (59.6 per 1,000) and Saffron Walden Castle the lowest (30.7). 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 Saffron Walden over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Saffron Walden 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.

Saffron Walden has an estimated population of 15,728. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Saffron Walden sits in decile 8.8, 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 Saffron Walden. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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