Crime in Sawbridgeworth: statistics, rates and trends

630 crimes were recorded in Sawbridgeworth in the 12 months to July 2026, 53.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 14% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 258 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Sawbridgeworth has the 1,093rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Sawbridgeworth was highest in the year to July 2025 (735 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (593). Over the whole period it fell 4%, 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 Sawbridgeworth 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 public order (+11%).

The largest falls were in shoplifting (-45%) and anti-social behaviour (-37%).

Violence and sexual offences in Sawbridgeworth

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Sawbridgeworth recorded 258 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 41.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Sawbridgeworth

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Sawbridgeworth recorded 127 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 20.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Sawbridgeworth

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Sawbridgeworth recorded 60 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 9.5% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Sawbridgeworth

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Sawbridgeworth recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Sawbridgeworth

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Sawbridgeworth recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Sawbridgeworth

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Sawbridgeworth recorded 30 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Sawbridgeworth

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Sawbridgeworth recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Sawbridgeworth

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Sawbridgeworth recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Sawbridgeworth

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Sawbridgeworth recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 45% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Sawbridgeworth

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Sawbridgeworth recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Sawbridgeworth

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Sawbridgeworth recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 133% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Sawbridgeworth

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Sawbridgeworth recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Sawbridgeworth

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Sawbridgeworth recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Sawbridgeworth

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Sawbridgeworth 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 89% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

2 areas within Sawbridgeworth, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Rural East had the highest rate (65.6 per 1,000) and Sawbridgeworth the lowest (58.2). 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 Sawbridgeworth over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Sawbridgeworth 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.

Sawbridgeworth has an estimated population of 11,717. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Sawbridgeworth 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 Sawbridgeworth. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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