Crime in Witham: statistics, rates and trends
2,005 crimes were recorded in Witham in the 12 months to July 2026, 79.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
2,005 crimes were recorded in Witham in the 12 months to July 2026, 79.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 924 reports (46% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Witham has the 636th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Witham | Braintree | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,005 | 10,070 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 79.0 | 61.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -3% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 25,389 | 164,304 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Witham was highest in the year to July 2021 (2,808 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (2,005). Over the whole period it fell 26%, 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 | 2,005 | 79.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,058 | 81.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,113 | 83.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,189 | 86.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,622 | 103.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,808 | 110.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,664 | 104.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,515 | 99.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,715 | 106.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 199 |
| June 2026 | 190 |
| May 2026 | 174 |
| April 2026 | 173 |
| March 2026 | 168 |
| February 2026 | 133 |
| January 2026 | 134 |
| December 2025 | 154 |
| November 2025 | 147 |
| October 2025 | 185 |
| September 2025 | 173 |
| August 2025 | 175 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Witham 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 (+29%) and public order (+20%).
The largest falls were in shoplifting (-54%) and criminal damage and arson (-29%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 924 | 36.4 | 1.06 | +8% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 228 | 9.0 | 0.59 | +7% |
| Public order | 154 | 6.1 | 0.91 | +20% |
| Other theft | 140 | 5.5 | 0.86 | +3% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 133 | 5.2 | 0.77 | -29% |
| Shoplifting | 94 | 3.7 | 0.45 | -54% |
| Vehicle crime | 80 | 3.2 | 0.64 | -20% |
| Drugs | 68 | 2.7 | 0.82 | +0% |
| Burglary | 64 | 2.5 | 0.71 | +2% |
| Other crime | 64 | 2.5 | 1.19 | +19% |
| Possession of weapons | 27 | 1.1 | 1.10 | +29% |
| Robbery | 17 | 0.7 | 0.50 | +89% |
| Bicycle theft | 7 | 0.3 | 0.33 | -30% |
| Theft from the person | 5 | 0.2 | 0.12 | -44% |
Violence and sexual offences in Witham
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Witham recorded 924 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (36.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 46.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Witham
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Witham recorded 228 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 11.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Witham
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Witham recorded 154 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Witham
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Witham recorded 140 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Witham
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Witham recorded 133 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Witham
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Witham recorded 94 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 54% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Witham
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Witham recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Witham
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Witham recorded 68 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Witham
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Witham recorded 64 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Witham
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Witham recorded 64 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Witham
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Witham recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Witham
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Witham recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 89% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Witham
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Witham recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Witham
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Witham recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 44% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Witham, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Witham.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Witham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kelvedon and Feering | 261 | 45.6 | -42% |
| Tiptree | 389 | 46.6 | -41% |
| Maldon | 1,576 | 66.2 | -16% |
| Danbury | 306 | 45.6 | -42% |
| Great Notley | 332 | 42.6 | -46% |
| Braintree | 3,324 | 79.0 | +0% |
| Chelmsford | 11,086 | 97.1 | +23% |
| Halstead (Braintree) | 912 | 57.4 | -27% |
4 areas within Witham, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Witham Central had the highest rate (121.3 per 1,000) and Witham South the lowest (51.0). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Witham Central | Neighbourhood | 6,554 | 795 | 121.3 |
| Witham North | Neighbourhood | 6,528 | 477 | 73.1 |
| Witham West | Neighbourhood | 6,835 | 493 | 72.1 |
| Witham South | Neighbourhood | 8,142 | 415 | 51.0 |
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 Witham over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 113 |
| On or near Supermarket | 113 |
| On or near Coach House Way | 55 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 53 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 42 |
| On or near B1389 | 37 |
| On or near Calamint Road | 37 |
| On or near Campbell Road | 35 |
| On or near Bronte Road | 31 |
| On or near Hemingway Road | 27 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Witham 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 | 679 | 33.9% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 569 | 28.4% |
| Not recorded | 228 | 11.4% |
| Under investigation | 165 | 8.2% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 106 | 5.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 82 | 4.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 50 | 2.5% |
| Local resolution | 49 | 2.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 42 | 2.1% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 19 | 0.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 11 | 0.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.1% |
Witham has an estimated population of 25,389. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Witham sits in decile 5.0, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Witham |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 62.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 18.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 61.9% |
| Social rented homes | 21.4% |
| Private rented homes | 16.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.0 |
Is Witham a safe place to live?
Witham recorded 79.0 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 Witham?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 924 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (228).
Is crime in Witham going up or down?
Recorded crime in Witham was down 3% on the year before: 2,005 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,058 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Witham?
Witham 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 Witham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.