We need your views to help police and local authorities tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Greater Essex.
The anonymous Community Safety Survey by Safer Essex runs every year. It helps seek solutions, focus resources and build a picture of crime and anti-social behaviour in Greater Essex.
Last year, 46% of respondents said they had been a victim of crime. This was an increase of 18% from 2023.
According to Essex Police, there were around 9,000 fewer offences in the last year. Across five years, there have been 20,000 fewer offences.
82% of 2024 respondents named fraud and scams as a top concern, which is a rise of 5% from 2023. This is consistent with a 6.1% increase in fraud crime between 2023 and 2024, according to Action Fraud.
The rise represents 9,604 fraud offences in 12 months - an increase of 552 - and a loss of £68.5 million. As a result, the Multi Agency Approach to Fraud (MAAF) has engaged with residents.
We urge you to complete the anonymous Community Safety Survey 2025. The results will help police and local authorities develop solutions. This has included neighbourhood policing teams in response to concerns about police presence.
You can take part in the Community Safety Survey online until 3 August 2025.
Councillor Louise McKinlay, our Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Communities and Business Engagement, said: “With a sharp rise in the number of residents saying they’ve been victims of crime, it's essential their voices are placed at the centre of any action taken to tackle issues.
“Resources must be directed towards dealing with crimes that concern people most, such as anti-social behaviour, burglary and drug dealing, and ensuring reported crimes receive a timely and meaningful response.
“I urge all Essex residents to take part in this year’s survey to inform the police of what truly matters and bridge the gap between official statistics and real-life experiences.”