Crime in Harlow is falling

In 2004, the Safer Harlow Partnership was set the task of working together with the Police and Community to reduce certain levels of crime in Harlow by 18.5% over a 4-year period. At the end of this agreement, crime has been reduced by an impressive 25%. Harlow ’s major reductions in crime began in Spring/Summer 2006 and have been falling ever since. For the month of February 2008, Harlow had the lowest volume of crime since records begun 4 years ago.  

In order to assess just how well Harlow is performing against others in reducing crime, the Home Office compare Harlow to fourteen other areas in the Country which are thought to be similar. Compared to these, Harlow is the second best performing District for its successes in crime reduction. 

To date, the most impressive reductions have been in Domestic Burglary (39% reduction), criminal damage (34% reduction), and wounding (32% reduction). The partnership has also performed well in reducing other crimes such as the theft or taking of vehicles, theft from vehicles, theft from person (stealing of personal property), and the theft of bicycles.

Despite the fact that Harlow is comparatively a safe place to live, and these significant reductions in crime, people’s perception of crime being a problem is actually increasing. In late 2007, only 29% of residents stated that they felt safe in Harlow after dark, against an average of 48% in neighbouring Epping.

The Partnership is keen to assure the public that Harlow is a safe place to live, and also realises that it needs to do more to address areas where it has not performed so well, such as common assaults (more minor violent crimes), and the interference of vehicles. 

Crime, Disorder and Substance Misuse Priorities for Harlow

The priorities set in the Strategic Assessment were reached through research, data analysis, and community consultation.

Priorities  

• Alcohol-related crime and disorder (principally Town Centre) 
• Children and young people as victims 
• Fear and perceptions of crime  
• Anti-social behaviour   
• Business related crime  
• Offender management   
• Drugs and alcohol (substance misuse)  
• Vehicle crime