Anti-social behaviour, including violence and sexual offences were the two most common crimes recorded across Epping Forest in 2019.

According to information sourced from Police.uk, anti-social behaviour made up of around 30 per cent of all types of crimes in the district reported last year.

Violence and sexual offences consisted an estimated average of 20 per cent of reported crimes, a total of 2,268 filed incidents.

Waltham Abbey saw the highest level of criminal activity in both types of crimes, with 599 anti-social reports and 721 for violence and sexual offences.

Further stats from Police.uk reveals that between January and December 2019, 82.61 per cent of all crimes in Waltham Abbey required no further action after a crime report was submitted.

A total of 951 (46.08 per cent) investigations were deemed complete or no suspect identified and 747 (36.19 per cent) investigations were unable to prosecute a suspect

In response to the latest figures, Councillor Sam Kane of Waltham Abbey Honey Lane ward noted that the district council’s decision to increase funding on public safety by introducing more police officers.

He said: “Turning to the crime figures, it is important and relevant to reflect on how the increase in funding and consequent increase in Police officers have had a real effect in the district.

“Looking at the Rolling 12 months statistics which compares the figures this year to those of 12 months ago there are a number of highlights which should be acknowledged

So, as you see, anti-social behaviour still makes up 20 per cent of incidents, but it is on the decrease compared to 2018 (down 11.7 per cent).

“The marked increase in violence against the person is however, deeply concerning.

“You ask why I think these types of crimes are the highest reported in Waltham Abbey and I can only say that the percentages seen in Waltham Abbey are reflected across the district, county and country as a whole.

“In terms of action councils can take to assist, I would say we need to continue the work already in hand, which sees our community safety team working in close harmony."

Essex Police also empathised that the county is still a safe place to live and work, with fewer people victims of violence, robbery, theft, and burglary than the national average.

They also noted that their Special Constabulary is the second largest in the UK and the fastest growing, meaning better service and more accurate crime reports.

A spokesperson said: “Our data accuracy is now rated as ‘outstanding’ by the HMICFRS, and this has had an impact on the number of offences recorded.

“It means in some areas we’ve seen the number offences recorded increase more steeply than before and than other parts of the country.

“By being able to record offences more accurately we get a better picture of the issues we need to tackle the most as well as providing a better service to victim.”

Essex Police added: “We are proud to have a strong and positive relationship with the Community Safety Partnership, who our officers work with every day to address issues of vulnerability, violence, exploitation and anti-social behaviour across Epping.

“As well as introducing new Town Centre Teams and expanding our Rural Engagement Team, we’ve secured millions of pounds in extra funding to tackle and prevent street violence and knife crime.

“We are currently on track to having 3,218 officers protecting and serving the county by March 2020 and 3,353 by 2021.”

Sue Taylor, head of Epping Forest Neighbourhood Watch, encourages residents to become a member of the largest crime fighting charity in the county.

Their Facebook page has almost 14,000 members who share posts of incidents across the county from break-ins to phone scams.

She said: “We appoint street coordinators who sign up their neighbours and then they send out weekly posts from Essex Police and from Neighbourhood Watch, warning people about crime and of course they send out our crime prevention information too.

“It is a wonderful way to bring back community onto our streets. In June, we will run a crime prevention safety session for young people and their parents.

“Details of that session will be available on the Loughton Festival website and also on our Facebook group.

“What we would urge people to do is actually report all crime. Many people fail to do so, but if they do not report crime then the police will not be able to take any action because they will have no idea it is happening.”