Barking and Dagenham Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In September 2023, Barking and Dagenham recorded 2,261 crimes, equating to a crime rate of 9.7 per 1,000 residents — 21.2% above the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. For an area with a population of 232,747, this means 226 crimes occurred for every 1,000 people, a figure that highlights the scale of criminal activity relative to the local population. The most common crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 29.1% of all reported crimes (657 incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (18.3%, 413 incidents) and vehicle crime (10.9%, 247 incidents). These patterns align with the borough’s urban character, where high-density living and transport infrastructure may contribute to certain crime types. Seasonal factors in September — such as the start of the academic year and shifting daylight hours — may have influenced crime dynamics. The rate of violent crime (2.8 per 1,000) was 2% above the UK average, while anti-social behaviour (1.8 per 1,000) was 34% above the national average. Vehicle crime, at 1.1 per 1,000, was 129% above the UK average, likely reflecting the area’s extensive road networks and public transport hubs. These figures underscore the need for targeted policing strategies in high-traffic zones and residential areas prone to disorder.

September 2023 saw significant month-on-month changes in specific crime categories, with 'other crime' increasing by 100% (from 14 to 28 incidents) and theft from the person rising by 35% (from 40 to 54). Vehicle crime also climbed by 21.1% (from 204 to 247), a jump that may relate to increased car usage during the school term or seasonal travel patterns. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 25.8% (from 124 to 92), potentially due to reduced foot traffic in retail areas as the academic year began. Robbery rates also dropped by 17.7% (from 79 to 65), though this decrease was offset by a 200% increase in robbery rates compared to the UK average (0.1 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour remained a standout issue, with rates 34% above the UK average (1.8 vs 1.3 per 1,000), suggesting ongoing challenges in managing public spaces. Vehicle crime, at 1.1 per 1,000, was 129% above the UK average (0.5 per 1,000), a disparity that may reflect the borough’s reliance on road transport and the vulnerability of parked vehicles in densely populated areas. These shifts highlight the need for real-time monitoring of emerging crime trends and tailored interventions in high-risk sectors.

The crime rate in Barking and Dagenham rose from 9.3 per 1,000 in August to 9.7 per 1,000 in September, a 4.9% increase. This translates to approximately 75 crimes reported each day — a figure that, for a population of 232,747, means one crime occurs for roughly every 103 residents over the course of the month. When compared to the UK average, the borough’s crime rate remains higher, with the disparity most pronounced in anti-social behaviour (34% above) and vehicle crime (129% above). The daily crime rate of 75 incidents provides context for residents, illustrating the frequency of criminal activity in an urban setting where public spaces and transport networks are central to daily life. Over the month, the 1-in-103 resident statistic underscores the scale of exposure to crime, though it does not account for variations in individual risk factors such as location or lifestyle. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that while the borough’s crime rate is elevated, it is not uniformly distributed — certain areas may experience higher concentrations of specific crimes, such as vehicle theft in transport hubs or anti-social behaviour in high-density residential zones. These comparative metrics highlight the importance of localized policing and community engagement to address the unique challenges of Barking and Dagenham’s urban environment.