Basildon Crime Rate

Basildon is a major local authority with an overall crime rate of 97.9 per 1,000 people. This is slightly above the UK average of 91.6, earning the borough a safety score of 76/100, which is just below the national average of 79/100. The crime trend is currently stable, with a minor 0.5% decrease year-over-year, indicating a consistent safety environment across its diverse urban and residential landscape. As a primary regional centre for employment and retail, Basildon's crime statistics reflect its busy urban nature. While the town centre experiences typical urban crime patterns, many of its residential neighbourhoods remain secure. The following analysis provides a detailed breakdown of the specific crime types reported and the trends observed across the borough between January and December 2025.

About Basildon

Basildon is a major local authority in Essex, characterized by its large central town and several surrounding settlements. As a post-war "new town," it features a high density of residential neighbourhoods, a vast industrial sector, and one of the largest regional shopping centres in the East of England. The borough is a significant employment hub, attracting a large daily transient population of workers and shoppers, and is well-connected by major road and rail links to London and the coast.

The area's crime statistics are heavily influenced by its urban and commercial intensity. Basildon town centre and its retail parks see significant levels of shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, while the dense residential areas experience typical urban challenges like violence and vehicle crime. The borough's vibrant nightlife and major transport interchanges also contribute to public order and personal safety reports. Despite these urban pressures, many parts of the borough remain stable residential communities. The overall crime rate reflects Basildon's status as a primary regional centre, where high levels of activity naturally lead to more reported incidents than in more rural neighbouring districts.

Crime Breakdown in Basildon

Basildon experiences a range of urban criminal activity, with violence and sexual offences being the most significant category, accounting for 39.1% of all reported incidents. This equates to 38.2 crimes per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common at 11.2%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 8.5%. These figures show that personal safety and social conduct are the primary focuses of local police activity across the borough.

The overall property crime rate in Basildon is 34.8 per 1,000 people. This includes burglary, robbery, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage. This rate is slightly higher than the UK average of 32.2, which is expected for a major regional centre with significant commercial hubs and high population density. Shoplifting and vehicle crime also contribute notably to the total, at 7.9% and 7.6% respectively. For residents and business owners, these statistics indicate that property and vehicle security are essential considerations to protect against opportunistic theft in both residential and busy retail districts.

Crime Trends in Basildon

Total crime in Basildon is currently stable, with a minor year-over-year decrease of 0.5%. This suggests that the borough's safety environment is consistent and that there have been no major shifts in criminal activity over the last twelve months.

The monthly trend data for 2025 shows some variability throughout the year. The safest month was February, with a rate of 6.7 crimes per 1,000 residents, followed by January, September, and November, all at 7.7 or 7.8. In contrast, July 2025 saw a peak, with the rate climbing to 9.2, followed by August at 9.0 and October at 8.8. The rates remained relatively high through the summer and early autumn before dipping slightly in the winter months. These fluctuations suggest that crime in the borough is slightly higher during the summer months, possibly linked to increased outdoor activity and school holidays. For residents, the overall stable annual trend is a positive indicator of long-term security in the local authority.

Basildon is a primary urban and commercial hub within the Essex region. When compared to its more residential neighbours—Castle Point, Thurrock, and Brentwood—it has a higher reported crime rate, which is typical for an area with its population density and major retail activity. It also sees more activity than nearby Rochford, Chelmsford, and Southend-on-Sea. However, Basildon serves as a significant regional centre for employment and shopping, which naturally leads to higher levels of reported incidents than the surrounding districts. For residents and businesses, the borough offers a dynamic environment with a safety profile that remains competitive with other major UK regional centres.

With a property crime rate of 34.8 per 1,000 people, Basildon is relatively safe, but the prevalence of shoplifting, vehicle crime, and other theft—together accounting for over 21% of all incidents—means that security should be a priority for both residents and business owners. Traditional CCTV systems are often reactive, recording a crime but failing to stop it. For those who want the highest level of protection, scOS offers a proactive, AI-powered security operating system. By monitoring property boundaries with multi-camera intelligence, scOS can identify suspicious behaviour and trigger autonomous responses—such as activating lights or speakers—to deter potential intruders in real-time. This is particularly effective in an area like Basildon, where burglary and vehicle crime are persistent concerns. A visible and proactive system like scOS ensures your property is a "hard target," encouraging opportunistic criminals to move on and preserving the peace of your home or business. Professional-grade equipment managed by scOS signals that your property is not an easy target, ensuring that your security standards are maintained at the highest level.

How To Keep Safe in Basildon

The most common crime in Basildon is violence and sexual offences. While the borough is generally safe, staying aware of your surroundings is the most effective way to maintain personal safety in any urban environment.

1. When walking in busy town centres or near transport hubs, especially after dark, stick to well-lit main paths and avoid isolated shortcuts.
2. Be mindful of your belongings in crowded retail areas and shopping centres to deter opportunistic theft and shoplifting-related incidents.
3. If you are out in the evening, try to travel with friends or use reputable local taxi services to ensure you get home safely.
4. Ensure your home and vehicle are always locked and secure; visible security measures can be a strong deterrent to opportunistic offenders.
5. Trust your instincts—if a situation or location feels uncomfortable, move to a busier, well-lit area immediately.
6. Engaging with local community safety partnerships can help you stay informed about any local safety issues and foster a more secure borough.