Billericay Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

April 2023 marked a continuation of Billericay's trend of maintaining a crime rate significantly below the UK average, with 6.1 crimes per 1,000 residents compared to the national figure of 7.5. This 18.7% deficit underscores the area's success in managing crime despite its status as a built-up area within Basildon. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (31.1% of total), shoplifting (19.9%), and criminal damage and arson (10.7%). These figures align with the area's character as a mixed-use urban centre, where retail presence likely drives shoplifting and public spaces contribute to violence. Seasonal factors may have influenced patterns, with Easter activities potentially increasing public order incidents while spring weather encouraged outdoor activity that could both deter and facilitate crime. Violent crime rates in Billericay were 27% below the UK average, suggesting effective policing or community initiatives in managing such incidents. However, shoplifting's 150% excess over the national average highlights persistent vulnerabilities in retail areas. The balance between property and violent crimes shifted slightly in April, with property crimes accounting for 50.5% of the total, reflecting a broader trend of property crime dominance in the area. These patterns are consistent with other built-up areas where commercial activity drives specific crime types, though Billericay's overall performance remains a positive outlier compared to national benchmarks.

April 2023 saw a 35.7% drop in burglary cases, from 14 to 9, marking the most significant decrease among all crime categories. This decline may partly explain the overall 8.0% reduction in the area's crime rate compared to March. Conversely, drug-related crimes surged by 100%, rising from 4 to 8 incidents, a sharp increase that contrasts with the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. Shoplifting remained a persistent concern, with rates 150% above the national average at 1.2 per 1,000. This anomaly likely reflects the area's retail density, as shoplifting accounts for nearly 20% of all crimes. The mix of crime types also shifted, with property crimes (104) slightly outpacing violent crimes (64), a reversal from previous months. Residents should note that while violent crime rates are 27% below the UK average, the sharp rise in drug-related incidents warrants attention.

Billericay's crime rate in April 2023 fell to 6.1 per 1,000 residents, an 8.0% decrease from March's 6.6 per 1,000. This decline aligns with the area's broader trend of maintaining a crime rate consistently below the UK average. Locally, 7 crimes were reported daily on average, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents within the built-up area's population of 33,774. Over the course of April, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 164 residents, a monthly exposure rate that reflects the area's relatively low overall crime levels. When compared to the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000, Billericay's performance highlights the effectiveness of local policing strategies in reducing incidents. The population context further illustrates that even with 206 total crimes, the rate per capita remains well below national benchmarks, suggesting that community-focused initiatives may be contributing to this sustained improvement.