Billericay Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

August 2024 presented an unexpected twist in Billericay’s crime profile, with burglary rates surging by 166.7% compared to July — a sharp contrast to the usual seasonal dip in property crime during holiday months. This anomaly, coupled with the area’s overall crime rate of 3.2 per 1,000 residents — 61% below the UK average — illustrates the complex dynamics at play in this built-up area within Basildon. While violent crimes accounted for 32.1% of all incidents, shoplifting and vehicle crime remained persistent challenges, contributing 18.4% and 11% respectively. The data also highlights Billericay’s consistently lower rates in several categories: anti-social behaviour (86% below UK average), public order offences (84% below), and drugs-related crimes (55% below). These figures may reflect the area’s relatively stable community environment, though the unexpected rise in burglary suggests the need for further investigation into local factors such as changes in policing strategies or increased vulnerability of certain properties. Seasonal context adds another layer of analysis: August, a peak holiday month, typically sees increased burglary risk due to unoccupied homes, yet Billericay’s data defies this pattern, raising questions about why this particular month saw such a dramatic spike. The breakdown also shows a shift in crime mix, with violent offences slightly outpacing property crimes — a reversal of the usual trend in this area — though the exact drivers remain unclear. The overall picture, however, remains one of relative safety compared to the UK average, with the area’s crime profile underscoring the importance of targeted interventions to address specific vulnerabilities without compromising the broader trend of declining crime rates.

August 2024 witnessed a striking 166.7% increase in burglary compared to July, a marked departure from typical seasonal trends where empty homes during holidays often correlate with lower property crime. This spike, from 3 to 8 incidents, raises questions about local factors such as targeted criminal activity or changes in community awareness. Meanwhile, public order offences fell by 66.7% — from 12 to 4 — a drop that aligns with the quieter atmosphere of August. The crime mix also shifted significantly: violent crimes accounted for 32.1% of total incidents, slightly outpacing property crimes (35 vs 60), a reversal of the usual dominance of property-related offences in this area. Shoplifting remained a persistent issue, contributing 18.4% of crimes and sitting 15% below the UK average. Residents may find the 68% reduction in criminal damage and arson — from 1.4 to 0.6 per 1,000 — particularly reassuring, though this category still saw higher rates than the national average. These fluctuations highlight the combination of local dynamics and broader patterns in crime distribution.

Billericay’s August 2024 crime rate of 3.2 per 1,000 residents marks a 19.3% decline from July’s 4.0 per 1,000, reflecting a sustained downward trend. Over 31 days, 109 crimes were recorded — an average of 4 crimes per day — though this figure alone does not capture the full picture of local safety. Monthly exposure reveals that one crime occurred for every 310 residents, a statistic that contextualises the rate within the area’s population of 33,774. This suggests that while crime remains relatively low, it is not absent. The shift from July to August also highlights a broader seasonal pattern: while holiday months typically see spikes in property crime due to empty homes, Billericay’s data defies this trend, with burglary rising by 166.7% and other theft crimes increasing by 66.7%. These anomalies may be influenced by local factors, such as targeted policing efforts or changes in community vigilance, though further analysis would be needed to confirm. The contrast between Billericay’s figures and the UK average — which stands at 8.2 per 1,000 — underscores the area’s consistently lower crime profile, particularly in categories like anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which are 86% and 84% below national levels respectively.