Billericay Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Billericay's crime profile in January 2024, accounting for 47% of all reported incidents and marking a stark contrast to the UK average for this category. At 4.0 crimes per 1,000 residents, Billericay's overall crime rate remained 45.9% below the national average of 7.4, a testament to the area's relatively safe environment despite its built-up nature within Basildon. The dominance of violent crime may be influenced by the area's mix of residential and commercial zones, where interpersonal conflicts could arise more frequently than in purely rural or industrial settings. Seasonal factors also played a role, with the post-holiday period likely contributing to reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which typically correlate with lower rates of shoplifting and vehicle crime. However, the high proportion of violent incidents suggests that local policing strategies may need to focus on addressing underlying social tensions or improving community engagement in high-risk areas. Property crimes, including vehicle crime (10.5%) and public order offences (9.0%), were also present but significantly below UK averages, reinforcing the area's overall safety record. This data underscores the need for continued investment in targeted crime prevention measures, particularly those addressing interpersonal violence, while maintaining the success of initiatives that have kept property-related crimes at historically low levels.

January 2024 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories, with 'other crime' surging by 400% (from 1 to 5 incidents) and bicycle theft doubling (from 0 to 1). These increases may reflect unclassified incidents or seasonal factors, such as changes in outdoor activity patterns during the post-holiday period. Conversely, drug-related offences fell by 71.4% (from 7 to 2), and anti-social behaviour dropped by 66.7% (from 9 to 3), suggesting potential improvements in community policing or reduced social gatherings during the colder months. Burglary rates also decreased by 65.2% (from 23 to 8), possibly linked to reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours. Violent crimes, however, remained the dominant category, with 63 incidents reported—27% below the UK average for this category. This contrast highlights the combination of local factors, such as the built-up area's demographic profile and its proximity to Basildon's commercial hubs, which may contribute to higher interpersonal crime rates compared to other regions.

Billericay's crime rate in January 2024 remained stable compared to December, with a 0.8% increase from 3.9 to 4.0 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests no major shifts in overall criminal activity despite seasonal changes. On a daily basis, 4 crimes were reported each day in January, reflecting a low but steady presence of criminal activity within the built-up area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 252 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure to crime in a way that is relatable to local residents. When scaled to the population of 33,774, this rate underscores that Billericay remains significantly safer than the UK average, with crime levels nearly half those of the national figure. This comparison highlights the effectiveness of local policing strategies and community engagement efforts, which may be contributing to sustained low crime rates despite the post-holiday period typically associated with increased incidents of theft and public disorder.