Wickford Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Wickford's crime rate in April 2024 stood at 4.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it 41.6% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This continued safety advantage reflects the area's character as a built-up district within Basildon, where urban planning and community-focused policing may contribute to lower rates. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (25.4% of total incidents), followed by public order and criminal damage (13.9% each). These figures align with the area's mix of residential zones and commercial hubs, where public spaces and property-related disputes are more likely to generate reported incidents. Seasonal factors in April—Easter holidays and springtime weather—likely influenced the crime profile, with increased outdoor activity potentially contributing to public order issues. However, the overall stability in crime rates compared to March suggests no major disruptions to the area's safety patterns. The relatively low levels of violent crime, particularly in relation to the UK average, may indicate effective community engagement initiatives or the absence of high-risk demographics that typically drive such offences. While property crimes accounted for 42.6% of all incidents (52 out of 122), the proportion of violent crimes (25.4%) remained lower than the UK average, where violence and sexual offences make up 33.7% of all crimes. This discrepancy underscores Wickford's unique profile as a safer urban area, though the 200% surge in shoplifting highlights vulnerabilities in retail security that may require targeted interventions.

April 2024 saw a striking 200% increase in shoplifting, rising from 3 to 9 incidents. This jump coincides with Easter shopping activity and springtime foot traffic in local retail areas, though no specific locations were identified in the data. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell by 29.5%, declining from 44 to 31 cases—a drop that may reflect seasonal changes in public spaces or the impact of Easter holidays reducing late-night activity. Wickford's rate for violence and sexual offences (1.1 per 1,000) is 57% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, a gap that has widened slightly this month. The surge in drug-related crimes (+150%) from 2 to 5 cases raises questions about local patterns, though the small numbers mean this change should be viewed with caution. Residents may find the 100% increase in theft from the person (from 0 to 1 case) particularly concerning, as it suggests a new risk factor in the area.

Wickford's crime rate in April 2024 remained stable compared to March, with a 1.6% increase from 4.4 to 4.5 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests no major shifts in overall crime trends during the month. On a daily basis, 4 crimes were reported per day on average, a figure that aligns with the area's historical patterns of moderate crime activity. Over the course of April, one reported crime occurred for every 225 residents, illustrating the relatively low frequency of incidents in this built-up area. When scaled to the population of 27,406, this rate underscores Wickford's position as a safer-than-average area within the UK, though the stability in numbers means no significant progress or regression has been recorded this month. The lack of dramatic fluctuations contrasts with seasonal trends in other areas, where Easter-related activity or springtime patterns might drive sharper changes in crime rates.