Wickford Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Wickford’s crime rate in July 2024 stood at 6.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 26.2% below the UK average of 8.4. This figure, while showing a 27.6% increase from June, remains in line with the area’s generally lower crime profile compared to national benchmarks. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 34.5% of all reported incidents. This category’s rate of 2.2 per 1,000 was 23% below the UK average, suggesting that local factors—such as community policing efforts or demographic characteristics—may be contributing to this trend. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 15.8% of crimes, with its rate of 1.0 per 1,000 also significantly below the UK average of 1.4. The seasonal context of July, marked by school holidays, festivals, and extended daylight hours, likely plays a role in shaping these patterns. For example, the rise in public order offences could be linked to the increased presence of tourists and the associated pressures on local infrastructure. Conversely, the drop in burglary rates to 0.0 per 1,000 (from 0.3 in the UK) might reflect the seasonal migration of residents or the deterrent effect of heightened community activity during the summer. These dynamics illustrate how local geography and temporal factors interact to influence crime profiles, even within a built-up area like Wickford.

The most dramatic month-on-month change occurred in possession of weapons, which increased by 300% (from 1 to 4 cases). This spike, though still below the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000, raises questions about local enforcement and community safety measures. Concurrently, public order offences rose by 77.8% (9 to 16), likely influenced by the summer festival season and increased foot traffic in public spaces. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category, accounting for 34.5% of all crimes, but this rate was 23% below the UK average of 2.9 per 1,000. The decrease in burglary (from 3 to 1 case) suggests that seasonal factors—such as school holidays and reduced indoor activity—may have deterred residential break-ins. Residents might find the 100% increase in theft from the person (from 1 to 2 cases) particularly concerning, as it underscores the need for vigilance in crowded areas during the summer months.

Wickford's crime rate in July 2024 rose 27.6% compared to the previous month, moving from 4.9 to 6.2 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though still below the UK average of 8.4, reflects a shift in crime patterns during the summer. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly six crimes per day over the month, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. When considering the monthly exposure, one reported crime occurred for every 160 residents, highlighting the relative safety of the area despite the upward trend. The population of 27,406 means that localised spikes—such as the 300% rise in possession of weapons—can have measurable impacts on community perceptions. The increase in violent crimes and public order offences aligns with the seasonal context of festivals and outdoor events, which may draw larger crowds and extend evening activity into areas with higher foot traffic. These factors, combined with the drop in burglary rates, suggest a combination of transient activity and local crime dynamics.