Wickford Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Wickford’s crime rate in November 2024 stood at 5.8 crimes per 1,000 residents, marking a significant 23.7% reduction compared to the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000. This places the built-up area within Basildon among the safer urban centres in the country. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 30.6% of all reported incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson (15.0%) and shoplifting (13.8%). While these figures reflect a generally stable pattern, seasonal factors in November—such as the onset of dark evenings and the Black Friday shopping period—likely contributed to fluctuations in retail-related crimes. The area’s relatively low crime rate may be influenced by its suburban character, with a mix of residential and commercial zones that benefit from community policing initiatives and well-lit public spaces. However, the sharp rise in shoplifting during the month, coupled with the UK-wide trend of increasing vehicle crime, suggests that targeted retail security measures and improved lighting in car parks could further enhance safety. The overall decrease in violent crime compared to the UK average—specifically, violence and sexual offences being 30% below the national rate—may be partly explained by the area’s lower population density and the presence of family-oriented housing developments that reduce opportunities for such offences. This trend aligns with broader patterns observed in similar commuter belt suburbs, where community cohesion and local engagement initiatives appear to play a role in crime prevention.

November 2024 saw notable reductions in burglary and anti-social behaviour, with burglary falling by 58.8% compared to the previous month and anti-social behaviour dropping by 55.6%. These decreases may be linked to the start of the festive season, which often sees increased community vigilance and temporary retail security measures. Conversely, theft from the person rose by 100% (from 0 to 1 incident), a rare but concerning spike that could be attributed to the heightened foot traffic during Black Friday shopping. Vehicle crime also increased by 59% compared to the UK average, suggesting that parking areas around major retail hubs may require additional monitoring. The area’s violence and sexual offences rate—1.8 per 1,000—remained 30% below the UK average, a consistent trend that may reflect the presence of local support networks and community-led initiatives aimed at reducing domestic disputes. However, criminal damage and arson (0.9 per 1,000) exceeded the UK average by 58%, indicating that property-related offences remain a challenge in certain parts of the area. Residents may find the 18.8% monthly decline in overall crime rates—bringing the rate from 7.2 to 5.8 per 1,000—particularly reassuring, as it underscores the effectiveness of ongoing policing strategies in maintaining public safety.

Wickford’s crime rate in November 2024 (5.8 per 1,000) represented an 18.8% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.2 per 1,000, reflecting a sustained downward trend in criminal activity. This decline is particularly significant when viewed through the lens of daily crime statistics, with an average of five reported crimes per day across the built-up area. Over the course of the month, this translates to one reported crime for roughly every 171 residents—a figure that highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents in a population of 27,406. When compared to the UK average, Wickford’s performance is even more striking: its crime rate is 23.7% below the national figure, a gap that underscores the effectiveness of local crime prevention measures. This contrast is evident in categories such as anti-social behaviour, which saw a 64% reduction compared to the UK average, and violence and sexual offences, which were 30% below the national rate. However, the area is not without its challenges; categories like criminal damage and arson (58% above the UK average) and vehicle crime (59% above) indicate that certain types of crime remain concentrated in Wickford. These disparities may be linked to the area’s suburban layout, where isolated properties and car-dependent lifestyles create unique vulnerabilities. For residents, the combination of a low crime rate and targeted improvements in specific categories suggests that continued investment in community-based policing and infrastructure enhancements could further strengthen the area’s safety profile.