Wickford Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Wickford, 5.7 crimes were reported in January 2026, placing the area 16.2% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This translates to a daily risk of approximately 5 crimes per day, with 1 in 175 residents experiencing a reported crime over the course of the month. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 30.6% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (25.5%) and vehicle crime (7.6%). These figures suggest a combination of local demographics and environmental factors. Wickford’s crime profile appears to reflect its status as a mixed-use urban area with a strong retail presence, which may partly explain the relatively high proportion of anti-social behaviour and violence. However, the area’s overall safety compared to the UK average could indicate effective community policing or lower population density than other urban centres. Seasonally, January’s reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours may have contributed to a lower volume of shoplifting and public order offences typically associated with busier periods. The data also highlights a notable gap between local and national trends in specific categories, such as anti-social behaviour, which exceeds the UK average by 61%.

January 2026 saw a dramatic 100% increase in vehicle crime, with incidents rising from 6 to 12. This surge may reflect post-holiday traffic patterns or targeted thefts in parking areas. Bicycle theft also doubled to 2 incidents, a sharp contrast to the previous month’s zero reports, though this could be an anomaly rather than a trend. Conversely, burglary fell by 54.5%, from 11 to 5, linked to holiday-related security measures or seasonal changes in residential activity. Anti-social behaviour remained a concern, with rates 61% above the UK average, suggesting local challenges in managing public spaces. Meanwhile, shoplifting decreased by 30% compared to the UK average, due to reduced retail footfall during the post-holiday period. The area’s violence and sexual offences rate (1.8 per 1,000) was 28% below the UK average, indicating a relatively safer environment for residents in this category. These fluctuations underscore the importance of context-specific factors in shaping crime patterns, with no single explanation accounting for all changes.

Wickford’s crime rate remained stable at 5.7 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, matching the previous month’s figure exactly. This consistency suggests no significant short-term shifts in overall safety. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 5 crimes per day, a figure that, while modest, highlights the ongoing need for vigilance. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 175 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while low compared to the UK average, may feel more pronounced in specific neighbourhoods. The population context is critical: with 27,406 residents, Wickford’s relatively low crime rate reflects a balance between urban density and community-specific factors. However, the disparity in specific categories—such as anti-social behaviour being 61% above the UK average—reveals targeted challenges that may require tailored interventions. This data illustrates an area that is broadly safer than the UK average but faces localized pressures in certain crime types. Understanding these nuances helps residents contextualize their personal risk and informs community efforts to address specific issues.