Thundersley and South Benfleet Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

February 2024 marked a significant shift in crime patterns for Thundersley and South Benfleet, a built-up area within Castle Point. The overall crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 residents — 32.4% below the UK average — underscores the area’s relative safety. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 38.3% of all incidents (88 cases), followed by vehicle crime (15.2%) and shoplifting (8.3%). This distribution suggests a mix of urban and suburban characteristics, where proximity to transport hubs may drive vehicle-related crimes, while community dynamics influence violent incidents. Seasonal context plays a role: as a winter month, February typically sees lower outdoor activity, which may contribute to the modest 3.5% increase in the overall rate compared to January. However, the sharp rise in drug-related offences — a category that surged by 500% — defies seasonal expectations. This anomaly may reflect unexplained changes in local drug markets or policing priorities, though no definitive causal link can be established. The area’s violent crime rate (1.8 per 1,000) is 28% below the UK average, a figure that aligns with the area’s likely demographic profile of a stable, low-density built-up zone. Vehicle crime, however, remains a persistent concern, with rates 59% above the UK average, linked to commuter traffic or parking infrastructure. The lower rates of anti-social behaviour (62% below UK average) and burglary (equal to UK average) suggest effective community engagement or environmental design measures. Overall, February’s data illustrates an area with generally low crime, punctuated by unexpected spikes in specific categories that warrant further local analysis.

February 2024 saw a dramatic 500% increase in drug-related crimes, rising from one incident in January to six. This spike, while statistically significant, may reflect seasonal shifts in illicit activity or changes in law enforcement focus. Public order offences also doubled, reaching 14 incidents — a 100% increase from January — suggesting heightened tensions or events in the area. Meanwhile, shoplifting rose by 58.3%, climbing from 12 to 19 cases. This contrasts with a 26% UK-wide advantage in shoplifting rates for the area, indicating local factors such as retail patterns or policing effectiveness may be at play. Vehicle crime, however, remained 59% above the UK average, highlighting a persistent challenge in this category. The decline in criminal damage and arson by 52.2% (from 23 to 11 cases) may align with the winter months’ reduced outdoor activity. Residents may find the 1-in-210 monthly exposure rate useful for contextualising local crime risks.

Thundersley and South Benfleet’s crime rate rose slightly in February 2024, from 4.6 to 4.8 per 1,000 residents — a 3.5% increase over the previous month. This places the area well below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, with the gap remaining substantial. Locally, the average resident faces roughly one reported crime for every 210 people over the course of the month, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure rate of 1-in-210. Daily crime trends show 8 incidents reported per day, a figure that, while consistent with historical patterns, may reflect seasonal lulls in outdoor activity typical of February. The population context further highlights the area’s relative safety: with 48,269 residents, the low crime rate suggests effective local policing or community engagement strategies. Comparing February to other months, the winter season’s impact on outdoor crime may have contributed to the modest rise in reported incidents, particularly in categories like public order and drugs.