Thundersley and South Benfleet Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 48,269, 222 crimes were reported in Thundersley and South Benfleet during January 2024, translating to a crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 37.8% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, reflecting a relatively low level of criminal activity compared to national benchmarks. The breakdown of crimes reveals that violence and sexual offences accounted for 36% of the total, followed by vehicle crime (16.7%) and criminal damage and arson (10.4%). This distribution suggests a focus on property-related and personal safety concerns, consistent with the area’s built-up character and proximity to transport networks. The seasonal context of January—characterised by shorter days, reduced retail footfall, and post-holiday transitions—may partly explain the observed fluctuations. For example, the rise in vehicle crime could be linked to increased traffic congestion during peak travel periods, while the decline in drug-related offences may reflect seasonal lulls in illicit activity. The area’s crime profile also highlights a notable divergence from the UK average in specific categories, such as anti-social behaviour (70% below the UK average) and shoplifting (47% below), which may indicate effective local policing strategies or community engagement efforts. However, the persistent elevation of vehicle crime compared to the UK average suggests that targeted interventions in this area remain necessary. The overall crime rate, while low, underscores the importance of understanding how local factors—such as demographics, infrastructure, and seasonal rhythms—interact to shape crime patterns. This analysis provides a foundation for further exploration into the drivers of crime in Thundersley and South Benfleet, ensuring that community concerns are addressed through evidence-based approaches.

January 2024 saw a 500% increase in 'other crime' reports, jumping from 1 to 6 incidents—a sharp shift that may reflect changes in reporting practices or unclassified activities. Theft from the person and bicycle theft each doubled compared to December, though these remain low in absolute terms. Concurrently, drug-related offences fell by 80%, from 5 to 1, a decline that may be linked to seasonal factors or targeted interventions. Vehicle crime remained 60% above the UK average, with 37 incidents reported, highlighting a persistent challenge in this category. Violence and sexual offences, at 80 cases, were 35% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, indicating a relatively safer environment for this category. Anti-social behaviour and shoplifting each saw reductions of 70% and 47% respectively, suggesting a shift in crime dynamics that could be influenced by local initiatives or changing community engagement.

The crime rate for Thundersley and South Benfleet in January 2024 rose to 4.6 per 1,000 residents, a 12.2% increase from December 2023’s 4.1 per 1,000. This upward trend aligns with seasonal patterns observed in similar built-up areas, where post-holiday periods often see fluctuations in criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 7 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of criminal activity within the community. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 217 residents, underscoring the relatively low frequency of crime in this population of 48,269. While the overall rate remains 37.8% below the UK average, the rise in January suggests a need for continued monitoring of local patterns. This monthly exposure rate, when scaled to the area’s population, indicates that residents face a manageable level of risk, though the upward trend may warrant additional attention to emerging crime types.