Thundersley and South Benfleet Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For an area of 48,269 residents, 206 crimes were recorded in January 2025, translating to a crime rate of 4.3 per 1,000 people—39.4% below the UK average of 7.1. This figure underscores the relatively low crime profile of Thundersley and South Benfleet, a built-up area within Castle Point. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (81 incidents, 39.3% of total), shoplifting (22 incidents), and vehicle crime (22 incidents). These patterns align with seasonal factors typical of January: a post-holiday lull in retail footfall, shorter daylight hours reducing opportunities for outdoor crimes, and lower tourist activity. The dominance of violent crimes over property crimes contrasts with broader UK trends, where property-related offences often lead. However, this area’s proximity to key transport hubs and local amenities may contribute to higher rates of vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.5 per 1,000, but Thundersley and South Benfleet’s rate of 1.7 per 1,000 is 32% below this, suggesting effective local policing or community engagement strategies. The lower-than-average rates for shoplifting (19% below UK average) and criminal damage (22% below) may reflect the area’s relatively stable residential character and limited high-traffic retail zones. These findings highlight a combination of local demographics, infrastructure, and seasonal rhythms that shape crime patterns.

January 2025 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories. Bicycle theft surged by 100%, rising from zero to three incidents—a stark increase likely linked to colder weather driving more indoor activity and reduced bike storage visibility. Robbery also doubled, from one to two incidents. Other crime increased by 100%, with four reports, potentially reflecting underreported or newly emerging issues. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 26.7% (from 30 to 22), possibly due to reduced holiday-related traffic or improved security measures. Burglary dropped by 23.1% (from 13 to 10), aligning with the post-holiday period and lower seasonal demand for residential break-ins. The area’s vehicle crime rate (0.5 per 1,000) is 22% above the UK average, suggesting vulnerabilities in parking infrastructure or vehicle security. In contrast, anti-social behaviour (0.2 per 1,000) is 80% below the UK average, a figure that may reflect the community’s strong social cohesion or effective local interventions. These shifts illustrate the dynamic nature of crime, influenced by both micro-level factors and broader demographic trends.

The crime rate in January 2025 (4.3 per 1,000) marks a 5.9% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.5, indicating a slight downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately seven crimes per day—a rate that, while non-trivial, remains manageable for a community of 48,269 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 234 residents, a figure that contextualizes the monthly exposure in human terms. This rate is significantly lower than the UK average, which highlights the area’s relative safety. When scaled to the local population, the 206 total crimes equate to about 0.4% of the population being directly affected, a proportion that is lower than the UK’s typical crime exposure. The stability of the rate, despite fluctuations in specific categories, suggests that local factors—such as community policing initiatives or the area’s built environment—are contributing to sustained low crime levels. Residents may find reassurance in these figures, though the rise in bicycle theft and robbery underscores the need for targeted awareness campaigns in those areas.