Thundersley and South Benfleet Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 48,269 residents, 178 crimes reported in January 2026 translate to a rate of 3.7 per 1,000 people—45.6% below the UK average of 6.8. This represents a consistently low crime profile compared to national trends, with the area’s crime rate remaining stable year-on-year. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41.6% of all reported incidents (74 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (12.4%) and burglary (9.6%). These figures reflect a pattern consistent with a built-up area where community-focused policing and local initiatives may contribute to sustained low-level crime prevention. Seasonal factors in January—post-holiday lulls, shorter daylight hours, and reduced retail footfall—likely influence crime patterns, with fewer shoplifting incidents (6.7% of total) compared to other months. The area’s crime mix appears to be driven by interpersonal disputes and low-level disorder, rather than property-related offences, which are significantly below UK averages for categories like vehicle crime (73% below) and public order offences (76% below). This suggests a community where social cohesion and local policing efforts may play a role in maintaining lower levels of violent and disruptive crime.

January 2026 saw notable month-on-month changes, with drug-related offences surging by 120% (5 to 11 cases), robbery doubling from 0 to 1 incident, and possession of weapons rising by 100% (0 to 3 cases). These increases contrast with declines in public order offences (-64.3%, 14 to 5) and other crime (-57.1%, 7 to 3), indicating shifting dynamics in local criminal activity. The area’s violent crime rate (1.5 per 1,000) is 40% below the UK average for this category, while anti-social behaviour (0.5 per 1,000) is 46% below national levels. However, burglary (0.4 per 1,000) is 43% above the UK average of 0.3, suggesting vulnerabilities in residential security that may require targeted interventions. The sharp rise in drug offences could reflect increased illicit activity linked to post-holiday economic pressures or expanded networks in the area. Residents might find the 120% increase in drug-related crimes particularly relevant, as it indicates a potential need for community support services or law enforcement focus on this category.

The crime rate in January 2026 remained stable compared to December 2025, with no significant change (0.5% difference) in the overall rate of 3.7 per 1,000 residents. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 6 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that contextualises the low-level nature of incidents in this built-up area. Monthly exposure calculations show that over the course of January, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 271 residents, a ratio that underscores the relatively safe environment compared to national benchmarks. When scaled to the population of 48,269, the 178 crimes recorded represent a manageable burden for local policing resources, particularly given the area’s consistently low crime profile. This is especially evident in categories like vehicle crime (73% below UK average) and public order offences (76% below), which suggest that the community’s infrastructure and social norms may deter certain types of criminal activity. However, the 43% above UK average for burglary highlights a specific vulnerability that could benefit from targeted crime prevention strategies, such as improved residential security measures or community engagement initiatives focused on property crime.