The question of why violence and sexual offences might appear prevalent in Great Wakering, despite other positive indicators, requires careful consideration of the available data. It’s important to clarify that while the term 'prevalent' is used, the actual crime rate provides a more nuanced picture. Great Wakering, classified as a Built-Up Area (BUA) within the Rochford district, has a population of 6529. The overall crime rate in Great Wakering stands at 58.5 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the national average of 91.6 per 1,000 residents.
It’s crucial to avoid interpreting this lower crime rate as absolute safety. The reference to violence and sexual offences specifically suggests a concern about these types of crimes, and while we don’t have specific breakdowns of crime types within Great Wakering’s data, the perception of prevalence likely stems from local concerns or anecdotal evidence. The reported safety score of 84/100, which is higher than the UK average of 79, indicates a generally positive perception of safety among residents. This discrepancy between the safety score and concerns regarding violence and sexual offences highlights the importance of considering both quantitative data (crime rates) and qualitative data (resident perceptions).
Several factors could contribute to these perceptions. Smaller communities can sometimes experience heightened awareness of crime due to close-knit social structures. Furthermore, media coverage, even if focused on isolated incidents, can create a sense of increased risk. It’s also possible that reporting rates for specific crimes, such as sexual offences, have increased, leading to a higher recorded incidence. Without more granular data on the specific types of crimes occurring in Great Wakering and the reasons behind reported incidents, it's challenging to definitively explain the perception of prevalence. It is important to remember that the provided data represents statistics up to the present moment and may not reflect long-term trends.