Great Wakering Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

With a population of 6,529, Great Wakering recorded 31 crimes in December 2023, translating to a crime rate of 4.8 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 33.3% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000, indicating a relatively safer environment compared to the national trend. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 54.8% of all reported incidents (17 cases), followed by criminal damage and arson (12.9%) and public order offences (12.9%). These patterns may be influenced by seasonal factors, such as the Christmas shopping peak, dark evenings, and the temporary absence of residents during the holiday season, which could leave homes unoccupied and increase opportunities for certain crimes. The rate of violence and sexual offences in the area is 1% below the UK average, suggesting a lower incidence of violent crime relative to other parts of the country. However, public order offences in Great Wakering are 25% above the UK average, which may reflect local dynamics such as increased social gatherings or community events during the festive period. The relatively low crime rate overall, despite the seasonal context, could be attributed to the area’s character as a built-up area within Rochford, benefiting from community engagement, local policing strategies, or the absence of high-risk environments such as large retail hubs or heavy nightlife activity. This combination of factors likely contributes to the area’s position as one of the safer regions in the UK, though targeted efforts may still be needed to address the specific challenges highlighted by the data.

December 2023 saw notable shifts in crime patterns in Great Wakering, with some categories rising sharply while others declined. Violence and sexual offences fell by 32% compared to the previous month, decreasing from 25 to 17 cases. This decline may be linked to the holiday season, where increased community cohesion or reduced public activity could contribute to lower rates of violent incidents. Conversely, criminal damage and arson, public order offences, and possession of weapons all saw 100% increases, rising from 2 to 4, 0 to 4, and 0 to 1 cases respectively. These spikes could be attributed to seasonal factors such as property neglect during the holidays or increased social gatherings that lead to public disorder. The area’s rate of public order offences is 25% above the UK average, highlighting a localised challenge that may require focused interventions. In contrast, vehicle crime and other thefts fell by 66.7% and 66% respectively, suggesting that efforts to secure vehicles or reduce opportunities for theft may have had a measurable impact. For residents, the sharp rise in public order offences may be a particularly relevant concern, as these incidents often occur in public spaces and can affect the overall sense of safety in the community. The area’s performance against the UK average for specific categories, such as the 150% above average rate for 'other crime,' further underscores the need for targeted analysis of these trends.

In December 2023, the crime rate in Great Wakering dropped by 13.8% compared to the previous month, decreasing from 5.5 to 4.8 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with the broader seasonal context of the festive period, where factors such as reduced public activity and increased community engagement may contribute to lower crime rates. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 1 crime per day, a figure that reflects the relatively low overall crime rate and the small population size. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 211 residents, illustrating the low frequency of incidents relative to the local population. When compared to the UK average, this monthly exposure rate highlights the area’s position as a significantly safer region, with the overall crime rate being 33.3% below the national figure. However, the comparison also reveals specific categories where the area diverges from the UK average, such as the 25% higher rate of public order offences and the 150% higher rate for 'other crime.' These discrepancies suggest that while the area benefits from a generally low crime environment, certain challenges persist that may require tailored strategies. For residents, the monthly exposure rate of 1-in-211 provides a tangible sense of the likelihood of encountering crime, reinforcing the idea that the area remains one of the safer places to live in the UK despite the seasonal fluctuations observed in December.