Great Wakering Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

February 2026 marked a significant departure from the usual seasonal lull in crime for Great Wakering, a built-up area within Rochford. The overall crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents placed the area 4.7% below the UK average, a modest but notable gap. However, the distribution of crime types revealed stark contrasts: violence and sexual offences accounted for 32.5% of all crimes, followed by burglary (20.0%) and vehicle crime (12.5%). These figures align with the area’s characteristics as a small urban centre, where property crime and personal safety concerns are more pronounced. The seasonal context of February—typically a low point for outdoor activity—did not fully materialise in the data, as the sharp increases in criminal damage and arson, drugs, and other theft suggest a departure from expected patterns. While the drop in violence and sexual offences by 13.3% may reflect temporary factors such as weather or local events, the surge in property-related crimes highlights persistent vulnerabilities. The relatively low overall rate compared to the UK average may be attributed to the area’s smaller population and limited commercial density, though the 380% gap in burglary rates indicates specific challenges. These trends warrant careful monitoring, as they could signal shifts in criminal behaviour or unmet community needs that require targeted interventions.

February 2026 saw a stark reversal in crime trends, with three categories experiencing 100% increases compared to January: criminal damage and arson, drugs, and other theft. These jumps—particularly in criminal damage and arson, which doubled from one to two incidents—suggest a shift in criminal focus that may reflect seasonal or environmental factors. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences dropped by 13.3%, a decrease that, while modest, contrasts with the overall upward trend. The area’s burglary rate, at 1.2 per 1,000, was 380% above the UK average, a discrepancy that may be linked to the built-up nature of Great Wakering and its proximity to Rochford, where property crime is more concentrated. Vehicle crime also surged, with a 129% increase over the UK average, tied to the area’s road networks and commuter traffic. These figures underscore the need for targeted measures, such as increased patrols in high-risk zones or community engagement to address underlying causes.

The crime rate in Great Wakering rose sharply from 3.5 to 6.1 per 1,000 residents between January and February 2026, marking a 74.1% increase. This jump contrasts with the area’s usual seasonal patterns, which typically see a pre-spring lull in crime during winter months. On a daily basis, the 40 reported crimes in February equate to roughly one crime per day, a figure that, while low, reflects a sudden uptick in activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 163 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while below the UK average in some categories, highlights a concentrated spike in specific offences. The population of 6,529 residents means that the 40 crimes reported were distributed across a relatively small community, potentially amplifying their visibility. This shift raises questions about whether transient factors—such as changes in local events, weather, or temporary disruptions—may have contributed to the rise.