Rochford Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 89,815, Rochford recorded 367 crimes in April 2024, translating to 4.1 crimes per 1,000 residents. This rate is 46.8% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, reflecting a safer environment compared to the national picture. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 36.2% of the total, followed by vehicle crime (10.9%) and criminal damage and arson (8.5%). These figures align with Rochford’s character as a mixed-area district with a combination of urban and rural elements, where community-focused policing and lower population density may contribute to reduced property crime rates. Seasonal factors in April—such as Easter-related activity and warmer weather—likely influenced the crime profile, with increased outdoor activity potentially driving some violent incidents and shoplifting spikes. However, the overall low rate suggests effective local crime prevention strategies, though the prominence of violence and sexual offences indicates targeted challenges that may require further attention.

April 2024 saw notable shifts in crime trends, with bicycle theft rising by 100% (from 1 to 2 incidents) and shoplifting increasing by 80% (from 15 to 27). These jumps may reflect Easter-related shopping activity or seasonal mobility patterns. Conversely, robbery and theft from the person both fell, with robbery dropping by 50% (from 2 to 1) and theft from the person declining by 33.3% (from 3 to 2). The crime mix also showed significant divergence from UK averages: violence and sexual offences were 41% below the national rate, while vehicle crime was 6% above. This contrast highlights Rochford’s unique dynamics, where lower rates of anti-social behaviour (75% below UK average) and public order offences (43% below) suggest strong community cohesion or effective policing in high-traffic areas. A resident might find the 80% rise in shoplifting particularly relevant, as it could indicate targeted retail crime during the Easter period.

Rochford’s crime rate in April 2024 (4.1 per 1,000) marked a 13.0% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 4.7 per 1,000, reflecting a consistent downward trend. On a daily basis, this equated to roughly 12 crimes reported each day in the district, a figure that may seem high to some residents but remains well below the UK average when scaled to Rochford’s population. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 245 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of criminal activity in the area. When compared to the UK average, Rochford’s performance is striking: its rate of violence and sexual offences is 41% below the national figure, and anti-social behaviour is 75% below. This suggests that local initiatives—whether through community engagement, policing strategies, or environmental design—may be effectively reducing crime in ways that diverge from broader national patterns. The population context also means that even seemingly high numbers (like 367 total crimes) are proportionally modest when distributed across 90,000 residents.