Benson Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violent crimes dominated Benson's crime profile in November 2023, accounting for 52.6% of all incidents reported. This category, which includes violence and sexual offences, saw a rate of 1.5 per 1,000 residents — 42% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. The overall crime rate for the built-up area stood at 2.9 per 1,000 residents, placing it 61.3% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This stark contrast reflects Benson's character as a low-density urban area with limited nightlife and commercial activity compared to larger cities. Seasonal factors likely played a role, with Bonfire Night and Black Friday shopping potentially contributing to increased social interactions that could influence crime patterns. Property crimes, though lower than violent crimes, remained at 0.3 per 1,000 for other theft — 52% below the UK average. The area's low crime rate may be partly attributable to its suburban nature, with fewer high-traffic retail zones or densely populated housing blocks that typically correlate with higher crime rates. However, the dominance of violent crimes over property crimes suggests a different dynamic at play, linked to local demographics or community interactions.

November 2023 saw notable increases in three specific crime categories: burglary, criminal damage and arson, and other crime — each rising by 100% from the previous month. This surge in 'other crime' (3 incidents) pushed its rate to 0.5 per 1,000 residents, 285% above the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. While violent crimes remained the largest category, their rate of 1.5 per 1,000 was still 42% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences. The shift in crime mix highlights a departure from usual patterns, with property crimes accounting for just 26% of all incidents compared to 52.6% for violent crimes. This imbalance may be influenced by the month's seasonal context, as dark evenings and Bonfire Night events could have increased opportunities for interpersonal conflicts. The rate of 'other theft' (0.3 per 1,000) was 52% below the UK average, suggesting that while property crimes occurred, they were not concentrated in high-risk areas like retail centres or transport hubs. Residents may find the 100% increase in burglary particularly concerning, as it represents the first recorded incident in the month for this category.

Benson's November 2023 crime rate of 2.9 per 1,000 residents marked a 26.8% increase from the previous month's rate of 2.3 per 1,000. This rise, though modest in absolute terms, translates to a daily crime count of approximately 1 incident per day over the 30-day period — a figure that may feel more tangible to local residents. On a monthly basis, this equates to one reported crime for every 341 residents, a ratio that underscores the area's relatively low crime exposure compared to national averages. When viewed through the lens of population context, Benson's small size (6,483 residents) means that even a single incident can have a noticeable impact on community perceptions. The previous month's rate was 2.3 per 1,000, which would have corresponded to one crime for every 434 residents — highlighting the shift in November's figures. While the increase is statistically significant, it remains well below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000, reinforcing Benson's position as a safer area. The monthly exposure metric provides a useful benchmark for residents, illustrating that the likelihood of experiencing a crime in Benson is considerably lower than in most other parts of the country.