Southend-on-Sea Crime Rate April 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In April 2024, Southend-on-Sea’s crime rate of 8.1 per 1,000 residents placed it 5.2% above the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This figure, while not alarmingly high, translates to a daily risk of encountering a crime for roughly one in every 124 residents over the course of the month—a metric that, for a coastal town with a population of 185,256, underscores the tangible impact of crime on everyday life. The most significant contributors to the total were violence and sexual offences (38.3% of all crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (9.3%) and public order incidents (8.9%). These patterns align with Southend’s character as a tourist destination and commuter hub, where high foot traffic and seasonal events like Easter can amplify opportunities for certain types of crime. The rate of violence and sexual offences, at 3.1 per 1,000, was 21% higher than the UK average, a disparity that may reflect the town’s mix of permanent residents and transient visitors. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour—often linked to late-night activity in the town’s nightlife areas—was 34% below the UK average, suggesting that local policing or community engagement efforts may be effectively addressing this category. The seasonal context of April, with its Easter celebrations and milder weather, likely contributed to a surge in outdoor activities and public gatherings, increasing exposure to crimes such as theft from the person and public order violations. However, the overall crime rate’s proximity to the UK average indicates that Southend’s security profile is broadly in line with national trends, albeit with specific local emphases.

April 2024 saw a 50.9% increase in burglary cases compared to March, with 86 reported incidents—up from 57. This sharp rise may be linked to warmer spring weather encouraging outdoor activities and potentially leaving properties more vulnerable during the day. Conversely, shoplifting decreased by 21.5% (from 149 to 117), due to Easter-related retail strategies or increased police presence in high-traffic areas. Violent crimes, which accounted for 38.3% of total incidents, remained 21% above the UK average (3.1 per 1,000 vs 2.6 per 1,000), a disparity that could reflect Southend’s status as a tourist destination with higher concentrations of transient populations. Theft from the person rose by 38.5% (from 13 to 18), a figure that might concern residents frequenting public transport or coastal pathways. These shifts suggest a combination of seasonal activity and localized crime hotspots.

Southend-on-Sea’s crime rate in April 2024 (8.1 per 1,000 residents) marked an 8.8% decrease from March’s 8.8 per 1,000, reflecting a slight but notable shift in local crime dynamics. Daily crime activity averaged 50 incidents per day, a figure that, while not uncommon for a coastal town with high foot traffic and seasonal tourism, underscores the need for consistent vigilance. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 124 residents—a monthly exposure rate that, when contextualised against the area’s population of 185,256, highlights the frequency of incidents in a community where public spaces and transport hubs are central to daily life. This rate is not isolated to specific demographics but is instead distributed across the district, with retail zones, transport corridors, and residential areas all contributing to the overall tally. The population-scaled perspective reveals that, while the rate is above the UK average, the decrease from March suggests potential stability in policing strategies or seasonal factors influencing crime patterns.