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

For every 1,000 residents in Southend-on-Sea, 8.1 crimes were reported in April 2024 — a rate 5.2% higher than the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This translates to a resident facing a 1-in-124 chance of being directly involved in a reported crime over the course of the month. The local crime picture is dominated by violent and sexual offences (38.3% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (9.3%) and public order offences (8.9%). These figures align with Southend’s character as a coastal town with a mix of residential areas, tourist attractions, and nightlife venues. Spring weather and the Easter period likely contributed to increased outdoor activity, which may explain the prominence of public order and anti-social behaviour reports. While violent crime rates remain 21% above the UK average, anti-social behaviour is 34% below the national figure — a contrast that may reflect the town’s relatively low levels of urban density compared to larger cities. The seasonal shift from winter to spring also appears to have influenced crime patterns, with shoplifting decreasing by 21.5% as Easter-related retail activity wound down, while burglary rates rose sharply, linked to warmer weather encouraging outdoor theft.

April 2024 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with burglary increasing by 50.9% compared to March (from 57 to 86 incidents). This rise, which outpaced the UK average by 56%, may be linked to the Easter holiday period, when unoccupied homes are more common. Conversely, shoplifting dropped by 21.5% (from 149 to 117 cases), potentially due to reduced retail footfall during the Easter break. Theft from the person also rose by 38.5% (from 13 to 18 incidents), a trend consistent with increased pedestrian activity during the spring season. Anti-social behaviour, which is 34% below the UK average, remained relatively low, suggesting the town’s community policing efforts may be effective in managing public disorder. Meanwhile, drug-related offences fell by 20.4% (from 54 to 43 cases), though this decline is not reflected in the UK-wide average for the category. The data highlights a stark contrast between violent crime (21% above the UK average) and property crime, which remains broadly in line with national trends. For residents, the most immediate concern appears to be the sharp increase in burglary — a 50% rise in just one month that underscores the need for enhanced home security measures during the spring season.

Southend-on-Sea’s crime rate in April 2024 (8.1 per 1,000 residents) represented an 8.8% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 8.8 per 1,000, marking a welcome decline after a period of elevated activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 50 reported crimes per day — a figure that, while lower than the previous month, still reflects the challenges of managing crime in a coastal town with a diverse population. Over the course of April, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 124 residents, a monthly aggregate that provides context for residents assessing their personal risk. This rate, though slightly above the UK average, is tempered by the town’s unique demographic profile: its mix of permanent residents, seasonal visitors, and students may contribute to both higher levels of violent crime and lower rates of anti-social behaviour compared to other areas. The 50.9% increase in burglary, for instance, could be attributed to the influx of temporary residents during the Easter holidays, while the 21.5% drop in shoplifting may reflect reduced retail activity during the same period. These fluctuations highlight the importance of considering both local and national trends when evaluating crime patterns in Southend-on-Sea.