Billingham Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Billingham's crime profile in November 2023 reveals a marked imbalance between property and violent crime, with property-related offences accounting for 44% of all incidents compared to 30% for violent crimes. The overall crime rate of 10.5 per 1,000 residents places the area 40% above the UK average, a disparity that may partly reflect local factors such as the built-up nature of the area and seasonal influences. Violence and sexual offences (29.8% of total crimes) remain the most prevalent category, though this figure is 20% above the UK average. This suggests a persistent challenge with interpersonal crime, potentially linked to the area's role as a commuter hub and its proximity to larger urban centres. Meanwhile, property crimes such as criminal damage and arson (20.8% of total) are high, 273% above the UK average for that category. This could be consistent with the impact of seasonal factors like Bonfire Night, which may heighten opportunities for arson, or the increased footfall during Black Friday shopping, which might contribute to property-related incidents. The breakdown also shows anti-social behaviour (14.9%) and other theft (11.8%) as significant contributors, both well above UK averages. These patterns align with the characteristics of a built-up area within Stockton-on-Tees, where commercial activity and residential density may intersect to create conditions conducive to certain crime types. The relatively low rates of vehicle crime (60% below UK average) and theft from the person (100% below UK average) suggest that targeted prevention efforts or environmental design features in the area may be mitigating these risks. However, the overall elevation in crime compared to the UK average underscores the need for sustained community engagement and policing strategies tailored to local dynamics.

November 2023 saw sharp fluctuations in specific crime categories, with robbery increasing by 100% (from 0 to 4 incidents) and other theft rising by 44.8% (29 to 42). These spikes may reflect the timing of Black Friday shopping, which could have created temporary vulnerabilities in retail environments. Conversely, bicycle theft plummeted by 83.3% (from 6 to 1), a reduction that might be attributed to seasonal factors such as colder weather reducing cycling activity. The balance between property and violent crimes remains a defining feature of the area's crime profile, with property-related incidents (44%) outpacing violent crimes (30%). This dynamic is particularly notable given the UK average for violent crime (2.6 per 1,000) compared to Billingham's figure of 3.1 per 1,000. The dominance of property crimes is further underscored by the 273% above UK average rate for criminal damage and arson, which may be partially explained by the timing of Bonfire Night events in late November. For residents, the sharp increase in robbery is a critical data point, as it represents a 100% rise in a category that typically accounts for less than 1% of total crimes. This suggests that targeted interventions in high-risk locations during peak shopping periods could be a priority for local authorities.

Billingham's crime rate in November 2023 (10.5 per 1,000) marked a 7% decrease from the previous month's rate of 11.3 per 1,000, a decline that may reflect seasonal shifts in activity patterns or the impact of targeted policing efforts. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 12 crimes per day over the month, a figure that provides context for the frequency of incidents in a built-up area. When scaled to the population of 34,045, this equates to one reported crime occurring for every 96 residents over the course of November—a monthly exposure rate that is higher than the UK average, though the exact UK figure is not provided for this metric. This monthly aggregate highlights the cumulative impact of crime on local residents, particularly in an area where property crimes and anti-social behaviour are elevated. The 40% gap between Billingham's rate and the UK average (7.5 per 1,000) remains a significant concern, especially when considering that the area's population is comparable to other similarly sized built-up areas in the North East. This comparison underscores the need for tailored strategies to address the unique challenges faced by Billingham, such as the high incidence of criminal damage and arson, which are 273% above the UK average. While the month-on-month decline is a positive development, the persistent elevation in crime relative to national benchmarks suggests that systemic issues may require more comprehensive solutions.