Billingham Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

May 2024 in Billingham saw a crime rate of 12.1 per 1,000 residents, 44% above the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This stark divergence from national trends highlights the area's unique crime profile. The most prevalent offences were violence and sexual offences (27.7% of total crimes), followed by anti-social behaviour (24.3%) and criminal damage and arson (12.2%). These figures suggest a pattern of interpersonal and property-related incidents that may be influenced by the built-up nature of the area. Seasonal factors, such as longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising during May, likely contributed to the elevated levels of violence and anti-social behaviour. The rise in 'Criminal damage and arson' (1.5 per 1,000) compared to the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000 further indicates a localised challenge in managing public disorder. While the UK average for 'Violence and sexual offences' is 2.8 per 1,000, Billingham's rate of 3.4 per 1,000 shows a 20% excess, consistent with the area's urban character and potential pressures from transient populations or economic factors. The overall crime rate, though higher than the UK average, reflects a combination of local demographics, urban density, and seasonal activity patterns that require targeted community engagement strategies.

The most striking anomaly in May 2024 was the 140% increase in 'Other crime' cases, rising from 5 to 12. This category, which includes unclassified or less common offences, saw a dramatic upward trend not mirrored by other types. Concurrently, 'Drugs' offences rose by 133.3%, from 3 to 7, indicating a potential shift in criminal activity patterns. In contrast, 'Bicycle theft' fell by 66.7% (from 3 to 1), possibly reflecting seasonal changes or improved security measures. The breakdown of crime types reveals that Billingham's rate of 'Violence and sexual offences' (3.4 per 1,000) is 20% above the UK average, while 'Anti-social behaviour' (2.9 per 1,000) is 100% above the national figure. These disparities suggest a localised concentration of certain crime types that diverge significantly from the UK profile. For residents, the sharp rise in 'Other crime' may warrant closer attention to community-specific issues not captured by standard categorisations.

Billingham's crime rate in May 2024 rose to 12.1 per 1,000 residents, a 23% increase from 9.8 per 1,000 in April. This places the area 44% above the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, highlighting a stark local divergence. On a daily basis, 13 crimes were reported each day in May, a figure that, while not directly comparable to national averages, illustrates the density of incidents in this built-up area. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 83 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the frequency of incidents in a community of 34,045 people. When contextualised against the population size, this rate suggests a higher-than-expected concentration of crime compared to broader UK trends, though local factors such as urban density and seasonal activity patterns may contribute to this disparity. The comparison with April also reveals a significant shift in the crime profile, with certain categories showing marked fluctuations.