The perception of high violence and sexual offence rates in Elmstead Market, Tendring, stems from a comparison of its crime statistics with the national average. The area, classified as a Built-Up Area (BUA) with a population of 1552, currently exhibits a crime rate of 48.3 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is considerably lower than the UK average of 91.6 incidents per 1,000.
It's vital to understand how seemingly high crime rates can be influenced by small population sizes. A relatively small number of incidents can significantly impact the crime rate per 1,000 when the population is small. For example, just a few more reported incidents would disproportionately increase the rate. While the raw number of crimes might not be exceptionally high, the rate calculation makes it appear so when viewed in isolation.
Interestingly, Elmstead Market boasts a safety score of 87/100, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 79. This suggests that, despite the reported crime rate, residents generally perceive the area as relatively safe. This discrepancy between the crime rate statistic and the safety score highlights the importance of considering resident perception and potentially factors not fully captured in crime statistics.
It's also important to remember that crime statistics reflect reported incidents. Factors like improved reporting mechanisms or increased police visibility could also contribute to higher reported crime rates, not necessarily indicating a genuine increase in criminal activity. Further investigation into the specific types of violence and sexual offences occurring would be needed to provide a more detailed understanding of the situation. Understanding the specific types of crime contributing to this rate is essential for targeted preventative measures.