Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2023, Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded 248 crimes across a population of 22,519 residents, translating to a crime rate of 11.0 per 1,000 people. This figure is 52.8% above the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000, placing the area in stark contrast to national trends. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences (28.6% of total), followed by vehicle crime (18.2%) and shoplifting (13.3%). These patterns align with the area’s characteristics as a built-up part of Thurrock, where commuter traffic and retail activity likely contribute to vehicle-related incidents and theft. The seasonal context of December—dark evenings, holiday shopping, and empty homes—may have amplified certain crimes, such as shoplifting and robbery, while also creating conditions for anti-social behaviour to decline. Violence and sexual offences, though below the UK average in some categories, remain high compared to the national profile. Vehicle crime, at 3.2 per 1,000 for violence and sexual offences and 2.0 per 1,000 for vehicle crime, underscores the area’s vulnerability to crimes linked to transport infrastructure. The high rate of shoplifting (1.5 per 1,000) may reflect the presence of high-traffic retail zones, while the sharp increase in 'other crime' (from 1 to 3) suggests emerging patterns that require further analysis. Overall, the data highlights the combination of local demographics, infrastructure, and seasonal factors in shaping the area’s crime profile.

December 2023 marked sharp increases in several crime categories, including a 200% rise in 'other crime' and a 60% surge in theft from the person. These jumps may reflect unseasonal spikes in activities such as vandalism or opportunistic crimes during the holiday period. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 31.3% compared to November, possibly linked to increased police presence or retail security measures around Christmas. Vehicle crime remained exceptionally high, with a rate of 2.0 per 1,000—344% above the UK average—likely driven by the area’s commuter traffic and parking infrastructure. Robbery, at 4.4 per 1,000, was 400% above the UK average, indicating a pronounced vulnerability in certain local environments. Anti-social behaviour, however, was 35% below the UK average, suggesting that community initiatives or seasonal factors may have curbed such incidents during the festive period.

The crime rate for December 2023 in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock remained largely stable compared to November, with a 1.2% increase from 10.9 to 11.0 per 1,000 residents. This suggests continuity in local crime trends despite seasonal shifts. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 8 crimes per day over the 31-day period, highlighting the persistent nature of criminal activity in the built-up area. When scaled to the population of 22,519 residents, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 91 residents. This figure underscores the frequency of incidents relative to the community size, though it does not capture the variation in crime types or their distribution across the area. The population context further illustrates that 248 crimes over 22,519 residents equates to a rate that is 52.8% above the UK average, emphasizing the area’s distinct challenges compared to national benchmarks.