Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2024, Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock recorded 178 crimes for a population of 22,519, equating to a crime rate of 7.9 per 1,000 residents—11.3% above the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This figure translates to roughly one crime for every 127 residents over the course of the month, a statistic that contextualises the impact of crime on local households. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (29.2% of total), followed by vehicle crime (16.9%) and shoplifting (14.0%), each of which reflects the area’s urban characteristics and proximity to transport networks. Violence and sexual offences, though above the UK average in volume, occurred at a rate 10% below the national average, suggesting effective local interventions or demographic differences. Vehicle crime, however, stood out as 225% above the UK average, a disparity that may be linked to the area’s commuter infrastructure and the concentration of vehicles in residential and commercial zones. Shoplifting, at 93% above the UK average, aligns with the presence of retail hubs and the seasonal pressures of Christmas shopping, which may have amplified opportunistic activity. These patterns are consistent with the built-up nature of the area and its role as a transport corridor, where high foot and vehicle traffic create environments conducive to certain crime types. The seasonal context of December—dark evenings, holiday-related disruptions, and the absence of some residents—may have further influenced crime dynamics, though the exact causal links remain complex. Overall, the data illustrates a mixed picture: while the area’s crime rate exceeds the UK average, specific categories highlight both vulnerabilities and potential areas for targeted policing or community engagement.

December witnessed sharp declines in shoplifting (-45.7%) and burglary (-50.0%), likely influenced by holiday-related retail closures and reduced foot traffic. Conversely, robbery increased by 50.0% and theft from the person rose by 25.0%, suggesting heightened vulnerability during festive evenings or targeted opportunistic activity. Vehicle crime, at 1.3 per 1,000, remains an outlier—225% above the UK average—potentially linked to the area’s commuter infrastructure and high vehicle density. Anti-social behaviour. higher than the previous month, remains below the UK average by 26%, a contrast that may reflect community policing efforts or local cultural norms. These shifts illustrate how seasonal factors, such as Christmas shopping and darker evenings, can reshape crime patterns, even as long-term trends persist.

The crime rate in December 2024 (7.9 per 1,000) marks a 22.6% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 10.2 per 1,000, reflecting a notable shift in local crime dynamics. Over the course of December, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 127 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure for households in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately six crimes per day, a rate that aligns with the built-up nature of the region and its proximity to major transport hubs. This daily frequency, while lower than the UK average, highlights the concentrated nature of crime in urbanised areas. The population-scaled perspective reveals that, despite the 11.3% above-UK-average rate, the absolute number of crimes remains manageable relative to the area’s size. This contrast underscores the importance of localised factors—such as retail density and transport infrastructure—in shaping crime patterns, even when broader national trends differ.