Crime in Wickford: statistics, rates and trends
1,856 crimes were recorded in Wickford in the 12 months to July 2026, 66.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Wickford at a glance
- Crime trends in Wickford
- Types of crime in Wickford
- Wickford compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Wickford
- Streets with the most crime in Wickford
- What happened after crimes were reported in Wickford
- Population and deprivation in Wickford
- Questions about crime in Wickford
- About this data
1,856 crimes were recorded in Wickford in the 12 months to July 2026, 66.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 566 reports (30% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Wickford has the 850th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Wickford | Basildon | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,856 | 19,018 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 66.3 | 98.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +3% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 28,014 | 193,632 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Wickford was highest in the year to July 2021 (2,295 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (1,678). Over the whole period it fell 9%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 1,856 | 66.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,809 | 64.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,678 | 59.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,910 | 68.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,235 | 79.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,295 | 81.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,251 | 80.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,128 | 76.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,034 | 72.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 170 |
| June 2026 | 175 |
| May 2026 | 172 |
| April 2026 | 170 |
| March 2026 | 197 |
| February 2026 | 109 |
| January 2026 | 157 |
| December 2025 | 157 |
| November 2025 | 127 |
| October 2025 | 147 |
| September 2025 | 129 |
| August 2025 | 146 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Wickford over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+43%) and other theft (+22%). The largest falls were in burglary (-38%) and vehicle crime (-29%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 566 | 20.2 | 0.59 | -5% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 439 | 15.7 | 1.02 | +43% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 212 | 7.6 | 1.12 | +8% |
| Shoplifting | 130 | 4.6 | 0.56 | -19% |
| Other theft | 113 | 4.0 | 0.63 | +22% |
| Vehicle crime | 108 | 3.9 | 0.78 | -29% |
| Public order | 92 | 3.3 | 0.49 | -3% |
| Burglary | 52 | 1.9 | 0.52 | -38% |
| Drugs | 50 | 1.8 | 0.55 | +2% |
| Other crime | 38 | 1.4 | 0.64 | -16% |
| Possession of weapons | 22 | 0.8 | 0.81 | +69% |
| Bicycle theft | 15 | 0.5 | 0.65 | +400% |
| Robbery | 11 | 0.4 | 0.29 | -8% |
| Theft from the person | 8 | 0.3 | 0.17 | +100% |
Violence and sexual offences in Wickford
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Wickford recorded 566 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 30.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Wickford
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Wickford recorded 439 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 23.7% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Wickford
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Wickford recorded 212 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 11.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Wickford
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Wickford recorded 130 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Wickford
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Wickford recorded 113 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Wickford
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Wickford recorded 108 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Wickford
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Wickford recorded 92 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Wickford
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Wickford recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Wickford
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Wickford recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Wickford
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Wickford recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Wickford
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Wickford recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 69% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Wickford
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Wickford recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 400% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Wickford
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Wickford recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Wickford
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Wickford recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Wickford, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Wickford.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Wickford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runwell | 765 | 78.5 | +19% |
| Rayleigh | 1,811 | 54.3 | -18% |
| Basildon | 14,637 | 120.8 | +82% |
| Thundersley and South Benfleet | 2,375 | 48.7 | -27% |
| Hullbridge | 238 | 43.7 | -34% |
| South Woodham Ferrers | 785 | 49.5 | -25% |
| Billericay | 1,629 | 48.1 | -27% |
| Hockley and Hawkwell | 504 | 31.6 | -52% |
3 areas within Wickford, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Wickford Park had the highest rate (90.5 per 1,000) and Castledon & Crouch the lowest (57.0). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wickford Park | Neighbourhood | 12,121 | 1,097 | 90.5 |
| Wickford North | Neighbourhood | 13,506 | 815 | 60.3 |
| Castledon & Crouch | Neighbourhood | 12,881 | 734 | 57.0 |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Wickford over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Petrol Station | 177 |
| On or near A129 | 114 |
| On or near High Street | 90 |
| On or near Market Road | 61 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 57 |
| On or near Supermarket | 49 |
| On or near Parking Area | 41 |
| On or near Hovefields Avenue | 39 |
| On or near Rose Close | 34 |
| On or near Nevendon Road | 29 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Wickford over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 644 | 34.7% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 444 | 23.9% |
| Not recorded | 439 | 23.7% |
| Under investigation | 106 | 5.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 54 | 2.9% |
| Local resolution | 46 | 2.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 39 | 2.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 27 | 1.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 20 | 1.1% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 17 | 0.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 12 | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 7 | 0.4% |
Wickford has an estimated population of 28,014. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Wickford sits in decile 7.3, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Wickford |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 19.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 78.1% |
| Social rented homes | 7.6% |
| Private rented homes | 14.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.3 |
Is Wickford a safe place to live?
Wickford recorded 66.3 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Wickford?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 566 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (439).
Is crime in Wickford going up or down?
Recorded crime in Wickford was up 3% on the year before: 1,856 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,809 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Wickford?
Wickford is policed by Essex. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Wickford. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.