Crime Rate in Colchester: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Colchester

The total recorded crimes in Colchester, UK in May 2025 are around 1,616 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Colchester crime rate of 8.39 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Colchester, encompassing approximately 192,716 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (710) incidents (14.52% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (169) incidents (22.46% increase)
  • Public order: (152) incidents (26.67% increase)
Colchester Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Charter Way with total crimes: 36
  • Police Station with total crimes: 35
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 27

Colchester Police Info:

Essex Police

How safe is Colchester?

To understand the safety of Colchester, we need to analyze Colchester crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • Colchester has recorded 18,598 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 96.50 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 147 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is safer than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 16,595 crimes with a crime rate of 86.11, ranking it 179 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Essex:

    • In 2024, Colchester reported a higher crime volume than the Essex average, with 18,598 crimes compared to 11,188. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, Colchester recorded fewer crimes than 10 out of 11 other cities.

    • In 2023, Colchester experienced a greater number of crimes than the Essex average, with 16,595 crimes compared to 10,805. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, Colchester recorded fewer crimes than 10 out of 11 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Colchester is considered safer compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Essex, Colchester has a higher crime rate in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Colchester Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Castle (341 crimes), and the safest, Rural North (33 crimes), is 308 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Colchester.

Similarly, the area of Central Colchester (341 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Prettygate & Westlands (12 crimes), with a difference of 329 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Colchester.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Castle341
Greenstead196
New Town and Christ Church171
Mile End168
Berechurch101

Safest Wards:

Mersea and Pyefleet41
St Anne's and St John's40
Prettygate35
Wivenhoe35
Rural North33

Most Dangerous Areas:

Central Colchester341
Greenstead161
New Town & Hythe148
Mile End North, Braiswick & Kingswood Heath108
Monkwick88

Safest Areas:

Wivenhoe & University35
West Mersea32
Lexden31
Horkesley Heath, Langham & Dedham20
Prettygate & Westlands12

Colchester Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Colchester has recorded 1,616 crimes with crime rate of 8.39 ranking 141th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 2 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 8 in terms of crime rate in Essex.

In 2024, the total Colchester crimes were 18,598. The crime rate of Colchester in 2024 was 96.50 (year) or 8.04 (month) ranking it 147 danzarous in the UK. Colchester ranked 2 in terms of total crimes and 4 in terms of crime rate in Essex.

In 2023, the total crimes in Colchester were around 16,595 crimes with yearly crime rate of 86.11 (year) or 7.18 (month) ranking 179 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Essex, Colchester ranked 2 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 7 as per crime rate of Colchester

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Essex)CrimesRank (Essex)CrimesRank (Essex)
Maldon265 133,699 123,581 12
Rochford340 124,940 114,915 11
Uttlesford512 116,354 95,858 10
Castle Point489 105,871 106,160 9
Braintree931 911,752 811,413 8
Brentwood490 76,730 76,665 6
Chelmsford1,340 616,768 615,876 5
Epping Forest956 412,979 512,779 3
Tendring1,214 515,080 313,826 4
Basildon1,621 120,557 220,839 2
Harlow918 210,933 111,148 1

Colchester Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (710 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (169 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (620 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (164 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (668 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (131 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 622 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 135 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (570 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (107 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 603 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 113 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (651 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (142 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (644 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (136 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (626 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (129 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (604 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (133 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 795 incidents, and Criminal damage and arson was another prevalent crime category with 159 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (1242 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (296 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 538 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 44.83 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 66 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202545
April 202527
March 202542
February 202540
January 202548
December 202462
November 202444
October 202447
September 202443
August 202439
July 202435
June 202466

A total of 1686 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 140.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 296 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025169
April 2025138
March 2025131
February 2025105
January 202584
December 202493
November 2024142
October 2024119
September 2024129
August 2024133
July 2024147
June 2024296

A total of 1432 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 119.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 240 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025152
April 2025120
March 2025115
February 202580
January 202570
December 202483
November 202488
October 2024116
September 2024109
August 2024125
July 2024134
June 2024240

A total of 185 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 15.42 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202517
April 202521
March 202513
February 202512
January 202511
December 202414
November 202411
October 20248
September 202418
August 202416
July 202416
June 202428

A total of 912 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 76.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 110 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202582
April 202586
March 202556
February 202556
January 202545
December 202462
November 202486
October 202479
September 202456
August 202499
July 202495
June 2024110

A total of 8355 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 696.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1242 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025710
April 2025620
March 2025668
February 2025622
January 2025570
December 2024603
November 2024651
October 2024644
September 2024626
August 2024604
July 2024795
June 20241242

A total of 1480 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 123.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 174 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025123
April 2025164
March 2025128
February 2025135
January 2025107
December 2024113
November 2024132
October 2024136
September 202480
August 202488
July 2024100
June 2024174

A total of 1418 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 118.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 228 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025120
April 2025107
March 2025109
February 202599
January 202593
December 202491
November 2024104
October 2024111
September 202494
August 2024103
July 2024159
June 2024228

A total of 151 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 12.58 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 30 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202511
April 20259
March 20256
February 202511
January 202510
December 20245
November 202411
October 202413
September 202413
August 202415
July 202417
June 202430

A total of 1194 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 99.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 186 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202587
April 202585
March 202585
February 202568
January 202586
December 2024110
November 202497
October 2024109
September 202493
August 202493
July 202495
June 2024186

A total of 318 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 26.50 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 57 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202511
April 202515
March 202528
February 202514
January 202519
December 202423
November 202457
October 202441
September 202424
August 202423
July 202427
June 202436

A total of 146 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 12.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202511
April 202511
March 202511
February 20256
January 202511
December 202411
November 202412
October 202417
September 20249
August 202411
July 202416
June 202420

A total of 619 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 51.58 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 90 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202544
April 202543
March 202542
February 202534
January 202536
December 202452
November 202476
October 202457
September 202440
August 202453
July 202452
June 202490

A total of 374 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 31.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 56 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202534
April 202533
March 202527
February 202522
January 202528
December 202422
November 202426
October 202435
September 202427
August 202431
July 202433
June 202456

High Crime Locations Colchester in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Colchester postcode area is presented below.

1. Charter Way (Map)
Total36
Violence and sexual offences26
Other crime3
Criminal damage and arson3
Public order2
Shoplifting1
Other theft1
2. Police Station (Map)
Total35
Violence and sexual offences12
Public order7
Drugs5
Criminal damage and arson5
Other theft2
Other crime2
Theft from the person1
Robbery1
3. Shopping Area (Map)
Total27
Shoplifting12
Violence and sexual offences7
Public order4
Anti-social behaviour2
Theft from the person1
Other crime1
4. Sports/Recreation Area (Map)
Total17
Criminal damage and arson13
Anti-social behaviour4
5. Myland Hall Chase (Map)
Total15
Violence and sexual offences13
Criminal damage and arson2
6. Conference/Exhibition Centre (Map)
Total13
Violence and sexual offences6
Shoplifting2
Anti-social behaviour2
Other theft1
Drugs1
Burglary1

To know about postcode areas in Colchester, visit Colchester information

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
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