Crime Rate in Colchester: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Colchester

The total recorded crimes in Colchester, UK in July 2025 are around 1,625 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Colchester crime rate of 8.43 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 Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (745) incidents (2.19% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (151) incidents (4.86% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (150) incidents (-3.85% decrease)
Colchester Crime Hotspots

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

  • Charter Way with total crimes: 32
  • Police Station with total crimes: 25
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 18

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 (279 crimes), and the safest, Lexden and Braiswick (36 crimes), is 243 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Colchester.

Similarly, the area of Central Colchester (279 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Horkesley Heath, Langham & Dedham (16 crimes), with a difference of 263 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Colchester.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Castle279
Greenstead190
New Town and Christ Church156
Mile End145
Berechurch111

Safest Wards:

Mersea and Pyefleet43
Prettygate41
Rural North40
Tiptree36
Lexden and Braiswick36

Most Dangerous Areas:

Central Colchester279
Greenstead160
New Town & Hythe133
Parson's Heath132
Monkwick103

Safest Areas:

Tiptree33
Prettygate & Westlands22
Lexden22
Layer-de-la-Haye, Abberton & Mersea East22
Horkesley Heath, Langham & Dedham16

Colchester Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the Colchester has recorded 1,625 crimes with crime rate of 8.43 ranking 170th 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

CityJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Essex)CrimesRank (Essex)CrimesRank (Essex)
Maldon342 133,699 123,581 12
Rochford406 124,940 114,915 11
Uttlesford551 116,354 95,858 10
Castle Point458 105,871 106,160 9
Braintree921 911,752 811,413 8
Brentwood568 76,730 76,665 6
Chelmsford1,291 616,768 615,876 5
Epping Forest1,125 412,979 512,779 3
Tendring1,477 515,080 313,826 4
Basildon1,790 120,557 220,839 2
Harlow938 210,933 111,148 1

Colchester Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 745 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 151 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (729 reports) and Criminal damage and arson incidents were also notably high (156 cases).

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).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1098 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 91.50 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 110 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202578
June 2025107
May 202587
April 202585
March 202585
February 202568
January 202586
December 2024110
November 202497
October 2024109
September 202493
August 202493

A total of 1512 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 126.00 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 164 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025150
June 2025156
May 2025123
April 2025164
March 2025128
February 2025135
January 2025107
December 2024113
November 2024132
October 2024136
September 202480
August 202488

A total of 139 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 11.58 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 18 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202518
June 202517
May 202511
April 20259
March 20256
February 202511
January 202510
December 20245
November 202411
October 202413
September 202413
August 202415

A total of 847 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 70.58 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 99 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202580
June 202560
May 202582
April 202586
March 202556
February 202556
January 202545
December 202462
November 202486
October 202479
September 202456
August 202499

A total of 7792 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 649.33 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 745 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025745
June 2025729
May 2025710
April 2025620
March 2025668
February 2025622
January 2025570
December 2024603
November 2024651
October 2024644
September 2024626
August 2024604

A total of 1326 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 110.50 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 156 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025139
June 2025156
May 2025120
April 2025107
March 2025109
February 202599
January 202593
December 202491
November 2024104
October 2024111
September 202494
August 2024103

A total of 317 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 26.42 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 57 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202533
June 202529
May 202511
April 202515
March 202528
February 202514
January 202519
December 202423
November 202457
October 202441
September 202424
August 202423

A total of 121 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 10.08 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 17 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20257
June 20254
May 202511
April 202511
March 202511
February 20256
January 202511
December 202411
November 202412
October 202417
September 20249
August 202411

A total of 570 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 47.50 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 76 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202553
June 202540
May 202544
April 202543
March 202542
February 202534
January 202536
December 202452
November 202476
October 202457
September 202440
August 202453

A total of 338 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 28.17 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 35 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202533
June 202520
May 202534
April 202533
March 202527
February 202522
January 202528
December 202422
November 202426
October 202435
September 202427
August 202431

A total of 1538 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 128.17 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 169 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025151
June 2025144
May 2025169
April 2025138
March 2025131
February 2025105
January 202584
December 202493
November 2024142
October 2024119
September 2024129
August 2024133

A total of 1269 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 105.75 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 152 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025106
June 2025105
May 2025152
April 2025120
March 2025115
February 202580
January 202570
December 202483
November 202488
October 2024116
September 2024109
August 2024125

A total of 159 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 13.25 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 21 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20258
June 202510
May 202517
April 202521
March 202513
February 202512
January 202511
December 202414
November 202411
October 20248
September 202418
August 202416

A total of 496 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 41.33 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 62 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202524
June 202535
May 202545
April 202527
March 202542
February 202540
January 202548
December 202462
November 202444
October 202447
September 202443
August 202439

High Crime Locations Colchester in July 2025

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

1. Charter Way (Map)
Total32
Violence and sexual offences25
Criminal damage and arson3
Other crime2
Possession of weapons1
Bicycle theft1
2. Police Station (Map)
Total25
Violence and sexual offences14
Criminal damage and arson4
Robbery2
Public order2
Drugs2
Other crime1
3. Supermarket (Map)
Total18
Shoplifting11
Violence and sexual offences5
Possession of weapons1
Bicycle theft1
4. Shopping Area (Map)
Total18
Shoplifting15
Anti-social behaviour2
Theft from the person1
5. Supermarket (Map)
Total18
Shoplifting18
6. Shopping Area (Map)
Total16
Violence and sexual offences6
Shoplifting6
Anti-social behaviour2
Robbery1
Bicycle theft1

  • 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
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.