Crime Rate in Colchester: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Colchester

The total recorded crimes in Colchester, Colchester in January 2025 are around 1,218 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Colchester crime rate of 6.32 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 Jan were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (570) incidents (-5.47% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (107) incidents (-5.31% decrease)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (93) incidents (2.20% increase)
Colchester Crime Hotspots

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

  • Supermarket with total crimes: 17
  • Lemur Lane with total crimes: 15
  • Charter Way with total crimes: 13

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 (258 crimes), and the safest, Mersea and Pyefleet (27 crimes), is 231 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Colchester.

Similarly, the area of Central Colchester (258 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to West Mersea (17 crimes), with a difference of 241 crimes. This noticeable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Colchester.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Castle258
Greenstead135
Mile End124
New Town and Christ Church84
Berechurch79

Safest Wards:

Tiptree38
Rural North37
Lexden and Braiswick32
Wivenhoe27
Mersea and Pyefleet27

Most Dangerous Areas:

Central Colchester258
Greenstead121
New Town & Hythe95
Monkwick74
Mile End North, Braiswick & Kingswood Heath73

Safest Areas:

Prettygate & Westlands25
West Bergholt & Wormingford23
Layer-de-la-Haye, Abberton & Mersea East23
Lexden20
West Mersea17

Colchester Crime Statstics

In January 2025 the Colchester has recorded 1,218 crimes with crime rate of 6.32 ranking 185th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 2 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 5 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

CityJanuary 202520242023
CrimesRank (Essex)CrimesRank (Essex)CrimesRank (Essex)
Maldon246 113,699 123,581 12
Rochford313 124,940 114,915 11
Uttlesford505 76,354 95,858 10
Castle Point447 105,871 106,160 9
Braintree832 911,752 811,413 8
Brentwood425 86,730 76,665 6
Chelmsford1,123 616,768 615,876 5
Epping Forest872 412,979 512,779 3
Tendring1,058 315,080 313,826 4
Basildon1,478 220,557 220,839 2
Harlow849 110,933 111,148 1

Colchester Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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 965 Public order incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 120.62 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 240 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202570
December 202483
November 202488
October 2024116
September 2024109
August 2024125
July 2024134
June 2024240

A total of 250 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 31.25 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 57 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202519
December 202423
November 202457
October 202441
September 202424
August 202423
July 202427
June 202436

A total of 258 Other crime incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 32.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 56 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202528
December 202422
November 202426
October 202435
September 202427
August 202431
July 202433
June 202456

A total of 107 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 13.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202511
December 202411
November 202412
October 202417
September 20249
August 202411
July 202416
June 202420

A total of 456 Burglary incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 57.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 90 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202536
December 202452
November 202476
October 202457
September 202440
August 202453
July 202452
June 202490

A total of 5735 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 716.88 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1242 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025570
December 2024603
November 2024651
October 2024644
September 2024626
August 2024604
July 2024795
June 20241242

A total of 869 Other theft incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 108.62 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 186 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202586
December 2024110
November 202497
October 2024109
September 202493
August 202493
July 202495
June 2024186

A total of 122 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 15.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 28 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202511
December 202414
November 202411
October 20248
September 202418
August 202416
July 202416
June 202428

A total of 114 Robbery incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 14.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 30 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202510
December 20245
November 202411
October 202413
September 202413
August 202415
July 202417
June 202430

A total of 384 Drugs incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 48.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 66 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202548
December 202462
November 202444
October 202447
September 202443
August 202439
July 202435
June 202466

A total of 632 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 79.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 110 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202545
December 202462
November 202486
October 202479
September 202456
August 202499
July 202495
June 2024110

A total of 1143 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 142.88 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 296 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202584
December 202493
November 2024142
October 2024119
September 2024129
August 2024133
July 2024147
June 2024296

A total of 930 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 116.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 174 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025107
December 2024113
November 2024132
October 2024136
September 202480
August 202488
July 2024100
June 2024174

A total of 983 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 122.88 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 228 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202593
December 202491
November 2024104
October 2024111
September 202494
August 2024103
July 2024159
June 2024228

High Crime Locations Colchester in January 2025

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

1. Supermarket (Map)
Total17
Violence and sexual offences8
Other theft3
Theft from the person2
Shoplifting2
Anti-social behaviour2
2. Lemur Lane (Map)
Total15
Shoplifting10
Violence and sexual offences5
3. Charter Way (Map)
Total13
Violence and sexual offences8
Other theft2
Theft from the person1
Shoplifting1
Public order1
4. George Street (Map)
Total11
Violence and sexual offences8
Other theft2
Anti-social behaviour1
5. Salamanca Way (Map)
Total11
Violence and sexual offences8
Drugs2
Other crime1
6. Shopping Area (Map)
Total11
Shoplifting10
Vehicle crime1

  • 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.