Crime Rate in Highwoods: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Highwoods

The total recorded crimes in Highwoods, Colchester, UK in March 2025 are around 64 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Highwoods crime rate of 2.11 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 Highwoods, encompassing approximately 30,285 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Mar were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (36) incidents (-7.69% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (11) incidents (120.00% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (5) incidents (150.00% increase)
Highwoods Crime Hotspots

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

  • Petrol Station with total crimes: 8
  • Mortimer Gardens with total crimes: 4
  • Attwood Close with total crimes: 4

How safe is Highwoods?

To understand the safety of Highwoods, we need to analyze Highwoods crime statistics in relation to regional averages. Lets examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to Colchester:

    • In 2024, Highwoods demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Colchester average, with 828 crimes compared to 1094.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year.

    • In 2023, Highwoods had fewer crimes than the Colchester average, with 811 crimes compared to 976. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the area within the region that year. Furthermore, Highwoods witnessed more crimes than 9 out of 16 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Colchester, Highwoods has a lower crime rate and is considered safer in 2024.

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

Highwoods Crime Statstics

In March 2025 the Highwoods has recorded 64 crimes with crime rate of 2.11 ranking 9th out of 16 in the Colchester, UK

In 2024, the total Highwoods crimes were 828. The crime rate of Highwoods in 2024 was 27.34 (year) or 2.28 (month) ranking it 9 dangerous area in the Colchester.

In 2023, the total crimes in Highwoods were around 811 crimes with yearly crime rate of 26.78 (year) or 2.23 (month) ranking 8 most dangerous area in the Colchester.

AreaMarch 202520242023
CrimesRank (Colchester)CrimesRank (Colchester)CrimesRank (Colchester)
Castle255 14,070 13,263 1
Greenstead186 21,993 22,216 2
New Town and Christ Church119 41,743 31,525 3
Mile End179 31,707 4971 5
Berechurch70 8956 61,008 4
Old Heath and The Hythe92 51,056 5885 6
Shrub End88 6938 7831 7
Prettygate73 7730 11574 13
Marks Tey and Layer62 10849 8675 10
Stanway53 12750 10703 9
St Anne's and St John's58 11659 12664 11
Tiptree41 13544 13643 12
Rural North28 15500 14538 14
Wivenhoe40 14457 15488 15
Mersea and Pyefleet27 16412 16427 16
Lexden and Braiswick26 17406 17373 17

Highwoods Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (36 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (11 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 39 incidents, and Criminal damage and arson was another prevalent crime category with 6 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (27 reports) and Other theft incidents were also notably high (9 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 31 incidents, and Criminal damage and arson was another prevalent crime category with 11 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (31 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (9 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (25 incidents), followed by Public order also remained a significant concern (7 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (16 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Other theft (7 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (28 incidents) and then Public order showed a substantial number of incidents (7 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 34 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 7 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (70 reports) and Criminal damage and arson incidents were also notably high (14 cases).

In May 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (14 incidents), followed by Other theft also remained a significant concern (9 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 351 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 31.91 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 70 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202536
February 202539
January 202527
December 202431
November 202431
October 202425
September 202416
August 202428
July 202434
June 202470
May 202414

A total of 74 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 6.73 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20254
February 20254
January 20259
December 20245
November 20247
October 20247
September 20247
August 20245
July 20247
June 202410
May 20249

A total of 61 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 5.55 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 10 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20255
February 20252
January 20255
December 20244
November 20245
October 20245
September 20247
August 20246
July 20247
June 202410
May 20245

A total of 27 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 3.00 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20252
February 20254
January 20252
December 20244
November 20244
October 20246
September 20241
July 20242
June 20242

A total of 20 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 2.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
January 20251
November 20242
October 20242
September 20244
August 20243
July 20241
June 20246

A total of 25 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 3.12 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20253
February 20253
January 20255
December 20244
November 20245
October 20243
July 20241
May 20241

A total of 54 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 4.91 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
February 20252
January 20254
December 20248
November 20243
October 20247
September 20244
August 20247
July 20244
June 20248
May 20246

A total of 67 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 6.09 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202511
February 20255
January 20252
December 20246
November 20249
October 20244
September 20241
August 20244
July 20244
June 202412
May 20249

A total of 62 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 5.64 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
February 20256
January 20253
December 202411
November 20245
October 20245
September 20245
August 20244
July 20246
June 202414
May 20242

A total of 13 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.62 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20252
December 20242
November 20241
October 20241
September 20241
August 20241
July 20243
May 20242

A total of 5 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
December 20241
November 20241
August 20241
July 20241
May 20241

A total of 5 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
November 20241
October 20241
August 20241
July 20241
May 20241

A total of 6 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.20 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
October 20241
September 20241
July 20241
June 20242
May 20241

A total of 2 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 2.00 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20242

High Crime Locations Highwoods in March 2025

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

1. Petrol Station (Map)
Total8
Shoplifting8
2. Mortimer Gardens (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences4
3. Attwood Close (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences4
4. Brinkley Lane (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences4
5. De Grey Road (Map)
Total4
Violence and sexual offences3
Other theft1
6. Petronius Way (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences3
7. Princess Drive (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences3
8. Myland Hall Chase (Map)
Total3
Shoplifting2
Violence and sexual offences1
9. Victoria Gardens (Map)
Total2
Other theft1
Violence and sexual offences1
10. Chinook (Map)
Total2
Drugs1
Violence and sexual offences1

  • 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.