Crime Rate in Highwoods: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Highwoods

The total recorded crimes in Highwoods, Colchester, UK in May 2025 are around 63 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Highwoods crime rate of 2.08 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 May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (28) incidents (-12.50% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (9) incidents (80.00% increase)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (8) incidents (33.33% increase)
Highwoods Crime Hotspots

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

  • Myland Hall Chase with total crimes: 16
  • De Grey Road with total crimes: 7
  • Petrol Station 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 areas in the Colchester.

  • 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 May 2025 the Highwoods has recorded 63 crimes with crime rate of 2.08 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.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Highwoods)CrimesRank (Highwoods)CrimesRank (Highwoods)
Castle341 14,070 13,263 1
Greenstead196 21,993 22,216 2
New Town and Christ Church171 31,743 31,525 3
Berechurch101 5956 61,008 4
Mile End168 41,707 4971 5
Old Heath and The Hythe84 71,056 5885 6
Shrub End95 6938 7831 7
Marks Tey and Layer52 10849 8675 10
Stanway69 8750 10703 9
St Anne's and St John's40 14659 12664 11
Prettygate35 15730 11574 13
Lexden and Braiswick46 11406 17373 17
Tiptree46 12544 13643 12
Mersea and Pyefleet41 13412 16427 16
Rural North33 17500 14538 14
Wivenhoe35 16457 15488 15

Highwoods Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (28 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (9 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (32 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (15 incidents) also being high.

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.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 60 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 5.45 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20259
April 20255
March 20255
February 20252
January 20255
December 20244
November 20245
October 20245
September 20247
August 20246
July 20247

A total of 49 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 4.45 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20256
April 20253
March 20251
February 20252
January 20254
December 20248
November 20243
October 20247
September 20244
August 20247
July 20244

A total of 327 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 29.73 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 39 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202528
April 202532
March 202536
February 202539
January 202527
December 202431
November 202431
October 202425
September 202416
August 202428
July 202434

A total of 64 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 5.82 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20255
April 20254
March 20254
February 20254
January 20259
December 20245
November 20247
October 20247
September 20247
August 20245
July 20247

A total of 30 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
May 20252
April 20253
March 20252
February 20254
January 20252
December 20244
November 20244
October 20246
September 20241
July 20242

A total of 60 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 5.45 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 11 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20258
April 20256
March 20251
February 20256
January 20253
December 202411
November 20245
October 20245
September 20245
August 20244
July 20246

A total of 65 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 5.91 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 15 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 202515
March 202511
February 20255
January 20252
December 20246
November 20249
October 20244
September 20241
August 20244
July 20244

A total of 12 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.50 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 3 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251
January 20252
December 20242
November 20241
October 20241
September 20241
August 20241
July 20243

A total of 5 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1.25 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 2 reported cases.

MonthCount
April 20252
October 20241
September 20241
July 20241

A total of 14 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 2.00 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 4 reported cases.

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

A total of 24 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 3.43 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

A total of 4 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

A total of 4 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

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 May 2025

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

1. Myland Hall Chase (Map)
Total16
Violence and sexual offences13
Criminal damage and arson2
Anti-social behaviour1
2. De Grey Road (Map)
Total7
Criminal damage and arson4
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1
3. Petrol Station (Map)
Total4
Public order2
Other theft1
Shoplifting1
4. Petrol Station (Map)
Total4
Shoplifting3
Public order1
5. Mortimer Gardens (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences2
Public order1
6. Regents Close (Map)
Total3
Violence and sexual offences2
Anti-social behaviour1
7. Victoria Gardens (Map)
Total2
Public order1
Violence and sexual offences1
8. Bignell Croft (Map)
Total2
Public order1
Violence and sexual offences1
9. Princess Drive (Map)
Total2
Anti-social behaviour1
Vehicle crime1
10. Langham Place (Map)
Total1
Anti-social behaviour1

  • 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.