Updated March 202612 areas
Essex Crime Rankings 2026
Rochford is the safest area in Essex with a crime rate of 46.4 per 1,000 residents. The county average of 69.9 compares to a UK average of 81.5.
Data Sources:Police.ukONS Census 2021HM Land Registry Period: March 2026 • Updated monthly
Rochford
Safest in Essex
46.4 per 1k
Harlow
Highest Crime in Essex
99.8 per 1k
81.5
UK Average
per 1k residents
5
Areas Improving
vs same period last year
trending_down
Essex's average crime rate of 69.9 per 1,000 residents is 11.6 below the UK average of 81.5.
Essex Rankings
| Rank | City / Town | Rate (per 1k) | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochford | 46.4 | +9.9% |
| 2 | Maldon | 47.1 | +20.3% |
| 3 | Castle Point | 56.1 | +5.5% |
| 4 | Uttlesford | 54.1 | -2.9% |
| 5 | Braintree | 57.6 | +1.1% |
| 6 | Brentwood | 68.9 | -7.1% |
| 7 | Epping Forest | 69.6 | -6.2% |
| 8 | Chelmsford | 73.8 | +9.9% |
| 9 | Tendring | 85.5 | +11.1% |
| 10 | Colchester | 87.4 | +14.0% |
| 11 | Basildon | 92.0 | -2.1% |
| 12 | Harlow | 99.8 | -4.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest city in Essex? expand_more
Rochford has the lowest crime rate in Essex at 46.4 crimes per 1,000 residents annually.
How does Essex compare to the UK average? expand_more
The average crime rate across Essex is 69.9 per 1,000 residents, compared to the UK average of 81.5.
Is crime improving in Essex? expand_more
5 of 12 areas in Essex recorded fewer crimes than the same period last year.
Data: Police.uk (OGL v3.0) · Population: ONS Census 2021 · Methodology