Crime in Colchester district: statistics, rates and trends

18,889 crimes were recorded in Colchester district in the 12 months to July 2026, 94.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 8,156 reports (43% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Colchester district has the 116th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Colchester district was highest in the year to July 2019 (23,262 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (17,398). Over the whole period it fell 12%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Colchester district over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for bicycle theft.

The largest increases were in robbery (+54%) and vehicle crime (+32%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-24%).

Violence and sexual offences in Colchester district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Colchester district recorded 8,156 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (40.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 43.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Colchester district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Colchester district recorded 1,986 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 10.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Colchester district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Colchester district recorded 1,721 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Colchester district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Colchester district recorded 1,315 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Colchester district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Colchester district recorded 1,248 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Colchester district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Colchester district recorded 1,224 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Colchester district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Colchester district recorded 1,108 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Colchester district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Colchester district recorded 546 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Colchester district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Colchester district recorded 503 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Colchester district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Colchester district recorded 357 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Colchester district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Colchester district recorded 236 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Colchester district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Colchester district recorded 209 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 54% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Colchester district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Colchester district recorded 168 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Colchester district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Colchester district recorded 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to Colchester district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Colchester district.

32 areas within Colchester district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Castle had the highest rate (287.5 per 1,000) and Chappel the lowest (24.2). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Colchester district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Colchester district over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Colchester district has an estimated population of 200,222. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Colchester district sits in decile 6.1, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Colchester district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.