Crime in Rochford district: statistics, rates and trends

4,561 crimes were recorded in Rochford district in the 12 months to July 2026, 50.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,070 reports (45% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Rochford district has the 290th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Rochford district was highest in the year to July 2021 (5,844 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (4,320). 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 Rochford 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. The largest increases were in robbery (+48%) and drugs (+44%).

The largest falls were in theft from the person (-55%) and possession of weapons (-30%).

Violence and sexual offences in Rochford district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Rochford district recorded 2,070 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 45.4% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Rochford district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Rochford district recorded 549 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 37% on the year before. It made up 12.0% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Rochford district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Rochford district recorded 344 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Rochford district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Rochford district recorded 286 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Rochford district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Rochford district recorded 281 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Rochford district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Rochford district recorded 273 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Rochford district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Rochford district recorded 250 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Rochford district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Rochford district recorded 176 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 44% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Rochford district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Rochford district recorded 136 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Rochford district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Rochford district recorded 107 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Rochford district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Rochford district recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Rochford district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Rochford district recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 48% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Rochford district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Rochford district recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 55% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Rochford district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Rochford district recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 56% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

20 areas within Rochford district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Wheatley had the highest rate (106.8 per 1,000) and Canewdon the lowest (17.4). 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 Rochford district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Rochford 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.

Rochford district has an estimated population of 89,815. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Rochford district sits in decile 7.7, less deprived than average. 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 Rochford district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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