Crime in Berechurch, Colchester: statistics, rates and trends
1,049 crimes were recorded in Berechurch, Colchester in the 12 months to July 2026, 88.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 10% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Berechurch, Colchester at a glance
- Crime trends in Berechurch, Colchester
- Types of crime in Berechurch, Colchester
- Berechurch, Colchester compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Berechurch, Colchester
- What happened after crimes were reported in Berechurch, Colchester
- Population and deprivation in Berechurch, Colchester
- Questions about crime in Berechurch, Colchester
- About this data
1,049 crimes were recorded in Berechurch, Colchester in the 12 months to July 2026, 88.8 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 10% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 509 reports (49% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Berechurch, Colchester has the 1,539th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Berechurch, Colchester | Colchester | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,049 | 18,889 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 88.8 | 94.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +10% | +9% | -1% |
| Population | 11,811 | 200,222 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Berechurch, Colchester was highest in the year to July 2020 (1,401 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (907). Over the whole period it fell 22%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 1,049 | 88.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 957 | 81.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 907 | 76.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,045 | 88.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,182 | 100.1 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,397 | 118.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,401 | 118.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,327 | 112.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,339 | 113.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 93 |
| June 2026 | 91 |
| May 2026 | 77 |
| April 2026 | 87 |
| March 2026 | 91 |
| February 2026 | 84 |
| January 2026 | 89 |
| December 2025 | 83 |
| November 2025 | 83 |
| October 2025 | 81 |
| September 2025 | 82 |
| August 2025 | 108 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Berechurch, Colchester 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 violence and sexual offences.
The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+57%) and other theft (+32%). The largest falls were in burglary (-22%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 509 | 43.1 | 1.26 | +5% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 132 | 11.2 | 0.73 | +57% |
| Other theft | 82 | 6.9 | 1.09 | +32% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 80 | 6.8 | 1.00 | -4% |
| Public order | 71 | 6.0 | 0.90 | +6% |
| Vehicle crime | 57 | 4.8 | 0.98 | -3% |
| Drugs | 30 | 2.5 | 0.78 | +11% |
| Burglary | 25 | 2.1 | 0.60 | -22% |
| Other crime | 24 | 2.0 | 0.96 | +50% |
| Shoplifting | 11 | 0.9 | 0.11 | -8% |
| Possession of weapons | 10 | 0.8 | 0.87 | -17% |
| Robbery | 7 | 0.6 | 0.44 | -22% |
| Bicycle theft | 6 | 0.5 | 0.62 | -33% |
| Theft from the person | 5 | 0.4 | 0.25 | +400% |
Violence and sexual offences in Berechurch, Colchester
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Berechurch, Colchester recorded 509 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (43.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 48.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Berechurch, Colchester
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Berechurch, Colchester recorded 132 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 57% on the year before. It made up 12.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Berechurch, Colchester
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Berechurch, Colchester recorded 82 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Berechurch, Colchester
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Berechurch, Colchester recorded 80 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Berechurch, Colchester
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Berechurch, Colchester recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Berechurch, Colchester
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Berechurch, Colchester recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Berechurch, Colchester
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Berechurch, Colchester recorded 30 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 11% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Berechurch, Colchester
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Berechurch, Colchester recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Berechurch, Colchester
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Berechurch, Colchester recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Berechurch, Colchester
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Berechurch, Colchester recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Berechurch, Colchester
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Berechurch, Colchester recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Berechurch, Colchester
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Berechurch, Colchester recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Berechurch, Colchester
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Berechurch, Colchester recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Berechurch, Colchester
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Berechurch, Colchester recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 400% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Berechurch, Colchester, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Berechurch, Colchester.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Berechurch, Colchester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Heath and The Hythe | 1,030 | 86.8 | -2% |
| Shrub End | 1,155 | 88.1 | -1% |
| New Town and Christ Church | 1,906 | 119.0 | +34% |
| Castle | 3,485 | 287.5 | +224% |
| Greenstead | 2,435 | 148.2 | +67% |
| Wivenhoe | 481 | 55.1 | -38% |
| Prettygate | 632 | 54.3 | -39% |
| St Anne's and St John's | 741 | 68.0 | -23% |
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 Berechurch, Colchester over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Boyles Court | 47 |
| On or near Stansted Road | 45 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 44 |
| On or near Queen Elizabeth Way | 43 |
| On or near Garrod Court | 28 |
| On or near Bardfield Road | 28 |
| On or near Bevan Close | 27 |
| On or near West Donyland Court | 26 |
| On or near Thomas Benold Walk | 25 |
| On or near Sandringham Drive | 24 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Berechurch, Colchester 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 400 | 38.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 255 | 24.3% |
| Not recorded | 132 | 12.6% |
| Under investigation | 87 | 8.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 51 | 4.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 42 | 4.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 28 | 2.7% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 26 | 2.5% |
| Local resolution | 12 | 1.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 9 | 0.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% |
Berechurch, Colchester has an estimated population of 11,811. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Berechurch, Colchester sits in decile 3.7, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Berechurch, Colchester |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 62.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 14.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 61.5% |
| Social rented homes | 21.1% |
| Private rented homes | 17.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.7 |
Is Berechurch, Colchester a safe place to live?
Berechurch, Colchester recorded 88.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Berechurch, Colchester?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 509 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (132).
Is crime in Berechurch, Colchester going up or down?
Recorded crime in Berechurch, Colchester was up 10% on the year before: 1,049 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 957 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Berechurch, Colchester?
Berechurch, Colchester is policed by Essex. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 Berechurch, Colchester. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.