Crime in Castle, Colchester: statistics, rates and trends
3,485 crimes were recorded in Castle, Colchester in the 12 months to July 2026, 287.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Castle, Colchester at a glance
- Crime trends in Castle, Colchester
- Types of crime in Castle, Colchester
- Castle, Colchester compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Castle, Colchester
- What happened after crimes were reported in Castle, Colchester
- Population and deprivation in Castle, Colchester
- Questions about crime in Castle, Colchester
- About this data
3,485 crimes were recorded in Castle, Colchester in the 12 months to July 2026, 287.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,450 reports (42% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Castle, Colchester has the 78th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Castle, Colchester | Colchester | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 3,485 | 18,889 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 287.5 | 94.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -2% | +9% | -1% |
| Population | 12,122 | 200,222 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Castle, Colchester was highest in the year to July 2019 (5,419 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (3,485). Over the whole period it fell 32%, 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 | 3,485 | 287.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 3,566 | 294.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 4,012 | 331.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 4,234 | 349.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 4,752 | 392.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 3,710 | 306.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 4,123 | 340.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 5,419 | 447.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 5,146 | 424.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 381 |
| June 2026 | 343 |
| May 2026 | 296 |
| April 2026 | 301 |
| March 2026 | 307 |
| February 2026 | 233 |
| January 2026 | 228 |
| December 2025 | 242 |
| November 2025 | 248 |
| October 2025 | 291 |
| September 2025 | 286 |
| August 2025 | 329 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Castle, 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, shoplifting, anti-social behaviour.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+13%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-47%) and other crime (-20%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,450 | 119.6 | 3.49 | +8% |
| Shoplifting | 461 | 38.0 | 4.59 | +13% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 412 | 34.0 | 2.22 | -3% |
| Public order | 241 | 19.9 | 2.99 | -16% |
| Other theft | 220 | 18.1 | 2.84 | -5% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 187 | 15.4 | 2.27 | -14% |
| Drugs | 112 | 9.2 | 2.83 | -18% |
| Vehicle crime | 105 | 8.7 | 1.76 | -17% |
| Burglary | 72 | 5.9 | 1.68 | -15% |
| Bicycle theft | 62 | 5.1 | 6.21 | -47% |
| Robbery | 53 | 4.4 | 3.24 | +0% |
| Theft from the person | 45 | 3.7 | 2.20 | -18% |
| Other crime | 36 | 3.0 | 1.41 | -20% |
| Possession of weapons | 29 | 2.4 | 2.46 | -17% |
Violence and sexual offences in Castle, Colchester
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Castle, Colchester recorded 1,450 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (119.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 41.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Castle, Colchester
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Castle, Colchester recorded 461 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (38.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 13.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Castle, Colchester
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Castle, Colchester recorded 412 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (34.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 11.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Castle, Colchester
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Castle, Colchester recorded 241 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Castle, Colchester
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Castle, Colchester recorded 220 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Castle, Colchester
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Castle, Colchester recorded 187 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Castle, Colchester
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Castle, Colchester recorded 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Castle, Colchester
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Castle, Colchester recorded 105 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Castle, Colchester
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Castle, Colchester recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Castle, Colchester
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Castle, Colchester recorded 62 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 47% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Castle, Colchester
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Castle, Colchester recorded 53 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Castle, Colchester
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Castle, Colchester recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Castle, Colchester
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Castle, Colchester recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Castle, Colchester
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Castle, Colchester recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Castle, Colchester, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Castle, Colchester.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Castle, Colchester |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Town and Christ Church | 1,906 | 119.0 | -59% |
| St Anne's and St John's | 741 | 68.0 | -76% |
| Mile End | 1,749 | 120.5 | -58% |
| Greenstead | 2,435 | 148.2 | -48% |
| Old Heath and The Hythe | 1,030 | 86.8 | -70% |
| Highwoods | 827 | 75.8 | -74% |
| Shrub End | 1,155 | 88.1 | -69% |
| Berechurch | 1,049 | 88.8 | -69% |
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 Castle, Colchester over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 342 |
| On or near Nightclub | 167 |
| On or near Trinity Street | 149 |
| On or near Conference/Exhibition Centre | 140 |
| On or near St Nicholas Street | 136 |
| On or near Parking Area | 135 |
| On or near Culver Street West | 96 |
| On or near George Street | 85 |
| On or near Vineyard Street | 80 |
| On or near Cowdray Avenue | 73 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Castle, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 1,112 | 31.9% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 1,084 | 31.1% |
| Not recorded | 412 | 11.8% |
| Under investigation | 299 | 8.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 182 | 5.2% |
| Local resolution | 113 | 3.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 89 | 2.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 53 | 1.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 52 | 1.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 43 | 1.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 38 | 1.1% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 7 | 0.2% |
Castle, Colchester has an estimated population of 12,122. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Castle, Colchester sits in decile 5.0, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Castle, Colchester |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 67.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 46.4% |
| Social rented homes | 11.1% |
| Private rented homes | 42.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.0 |
Is Castle, Colchester a safe place to live?
Castle, Colchester recorded 287.5 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher than 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 Castle, Colchester?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,450 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (461).
Is crime in Castle, Colchester going up or down?
Recorded crime in Castle, Colchester was down 2% on the year before: 3,485 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 3,566 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Castle, Colchester?
Castle, 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 Castle, Colchester. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.