Crime in Harwich & Kingsway: statistics, rates and trends
835 crimes were recorded in Harwich & Kingsway in the 12 months to July 2026, 166.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 18% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Harwich & Kingsway at a glance
- Crime trends in Harwich & Kingsway
- Types of crime in Harwich & Kingsway
- Harwich & Kingsway compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Harwich & Kingsway
- What happened after crimes were reported in Harwich & Kingsway
- Population and deprivation in Harwich & Kingsway
- Questions about crime in Harwich & Kingsway
- About this data
835 crimes were recorded in Harwich & Kingsway in the 12 months to July 2026, 166.7 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 18% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 405 reports (49% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Harwich & Kingsway has the 322nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Harwich & Kingsway | Tendring | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 835 | 14,639 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 166.7 | 93.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +18% | +5% | -1% |
| Population | 5,008 | 156,759 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Harwich & Kingsway was highest in the year to July 2019 (1,101 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (706). Over the whole period it fell 11%, 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 | 835 | 166.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 706 | 141.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 741 | 148.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 835 | 166.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,059 | 211.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,057 | 211.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,100 | 219.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,101 | 219.8 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 935 | 186.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 95 |
| June 2026 | 84 |
| May 2026 | 71 |
| April 2026 | 51 |
| March 2026 | 46 |
| February 2026 | 49 |
| January 2026 | 68 |
| December 2025 | 67 |
| November 2025 | 69 |
| October 2025 | 76 |
| September 2025 | 72 |
| August 2025 | 87 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Harwich & Kingsway 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, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+244%) and other theft (+35%). The largest falls were in drugs (-50%) and vehicle crime (-45%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 405 | 80.9 | 2.36 | +22% |
| Shoplifting | 117 | 23.4 | 2.82 | +244% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 90 | 18.0 | 1.17 | +25% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 65 | 13.0 | 1.91 | -21% |
| Other theft | 42 | 8.4 | 1.31 | +35% |
| Public order | 40 | 8.0 | 1.20 | -5% |
| Vehicle crime | 18 | 3.6 | 0.73 | -45% |
| Other crime | 17 | 3.4 | 1.61 | -15% |
| Burglary | 12 | 2.4 | 0.68 | -33% |
| Drugs | 11 | 2.2 | 0.67 | -50% |
| Bicycle theft | 7 | 1.4 | 1.70 | -12% |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.8 | 0.82 | -33% |
| Theft from the person | 4 | 0.8 | 0.47 | +300% |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.6 | 0.44 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Harwich & Kingsway
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Harwich & Kingsway recorded 405 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (80.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 48.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Harwich & Kingsway
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Harwich & Kingsway recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 244% on the year before. It made up 14.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Harwich & Kingsway
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Harwich & Kingsway recorded 90 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 10.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Harwich & Kingsway
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Harwich & Kingsway recorded 65 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Harwich & Kingsway
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Harwich & Kingsway recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Harwich & Kingsway
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Harwich & Kingsway recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Harwich & Kingsway
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Harwich & Kingsway recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 45% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Harwich & Kingsway
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Harwich & Kingsway recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Harwich & Kingsway
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Harwich & Kingsway recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Harwich & Kingsway
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Harwich & Kingsway recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Harwich & Kingsway
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Harwich & Kingsway recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Harwich & Kingsway
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Harwich & Kingsway recorded 4 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 down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Harwich & Kingsway
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Harwich & Kingsway recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 300% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Harwich & Kingsway
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Harwich & Kingsway recorded 3 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 50% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Harwich & Kingsway, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Harwich & Kingsway.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Harwich & Kingsway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dovercourt All Saints | 1,021 | 98.7 | -41% |
| Stour Valley | 177 | 42.9 | -74% |
| Walton | 490 | 146.6 | -12% |
| Homelands | 179 | 49.0 | -71% |
| Kirby-le-Soken & Hamford | 212 | 47.6 | -71% |
| Frinton | 312 | 59.0 | -65% |
| Thorpe, Beaumont & Great Holland | 267 | 53.3 | -68% |
| Weeley & Tendring | 464 | 119.2 | -28% |
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 Harwich & Kingsway over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Mill Close | 121 |
| On or near Orwell Road | 42 |
| On or near Ferndale Road | 35 |
| On or near Heron Way | 32 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 27 |
| On or near Cliff Road | 21 |
| On or near Canning Street | 19 |
| On or near Golden Lion Lane | 19 |
| On or near High Street | 19 |
| On or near Maria Street | 19 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Harwich & Kingsway 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 | 328 | 39.3% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 197 | 23.6% |
| Not recorded | 90 | 10.8% |
| Under investigation | 71 | 8.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 38 | 4.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 32 | 3.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 23 | 2.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 21 | 2.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 18 | 2.2% |
| Local resolution | 9 | 1.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.4% |
Harwich & Kingsway has an estimated population of 5,008. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Harwich & Kingsway sits in decile 1.0, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Harwich & Kingsway |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 19.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 46.5% |
| Social rented homes | 13.1% |
| Private rented homes | 40.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 1.0 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 100.0% |
Is Harwich & Kingsway a safe place to live?
Harwich & Kingsway recorded 166.7 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 Harwich & Kingsway?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 405 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (117).
Is crime in Harwich & Kingsway going up or down?
Recorded crime in Harwich & Kingsway was up 18% on the year before: 835 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 706 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Harwich & Kingsway?
Harwich & Kingsway 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 Harwich & Kingsway. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.