Crime in Highwoods: statistics, rates and trends
827 crimes were recorded in Highwoods in the 12 months to July 2026, 75.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Highwoods at a glance
- Crime trends in Highwoods
- Types of crime in Highwoods
- Highwoods compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Highwoods
- What happened after crimes were reported in Highwoods
- Population and deprivation in Highwoods
- Questions about crime in Highwoods
- About this data
827 crimes were recorded in Highwoods in the 12 months to July 2026, 75.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 338 reports (41% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Highwoods has the 1,994th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Highwoods | Colchester | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 827 | 18,889 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 75.8 | 94.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +1% | +9% | -1% |
| Population | 10,907 | 200,222 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Highwoods was highest in the year to July 2019 (1,104 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (796). Over the whole period it fell 10%, 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 | 827 | 75.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 819 | 75.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 796 | 73.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 824 | 75.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 936 | 85.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 993 | 91.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 991 | 90.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,104 | 101.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 920 | 84.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 61 |
| June 2026 | 72 |
| May 2026 | 71 |
| April 2026 | 58 |
| March 2026 | 80 |
| February 2026 | 72 |
| January 2026 | 78 |
| December 2025 | 55 |
| November 2025 | 57 |
| October 2025 | 65 |
| September 2025 | 91 |
| August 2025 | 67 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Highwoods 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 vehicle crime (+67%) and shoplifting (+51%). The largest falls were in drugs (-33%) and other theft (-23%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 338 | 31.0 | 0.91 | -12% |
| Shoplifting | 103 | 9.4 | 1.14 | +51% |
| Public order | 76 | 7.0 | 1.05 | +33% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 66 | 6.1 | 0.39 | -4% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 66 | 6.1 | 0.89 | -7% |
| Vehicle crime | 55 | 5.0 | 1.02 | +67% |
| Other theft | 50 | 4.6 | 0.72 | -23% |
| Burglary | 20 | 1.8 | 0.52 | +43% |
| Drugs | 18 | 1.7 | 0.50 | -33% |
| Bicycle theft | 10 | 0.9 | 1.11 | +67% |
| Other crime | 9 | 0.8 | 0.39 | -36% |
| Possession of weapons | 7 | 0.6 | 0.66 | +40% |
| Theft from the person | 5 | 0.5 | 0.27 | n/a |
| Robbery | 4 | 0.4 | 0.27 | -20% |
Violence and sexual offences in Highwoods
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Highwoods recorded 338 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 40.9% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Highwoods
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Highwoods recorded 103 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 51% on the year before. It made up 12.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Highwoods
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Highwoods recorded 76 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Highwoods
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Highwoods recorded 66 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 down 4% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Highwoods
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Highwoods recorded 66 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Highwoods
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Highwoods recorded 55 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Highwoods
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Highwoods recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Highwoods
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Highwoods recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Highwoods
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Highwoods recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Highwoods
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Highwoods recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Highwoods
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Highwoods recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Highwoods
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Highwoods recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 40% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Highwoods
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Highwoods recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Highwoods
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Highwoods recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Highwoods, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Highwoods.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Highwoods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mile End | 1,749 | 120.5 | +59% |
| St Anne's and St John's | 741 | 68.0 | -10% |
| Castle | 3,485 | 287.5 | +279% |
| Greenstead | 2,435 | 148.2 | +95% |
| New Town and Christ Church | 1,906 | 119.0 | +57% |
| Rural North | 447 | 38.6 | -49% |
| Lexden and Braiswick | 428 | 47.1 | -38% |
| Old Heath and The Hythe | 1,030 | 86.8 | +15% |
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 Highwoods over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Petrol Station | 158 |
| On or near Princess Drive | 65 |
| On or near De Grey Road | 57 |
| On or near Elizabeth Close | 23 |
| On or near Regents Close | 23 |
| On or near Hanningfield Way | 21 |
| On or near Bignalls Croft | 19 |
| On or near Weetmans Drive | 18 |
| On or near Highclere Road | 17 |
| On or near Attwood Close | 16 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Highwoods 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 | 271 | 32.8% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 269 | 32.5% |
| Not recorded | 66 | 8.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 60 | 7.3% |
| Under investigation | 58 | 7.0% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 29 | 3.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 23 | 2.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 16 | 1.9% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 13 | 1.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 10 | 1.2% |
| Local resolution | 10 | 1.2% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.2% |
Highwoods has an estimated population of 10,907. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Highwoods sits in decile 6.3, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Highwoods |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 67.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 11.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 56.9% |
| Social rented homes | 14.7% |
| Private rented homes | 28.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.3 |
Is Highwoods a safe place to live?
Highwoods recorded 75.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower 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 Highwoods?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 338 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (103).
Is crime in Highwoods going up or down?
Recorded crime in Highwoods was almost unchanged on the year before: 827 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 819 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Highwoods?
Highwoods 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 Highwoods. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.