Crime in Kursaal: statistics, rates and trends
2,846 crimes were recorded in Kursaal in the 12 months to July 2026, 226.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 9% on the year before.
Table of Contents
2,846 crimes were recorded in Kursaal in the 12 months to July 2026, 226.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,268 reports (45% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Kursaal has the 149th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Kursaal | Southend-on-Sea | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,846 | 20,967 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 226.3 | 113.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +9% | +8% | -1% |
| Population | 12,578 | 185,256 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Kursaal was highest in the year to July 2019 (3,394 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (2,542). Over the whole period it fell 8%, 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 | 2,846 | 226.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,620 | 208.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 2,542 | 202.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,720 | 216.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 3,186 | 253.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 3,295 | 262.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 3,190 | 253.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 3,394 | 269.8 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,077 | 244.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 315 |
| June 2026 | 288 |
| May 2026 | 290 |
| April 2026 | 230 |
| March 2026 | 246 |
| February 2026 | 170 |
| January 2026 | 177 |
| December 2025 | 227 |
| November 2025 | 197 |
| October 2025 | 184 |
| September 2025 | 218 |
| August 2025 | 304 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Kursaal 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, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in shoplifting (+63%) and robbery (+35%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-29%) and possession of weapons (-20%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,268 | 100.8 | 2.94 | +8% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 369 | 29.3 | 1.91 | +29% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 198 | 15.7 | 2.32 | +1% |
| Other theft | 172 | 13.7 | 2.14 | -9% |
| Shoplifting | 170 | 13.5 | 1.63 | +63% |
| Drugs | 161 | 12.8 | 3.92 | +3% |
| Public order | 156 | 12.4 | 1.87 | -15% |
| Vehicle crime | 99 | 7.9 | 1.60 | -4% |
| Burglary | 75 | 6.0 | 1.69 | +21% |
| Other crime | 57 | 4.5 | 2.15 | +16% |
| Robbery | 46 | 3.7 | 2.71 | +35% |
| Possession of weapons | 36 | 2.9 | 2.95 | -20% |
| Bicycle theft | 24 | 1.9 | 2.32 | +26% |
| Theft from the person | 15 | 1.2 | 0.71 | -29% |
Violence and sexual offences in Kursaal
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Kursaal recorded 1,268 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (100.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 44.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Kursaal
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Kursaal recorded 369 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 13.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Kursaal
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Kursaal recorded 198 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Kursaal
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Kursaal recorded 172 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Kursaal
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Kursaal recorded 170 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 63% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Kursaal
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Kursaal recorded 161 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Kursaal
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Kursaal recorded 156 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Kursaal
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Kursaal recorded 99 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Kursaal
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Kursaal recorded 75 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Kursaal
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Kursaal recorded 57 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Kursaal
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Kursaal recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Kursaal
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Kursaal recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Kursaal
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Kursaal recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Kursaal
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Kursaal recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Kursaal, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Kursaal.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Kursaal |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Luke's | 1,055 | 92.4 | -59% |
| Victoria | 3,619 | 256.6 | +13% |
| Milton | 3,576 | 290.2 | +28% |
| Thorpe | 563 | 61.7 | -73% |
| Southchurch | 959 | 92.6 | -59% |
| Westborough | 619 | 53.4 | -76% |
| Prittlewell | 1,274 | 113.4 | -50% |
| Chalkwell | 1,420 | 139.8 | -38% |
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 Kursaal over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near York Road | 235 |
| On or near Old Southend Road | 159 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 146 |
| On or near Glen Mews | 127 |
| On or near Parking Area | 123 |
| On or near Marine Parade | 114 |
| On or near Supermarket | 89 |
| On or near Ferndown Close | 86 |
| On or near Southchurch Avenue | 73 |
| On or near Fairburn Close | 72 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Kursaal 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 | 1,047 | 36.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 646 | 22.7% |
| Not recorded | 369 | 13.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 201 | 7.1% |
| Under investigation | 188 | 6.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 144 | 5.1% |
| Local resolution | 96 | 3.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 75 | 2.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 35 | 1.2% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 29 | 1.0% |
| Offender given a caution | 9 | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.2% |
Kursaal has an estimated population of 12,578. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Kursaal sits in decile 1.7, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Kursaal |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 67.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 11.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 34.2% |
| Social rented homes | 24.1% |
| Private rented homes | 41.7% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 1.7 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 55.6% |
Is Kursaal a safe place to live?
Kursaal recorded 226.3 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 Kursaal?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,268 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (369).
Is crime in Kursaal going up or down?
Recorded crime in Kursaal was up 9% on the year before: 2,846 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,620 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Kursaal?
Kursaal 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 Kursaal. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.