Crime in Lexden and Braiswick: statistics, rates and trends
428 crimes were recorded in Lexden and Braiswick in the 12 months to July 2026, 47.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Lexden and Braiswick at a glance
- Crime trends in Lexden and Braiswick
- Types of crime in Lexden and Braiswick
- Lexden and Braiswick compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Lexden and Braiswick
- What happened after crimes were reported in Lexden and Braiswick
- Population and deprivation in Lexden and Braiswick
- Questions about crime in Lexden and Braiswick
- About this data
428 crimes were recorded in Lexden and Braiswick in the 12 months to July 2026, 47.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 202 reports (47% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Lexden and Braiswick has the 3,144th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Lexden and Braiswick | Colchester | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 428 | 18,889 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 47.1 | 94.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +3% | +9% | -1% |
| Population | 9,085 | 200,222 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Lexden and Braiswick was highest in the year to July 2026 (428 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (282). Over the whole period it rose 24%, 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 | 428 | 47.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 414 | 45.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 377 | 41.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 351 | 38.6 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 282 | 31.0 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 354 | 39.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 358 | 39.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 361 | 39.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 345 | 38.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 51 |
| June 2026 | 38 |
| May 2026 | 34 |
| April 2026 | 43 |
| March 2026 | 31 |
| February 2026 | 26 |
| January 2026 | 33 |
| December 2025 | 31 |
| November 2025 | 29 |
| October 2025 | 41 |
| September 2025 | 34 |
| August 2025 | 37 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Lexden and Braiswick 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 anti-social behaviour (+100%) and other theft (+27%).
The largest falls were in burglary (-46%) and criminal damage and arson (-24%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 202 | 22.2 | 0.65 | +0% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 44 | 4.8 | 0.32 | +100% |
| Other theft | 38 | 4.2 | 0.65 | +27% |
| Vehicle crime | 27 | 3.0 | 0.60 | +23% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 26 | 2.9 | 0.42 | -24% |
| Public order | 24 | 2.6 | 0.40 | -17% |
| Shoplifting | 23 | 2.5 | 0.31 | -8% |
| Burglary | 15 | 1.7 | 0.47 | -46% |
| Other crime | 15 | 1.7 | 0.78 | +67% |
| Drugs | 9 | 1.0 | 0.30 | +29% |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.2 | 0.16 | +0% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.13 | +0% |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.1 | 0.11 | -67% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.07 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Lexden and Braiswick
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Lexden and Braiswick recorded 202 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 47.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Lexden and Braiswick
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Lexden and Braiswick recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 10.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Lexden and Braiswick
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Lexden and Braiswick recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 8.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Lexden and Braiswick
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Lexden and Braiswick recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Lexden and Braiswick
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Lexden and Braiswick recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Lexden and Braiswick
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Lexden and Braiswick recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Lexden and Braiswick
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Lexden and Braiswick recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Lexden and Braiswick
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Lexden and Braiswick recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 46% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Lexden and Braiswick
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Lexden and Braiswick recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Lexden and Braiswick
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Lexden and Braiswick recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Lexden and Braiswick
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Lexden and Braiswick recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Lexden and Braiswick
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Lexden and Braiswick recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Lexden and Braiswick
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Lexden and Braiswick recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Lexden and Braiswick
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Lexden and Braiswick recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Lexden and Braiswick, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Lexden and Braiswick.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Lexden and Braiswick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prettygate | 632 | 54.3 | +15% |
| Stanway | 855 | 84.4 | +79% |
| Mile End | 1,749 | 120.5 | +156% |
| Castle | 3,485 | 287.5 | +510% |
| Rural North | 447 | 38.6 | -18% |
| Shrub End | 1,155 | 88.1 | +87% |
| New Town and Christ Church | 1,906 | 119.0 | +153% |
| Highwoods | 827 | 75.8 | +61% |
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 Lexden and Braiswick over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Armoury Road | 30 |
| On or near Supermarket | 26 |
| On or near Fiddlers Folly | 21 |
| On or near Ruth King Close | 17 |
| On or near Chapel Road | 14 |
| On or near Farm Drive | 14 |
| On or near New Kiln Road | 14 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 14 |
| On or near Abbotts Lane | 13 |
| On or near Mumford Close | 13 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Lexden and Braiswick 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 | 133 | 31.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 127 | 29.7% |
| Not recorded | 44 | 10.3% |
| Under investigation | 40 | 9.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 18 | 4.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 18 | 4.2% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 14 | 3.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 13 | 3.0% |
| Offender given a caution | 9 | 2.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 5 | 1.2% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 5 | 1.2% |
| Local resolution | 2 | 0.5% |
Lexden and Braiswick has an estimated population of 9,085. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Lexden and Braiswick sits in decile 8.4, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Lexden and Braiswick |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 22.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 80.8% |
| Social rented homes | 6.6% |
| Private rented homes | 12.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.4 |
Is Lexden and Braiswick a safe place to live?
Lexden and Braiswick recorded 47.1 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 Lexden and Braiswick?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 202 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (44).
Is crime in Lexden and Braiswick going up or down?
Recorded crime in Lexden and Braiswick was up 3% on the year before: 428 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 414 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Lexden and Braiswick?
Lexden and Braiswick 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 Lexden and Braiswick. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.