Crime in Marks Tey and Layer: statistics, rates and trends
732 crimes were recorded in Marks Tey and Layer in the 12 months to August 2026, 68.4 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and up 22% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Marks Tey and Layer at a glance
- Crime trends in Marks Tey and Layer
- Types of crime in Marks Tey and Layer
- Marks Tey and Layer compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Marks Tey and Layer
- What happened after crimes were reported in Marks Tey and Layer
- Demographics of Marks Tey and Layer
- Questions about crime in Marks Tey and Layer
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (261), anti-social behaviour (105) and shoplifting (94) made up 63% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 2,296th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lower half.
| Measure | Marks Tey and Layer | Colchester | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 732 | 18,986 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 68.4 | 94.8 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +22% | +8% | -1% |
| Population | 10,702 | 200,222 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the most recorded crime in Marks Tey and Layer of any year here (732 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it rose 25%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 732 | 68.4 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 600 | 56.1 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 705 | 65.9 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 621 | 58.0 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 536 | 50.1 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 557 | 52.0 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 682 | 63.7 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 666 | 62.2 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 585 | 54.7 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 58 |
| July 2026 | 85 |
| June 2026 | 80 |
| May 2026 | 52 |
| April 2026 | 58 |
| March 2026 | 74 |
| February 2026 | 37 |
| January 2026 | 42 |
| December 2025 | 48 |
| November 2025 | 61 |
| October 2025 | 77 |
| September 2025 | 60 |
Compared with England and Wales, Marks Tey and Layer recorded notably more vehicle crime (32% above the national rate), and notably less criminal damage and arson (46% below) and public order (45% below). On the year before, anti-social behaviour rose from 54 to 105 and vehicle crime rose from 42 to 70.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 261 | 24.4 | 34.2 | +10% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 105 | 9.8 | 15.4 | +94% |
| Shoplifting | 94 | 8.8 | 8.5 | +9% |
| Vehicle crime | 70 | 6.5 | 5.0 | +67% |
| Other theft | 53 | 5.0 | 6.4 | +18% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 39 | 3.6 | 6.7 | +15% |
| Public order | 39 | 3.6 | 6.7 | +3% |
| Other crime | 23 | 2.1 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Burglary | 17 | 1.6 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Drugs | 12 | 1.1 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 10 | 0.9 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 6 | 0.6 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.3 | 1.4 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
6 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Marks Tey and Layer; the highest is Castle, Colchester (290.4 per 1,000) and the lowest Lexden and Braiswick (47.7).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Marks Tey and Layer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanway | 872 | 86.1 | +26% |
| Prettygate | 648 | 55.7 | -19% |
| Shrub End | 1,138 | 86.8 | +27% |
| Lexden and Braiswick | 433 | 47.7 | -30% |
| Berechurch | 1,019 | 86.3 | +26% |
| New Town and Christ Church | 1,915 | 119.6 | +75% |
| Castle | 3,520 | 290.4 | +325% |
| Mile End | 1,766 | 121.7 | +78% |
The 10 locations below account for 42% of the crime recorded in Marks Tey and Layer over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Lemur Lane” (82).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Lemur Lane | 82 |
| On or near Christopher Garnett Chase | 48 |
| On or near B1408 | 43 |
| On or near Parking Area | 25 |
| On or near Waterworks Close | 24 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 19 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 17 |
| On or near Finch Road | 16 |
| On or near Otter Place | 16 |
| On or near Mandeville Road | 15 |
Of the 627 crimes in Marks Tey and Layer with a recorded outcome, 36% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 5.7% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 105 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 226 | 36.0% | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 226 | 36.0% | 34.5% |
| Under investigation | 57 | 9.1% | 11.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 36 | 5.7% | 5.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 22 | 3.5% | 2.5% |
| Local resolution | 17 | 2.7% | 3.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 16 | 2.6% | 4.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 12 | 1.9% | 1.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 11 | 1.8% | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 3 | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.2% | 0.3% |
Marks Tey and Layer has an estimated population of 10,702 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has fewer households without a car (6.8%, against 23.3%), less social housing (8.3%, against 17.1%) and less private renting (11%, against 20%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Marks Tey and Layer average decile 6.8 (1 = most deprived), less deprived than average.
| Measure | Marks Tey and Layer | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.8% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 19.8% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 62.7% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.3% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 23.0% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 5.3% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 31.4% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 14.3% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 6.8% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 80.5% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 8.3% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 11.1% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.8 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Marks Tey and Layer a safe place to live?
Marks Tey and Layer recorded 68.4 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 2,296th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were vehicle crime.
What is the most common crime in Marks Tey and Layer?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 261 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (105).
Is crime in Marks Tey and Layer going up or down?
Recorded crime in Marks Tey and Layer was up 22% on the year before: 732 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 600 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Marks Tey and Layer?
About 10,702 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 20% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Marks Tey and Layer?
Marks Tey and Layer is policed by Essex.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.