Crime in Milton, Southend-on-Sea: statistics, rates and trends
3,576 crimes were recorded in Milton, Southend-on-Sea in the 12 months to July 2026, 290.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Milton, Southend-on-Sea at a glance
- Crime trends in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
- Types of crime in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
- Milton, Southend-on-Sea compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
- What happened after crimes were reported in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
- Population and deprivation in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
- Questions about crime in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
- About this data
3,576 crimes were recorded in Milton, Southend-on-Sea in the 12 months to July 2026, 290.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,386 reports (39% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Milton, Southend-on-Sea has the 75th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Milton, Southend-on-Sea | Southend-on-Sea | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 3,576 | 20,967 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 290.2 | 113.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +7% | +8% | -1% |
| Population | 12,323 | 185,256 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Milton, Southend-on-Sea was highest in the year to July 2019 (4,618 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (3,340). Over the whole period it fell 21%, 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 | 3,576 | 290.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 3,340 | 271.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 3,553 | 288.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 4,037 | 327.6 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 4,417 | 358.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 4,093 | 332.1 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 3,917 | 317.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 4,618 | 374.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 4,518 | 366.6 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 371 |
| June 2026 | 356 |
| May 2026 | 369 |
| April 2026 | 291 |
| March 2026 | 288 |
| February 2026 | 225 |
| January 2026 | 257 |
| December 2025 | 302 |
| November 2025 | 247 |
| October 2025 | 275 |
| September 2025 | 283 |
| August 2025 | 312 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Milton, Southend-on-Sea 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, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in bicycle theft (+48%) and theft from the person (+43%). The largest falls were in other crime (-25%) and criminal damage and arson (-11%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,386 | 112.5 | 3.29 | +6% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 436 | 35.4 | 2.31 | +19% |
| Shoplifting | 426 | 34.6 | 4.17 | +7% |
| Drugs | 274 | 22.2 | 6.80 | +28% |
| Public order | 236 | 19.2 | 2.88 | -6% |
| Other theft | 187 | 15.2 | 2.37 | -5% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 169 | 13.7 | 2.02 | -11% |
| Vehicle crime | 112 | 9.1 | 1.85 | -2% |
| Burglary | 71 | 5.8 | 1.63 | +16% |
| Theft from the person | 67 | 5.4 | 3.22 | +43% |
| Bicycle theft | 59 | 4.8 | 5.82 | +48% |
| Possession of weapons | 58 | 4.7 | 4.85 | +38% |
| Robbery | 51 | 4.1 | 3.06 | -2% |
| Other crime | 44 | 3.6 | 1.69 | -25% |
Violence and sexual offences in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Milton, Southend-on-Sea recorded 1,386 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (112.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 38.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Milton, Southend-on-Sea recorded 436 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 12.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Milton, Southend-on-Sea recorded 426 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (34.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 11.9% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Milton, Southend-on-Sea recorded 274 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Milton, Southend-on-Sea recorded 236 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Milton, Southend-on-Sea recorded 187 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Milton, Southend-on-Sea recorded 169 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Milton, Southend-on-Sea recorded 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Milton, Southend-on-Sea recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Milton, Southend-on-Sea recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Milton, Southend-on-Sea recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 48% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Milton, Southend-on-Sea recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Milton, Southend-on-Sea recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Milton, Southend-on-Sea
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Milton, Southend-on-Sea recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Milton, Southend-on-Sea, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Milton, Southend-on-Sea.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Milton, Southend-on-Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria | 3,619 | 256.6 | -12% |
| Westborough | 619 | 53.4 | -82% |
| Chalkwell | 1,420 | 139.8 | -52% |
| Kursaal | 2,846 | 226.3 | -22% |
| Prittlewell | 1,274 | 113.4 | -61% |
| St. Luke's | 1,055 | 92.4 | -68% |
| Blenheim Park | 715 | 63.5 | -78% |
| Thorpe | 563 | 61.7 | -79% |
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 Milton, Southend-on-Sea over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Nightclub | 520 |
| On or near Weston Road | 259 |
| On or near Parking Area | 202 |
| On or near High Street | 174 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 159 |
| On or near Hamlet Court Road | 157 |
| On or near Heygate Avenue | 144 |
| On or near Bus/Coach Station | 78 |
| On or near Chichester Road | 77 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 75 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Milton, Southend-on-Sea 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 | 1,094 | 30.6% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 918 | 25.7% |
| Not recorded | 436 | 12.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 323 | 9.0% |
| Local resolution | 239 | 6.7% |
| Under investigation | 217 | 6.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 124 | 3.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 74 | 2.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 72 | 2.0% |
| Offender given a caution | 38 | 1.1% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 35 | 1.0% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 5 | 0.1% |
Milton, Southend-on-Sea has an estimated population of 12,323. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Milton, Southend-on-Sea sits in decile 2.4, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Milton, Southend-on-Sea |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 68.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 15.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 41.0% |
| Social rented homes | 4.3% |
| Private rented homes | 54.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.4 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 19.9% |
Is Milton, Southend-on-Sea a safe place to live?
Milton, Southend-on-Sea recorded 290.2 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 Milton, Southend-on-Sea?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,386 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (436).
Is crime in Milton, Southend-on-Sea going up or down?
Recorded crime in Milton, Southend-on-Sea was up 7% on the year before: 3,576 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 3,340 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Milton, Southend-on-Sea?
Milton, Southend-on-Sea 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 Milton, Southend-on-Sea. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.