Crime in Prettygate: statistics, rates and trends
632 crimes were recorded in Prettygate in the 12 months to July 2026, 54.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 1% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Prettygate at a glance
- Crime trends in Prettygate
- Types of crime in Prettygate
- Prettygate compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Prettygate
- What happened after crimes were reported in Prettygate
- Population and deprivation in Prettygate
- Questions about crime in Prettygate
- About this data
632 crimes were recorded in Prettygate in the 12 months to July 2026, 54.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 1% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 299 reports (47% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Prettygate has the 2,846th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Prettygate | Colchester | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 632 | 18,889 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 54.3 | 94.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +1% | +9% | -1% |
| Population | 11,638 | 200,222 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Prettygate was highest in the year to July 2021 (917 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (592). Over the whole period it fell 22%, 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 | 632 | 54.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 624 | 53.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 615 | 52.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 592 | 50.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 808 | 69.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 917 | 78.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 830 | 71.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 869 | 74.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 806 | 69.3 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 56 |
| June 2026 | 49 |
| May 2026 | 49 |
| April 2026 | 41 |
| March 2026 | 47 |
| February 2026 | 45 |
| January 2026 | 54 |
| December 2025 | 52 |
| November 2025 | 57 |
| October 2025 | 75 |
| September 2025 | 52 |
| August 2025 | 55 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Prettygate 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 (+177%) and anti-social behaviour (+25%).
The largest falls were in public order (-22%) and criminal damage and arson (-16%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 299 | 25.7 | 0.75 | -10% |
| Vehicle crime | 61 | 5.2 | 1.06 | +177% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 50 | 4.3 | 0.28 | +25% |
| Other theft | 42 | 3.6 | 0.56 | +14% |
| Public order | 39 | 3.4 | 0.50 | -22% |
| Shoplifting | 34 | 2.9 | 0.35 | +13% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 32 | 2.7 | 0.41 | -16% |
| Burglary | 31 | 2.7 | 0.75 | +24% |
| Other crime | 15 | 1.3 | 0.61 | -17% |
| Robbery | 9 | 0.8 | 0.57 | +200% |
| Bicycle theft | 5 | 0.4 | 0.52 | +25% |
| Drugs | 5 | 0.4 | 0.13 | -64% |
| Possession of weapons | 5 | 0.4 | 0.44 | -38% |
| Theft from the person | 5 | 0.4 | 0.25 | +67% |
Violence and sexual offences in Prettygate
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Prettygate recorded 299 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 47.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Prettygate
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Prettygate recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 177% on the year before. It made up 9.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Prettygate
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Prettygate recorded 50 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Prettygate
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Prettygate recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Prettygate
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Prettygate recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Prettygate
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Prettygate recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Prettygate
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Prettygate recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Prettygate
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Prettygate recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Prettygate
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Prettygate recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Prettygate
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Prettygate recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Prettygate
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Prettygate recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Prettygate
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Prettygate recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 64% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Prettygate
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Prettygate recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Prettygate
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Prettygate recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Prettygate, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Prettygate.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Prettygate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanway | 855 | 84.4 | +55% |
| Shrub End | 1,155 | 88.1 | +62% |
| Lexden and Braiswick | 428 | 47.1 | -13% |
| New Town and Christ Church | 1,906 | 119.0 | +119% |
| Castle | 3,485 | 287.5 | +429% |
| Marks Tey and Layer | 735 | 68.7 | +26% |
| Berechurch | 1,049 | 88.8 | +64% |
| Mile End | 1,749 | 120.5 | +122% |
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 Prettygate over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 50 |
| On or near Hargood Close | 43 |
| On or near Redmill | 39 |
| On or near The Chase | 36 |
| On or near Rembrandt Way | 21 |
| On or near B1022 | 18 |
| On or near Nash Close | 18 |
| On or near Trafalgar Road | 18 |
| On or near Back Lane | 16 |
| On or near Winston Avenue | 16 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Prettygate 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 | 239 | 37.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 174 | 27.5% |
| Not recorded | 50 | 7.9% |
| Under investigation | 50 | 7.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 35 | 5.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 24 | 3.8% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 23 | 3.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 15 | 2.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 12 | 1.9% |
| Local resolution | 6 | 0.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.2% |
Prettygate has an estimated population of 11,638. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Prettygate sits in decile 8.3, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Prettygate |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 56.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 25.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 81.7% |
| Social rented homes | 7.5% |
| Private rented homes | 10.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.3 |
Is Prettygate a safe place to live?
Prettygate recorded 54.3 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 Prettygate?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 299 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by vehicle crime (61).
Is crime in Prettygate going up or down?
Recorded crime in Prettygate was up 1% on the year before: 632 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 624 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Prettygate?
Prettygate 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 Prettygate. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.