Crime in Rural North: statistics, rates and trends
447 crimes were recorded in Rural North in the 12 months to July 2026, 38.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 11% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Rural North at a glance
- Crime trends in Rural North
- Types of crime in Rural North
- Rural North compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Rural North
- What happened after crimes were reported in Rural North
- Population and deprivation in Rural North
- Questions about crime in Rural North
- About this data
447 crimes were recorded in Rural North in the 12 months to July 2026, 38.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 11% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 210 reports (47% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Rural North has the 3,494th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Rural North | Colchester | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 447 | 18,889 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 38.6 | 94.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +11% | +9% | -1% |
| Population | 11,590 | 200,222 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Rural North was highest in the year to July 2021 (630 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (403). Over the whole period it fell 27%, 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 | 447 | 38.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 403 | 34.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 497 | 42.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 529 | 45.6 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 574 | 49.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 630 | 54.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 612 | 52.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 553 | 47.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 612 | 52.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 61 |
| June 2026 | 41 |
| May 2026 | 37 |
| April 2026 | 26 |
| March 2026 | 39 |
| February 2026 | 28 |
| January 2026 | 36 |
| December 2025 | 41 |
| November 2025 | 28 |
| October 2025 | 40 |
| September 2025 | 31 |
| August 2025 | 39 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Rural North 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 criminal damage and arson (+59%) and anti-social behaviour (+32%). The largest falls were in other theft (-17%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 210 | 18.1 | 0.53 | +12% |
| Burglary | 38 | 3.3 | 0.93 | -10% |
| Other theft | 38 | 3.3 | 0.51 | -17% |
| Public order | 38 | 3.3 | 0.49 | +31% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 37 | 3.2 | 0.21 | +32% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 35 | 3.0 | 0.45 | +59% |
| Vehicle crime | 19 | 1.6 | 0.33 | +19% |
| Other crime | 12 | 1.0 | 0.49 | -29% |
| Shoplifting | 6 | 0.5 | 0.06 | +50% |
| Drugs | 5 | 0.4 | 0.13 | -38% |
| Possession of weapons | 4 | 0.3 | 0.36 | +100% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.2 | 0.21 | n/a |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.2 | 0.13 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.05 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Rural North
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Rural North recorded 210 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 47.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Rural North
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Rural North recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Rural North
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Rural North recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Rural North
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Rural North recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 31% on the year before. It made up 8.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Rural North
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Rural North recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Rural North
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Rural North recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 59% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Rural North
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Rural North recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Rural North
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Rural North recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Rural North
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Rural North recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Rural North
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Rural North 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 38% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Rural North
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Rural North recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Rural North
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Rural North recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Rural North
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Rural North 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 with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Rural North
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Rural North 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 down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Rural North, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Rural North.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Rural North |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mile End | 1,749 | 120.5 | +213% |
| Lexden and Braiswick | 428 | 47.1 | +22% |
| Highwoods | 827 | 75.8 | +97% |
| Castle | 3,485 | 287.5 | +645% |
| St Anne's and St John's | 741 | 68.0 | +76% |
| Prettygate | 632 | 54.3 | +41% |
| Stanway | 855 | 84.4 | +119% |
| New Town and Christ Church | 1,906 | 119.0 | +209% |
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 Rural North over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 33 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 26 |
| On or near Parking Area | 18 |
| On or near Elstar Lane | 13 |
| On or near Boxhouse Lane | 11 |
| On or near Forge Street | 11 |
| On or near Dedham Road | 10 |
| On or near Queen'S Head Road | 10 |
| On or near Terrace Hall Chase | 10 |
| On or near Grantham Road | 8 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Rural North 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 | 161 | 36.0% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 123 | 27.5% |
| Under investigation | 53 | 11.9% |
| Not recorded | 37 | 8.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 23 | 5.1% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 14 | 3.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 14 | 3.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 6 | 1.3% |
| Local resolution | 5 | 1.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 5 | 1.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.9% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.2% |
Rural North has an estimated population of 11,590. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Rural North sits in decile 7.1, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Rural North |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 56.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 27.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 81.6% |
| Social rented homes | 8.6% |
| Private rented homes | 9.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.1 |
Is Rural North a safe place to live?
Rural North recorded 38.6 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 Rural North?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 210 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by burglary (38).
Is crime in Rural North going up or down?
Recorded crime in Rural North was up 11% on the year before: 447 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 403 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Rural North?
Rural North 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 Rural North. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.