Crime in Brightlingsea: statistics, rates and trends
439 crimes were recorded in Brightlingsea in the 12 months to July 2026, 49.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Brightlingsea at a glance
- Crime trends in Brightlingsea
- Types of crime in Brightlingsea
- Brightlingsea compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Brightlingsea
- Streets with the most crime in Brightlingsea
- What happened after crimes were reported in Brightlingsea
- Population and deprivation in Brightlingsea
- Questions about crime in Brightlingsea
- About this data
439 crimes were recorded in Brightlingsea in the 12 months to July 2026, 49.1 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 227 reports (52% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Brightlingsea has the 1,167th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Brightlingsea | Tendring | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 439 | 14,639 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 49.1 | 93.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -3% | +5% | -1% |
| Population | 8,939 | 156,759 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Brightlingsea was highest in the year to July 2018 (654 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (422). Over the whole period it fell 33%, 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 | 439 | 49.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 454 | 50.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 422 | 47.2 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 452 | 50.6 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 481 | 53.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 575 | 64.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 519 | 58.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 518 | 57.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 654 | 73.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 44 |
| June 2026 | 31 |
| May 2026 | 25 |
| April 2026 | 32 |
| March 2026 | 34 |
| February 2026 | 42 |
| January 2026 | 43 |
| December 2025 | 29 |
| November 2025 | 34 |
| October 2025 | 40 |
| September 2025 | 29 |
| August 2025 | 56 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Brightlingsea 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 falls were in criminal damage and arson (-54%) and other theft (-14%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 227 | 25.4 | 0.74 | +0% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 33 | 3.7 | 0.24 | -3% |
| Other theft | 32 | 3.6 | 0.56 | -14% |
| Public order | 29 | 3.2 | 0.49 | -12% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 28 | 3.1 | 0.46 | -54% |
| Shoplifting | 23 | 2.6 | 0.31 | +156% |
| Vehicle crime | 23 | 2.6 | 0.52 | +44% |
| Drugs | 13 | 1.5 | 0.44 | +0% |
| Burglary | 11 | 1.2 | 0.35 | +38% |
| Other crime | 7 | 0.8 | 0.37 | -22% |
| Possession of weapons | 5 | 0.6 | 0.58 | +67% |
| Robbery | 5 | 0.6 | 0.41 | +400% |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.3 | 0.20 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Brightlingsea
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Brightlingsea recorded 227 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 51.7% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Brightlingsea
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Brightlingsea recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Brightlingsea
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Brightlingsea recorded 32 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 down 14% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Brightlingsea
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Brightlingsea recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Brightlingsea
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Brightlingsea recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 54% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Brightlingsea
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Brightlingsea recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 156% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Brightlingsea
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Brightlingsea recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 44% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Brightlingsea
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Brightlingsea recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Brightlingsea
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Brightlingsea recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Brightlingsea
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Brightlingsea recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Brightlingsea
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Brightlingsea recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Brightlingsea
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Brightlingsea recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 400% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Brightlingsea
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Brightlingsea recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Brightlingsea, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Brightlingsea.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Brightlingsea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wivenhoe | 328 | 49.2 | +0% |
| Jaywick | 847 | 159.2 | +224% |
| West Mersea | 335 | 46.8 | -5% |
| Clacton-on-Sea | 6,920 | 124.5 | +154% |
| Berechurch | 756 | 91.5 | +86% |
| Colchester | 15,738 | 114.2 | +133% |
| Lawford | 200 | 39.0 | -21% |
| Frinton-on-Sea | 312 | 59.0 | +20% |
1 areas within Brightlingsea, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Brightlingsea had the highest rate (49.1 per 1,000) and Brightlingsea the lowest (49.1). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightlingsea | Neighbourhood | 8,939 | 439 | 49.1 |
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 Brightlingsea over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 30 |
| On or near Thomas Street | 24 |
| On or near Church Road | 23 |
| On or near Campernell Close | 19 |
| On or near Parking Area | 18 |
| On or near Lower Green Gardens | 16 |
| On or near Waterside | 13 |
| On or near Regent Close | 13 |
| On or near Windsor Court | 12 |
| On or near Victoria Place | 12 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Brightlingsea 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 | 180 | 41.0% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 119 | 27.1% |
| Under investigation | 34 | 7.7% |
| Not recorded | 33 | 7.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 16 | 3.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 15 | 3.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 12 | 2.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 10 | 2.3% |
| Local resolution | 8 | 1.8% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 7 | 1.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 3 | 0.7% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.2% |
Brightlingsea has an estimated population of 8,939. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Brightlingsea sits in decile 5.4, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Brightlingsea |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 14.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 55.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 29.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 73.9% |
| Social rented homes | 5.6% |
| Private rented homes | 20.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.4 |
Is Brightlingsea a safe place to live?
Brightlingsea recorded 49.1 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 Brightlingsea?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 227 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (33).
Is crime in Brightlingsea going up or down?
Recorded crime in Brightlingsea was down 3% on the year before: 439 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 454 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Brightlingsea?
Brightlingsea 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 Brightlingsea. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.