Crime in Canvey Island: statistics, rates and trends
3,155 crimes were recorded in Canvey Island in the 12 months to July 2026, 81.8 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 Canvey Island at a glance
- Crime trends in Canvey Island
- Types of crime in Canvey Island
- Canvey Island compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Canvey Island
- Streets with the most crime in Canvey Island
- What happened after crimes were reported in Canvey Island
- Population and deprivation in Canvey Island
- Questions about crime in Canvey Island
- About this data
3,155 crimes were recorded in Canvey Island in the 12 months to July 2026, 81.8 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 1,331 reports (42% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Canvey Island has the 586th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Canvey Island | Castle Point | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 3,155 | 5,624 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 81.8 | 62.1 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +11% | +3% | -1% |
| Population | 38,569 | 90,581 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Canvey Island was highest in the year to July 2019 (4,405 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (2,839). Over the whole period it fell 18%, 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 | 3,155 | 81.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,839 | 73.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 3,004 | 77.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 3,549 | 92.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 3,906 | 101.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 4,050 | 105.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 4,131 | 107.1 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 4,405 | 114.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,834 | 99.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 318 |
| June 2026 | 294 |
| May 2026 | 265 |
| April 2026 | 289 |
| March 2026 | 287 |
| February 2026 | 235 |
| January 2026 | 227 |
| December 2025 | 267 |
| November 2025 | 252 |
| October 2025 | 232 |
| September 2025 | 236 |
| August 2025 | 253 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Canvey Island 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 anti-social behaviour (+45%) and drugs (+43%).
The largest falls were in shoplifting (-52%) and vehicle crime (-23%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,331 | 34.5 | 1.01 | +11% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 594 | 15.4 | 1.00 | +45% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 322 | 8.3 | 1.23 | +18% |
| Public order | 203 | 5.3 | 0.79 | +25% |
| Other theft | 175 | 4.5 | 0.71 | +10% |
| Shoplifting | 117 | 3.0 | 0.37 | -52% |
| Vehicle crime | 93 | 2.4 | 0.49 | -23% |
| Drugs | 90 | 2.3 | 0.71 | +43% |
| Burglary | 77 | 2.0 | 0.56 | +5% |
| Other crime | 77 | 2.0 | 0.95 | +26% |
| Possession of weapons | 27 | 0.7 | 0.72 | +4% |
| Bicycle theft | 21 | 0.5 | 0.66 | +110% |
| Robbery | 20 | 0.5 | 0.38 | -5% |
| Theft from the person | 8 | 0.2 | 0.12 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Canvey Island
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Canvey Island recorded 1,331 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (34.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 42.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Canvey Island
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Canvey Island recorded 594 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 45% on the year before. It made up 18.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Canvey Island
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Canvey Island recorded 322 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 10.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Canvey Island
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Canvey Island recorded 203 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Canvey Island
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Canvey Island recorded 175 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Canvey Island
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Canvey Island recorded 117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 52% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Canvey Island
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Canvey Island recorded 93 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Canvey Island
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Canvey Island recorded 90 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Canvey Island
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Canvey Island recorded 77 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Canvey Island
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Canvey Island recorded 77 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Canvey Island
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Canvey Island recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Canvey Island
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Canvey Island recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 110% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Canvey Island
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Canvey Island recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Canvey Island
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Canvey Island recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Canvey Island, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Canvey Island.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Canvey Island |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thundersley and South Benfleet | 2,375 | 48.7 | -41% |
| Rayleigh | 1,811 | 54.3 | -34% |
| Southend-on-Sea | 20,967 | 113.2 | +38% |
| Hockley and Hawkwell | 504 | 31.6 | -61% |
| Stanford-le-Hope | 1,989 | 64.6 | -21% |
| Basildon | 14,637 | 120.8 | +48% |
| Wickford | 1,856 | 66.3 | -19% |
| Rochford | 1,203 | 84.1 | +3% |
5 areas within Canvey Island, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Canvey Island South had the highest rate (106.6 per 1,000) and Canvey Island East the lowest (49.2). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canvey Island South | Neighbourhood | 7,598 | 810 | 106.6 |
| Canvey Island Central | Neighbourhood | 8,289 | 824 | 99.4 |
| Canvey Island Winter Gardens | Neighbourhood | 8,415 | 692 | 82.2 |
| Canvey Island North | Neighbourhood | 8,022 | 522 | 65.1 |
| Canvey Island East | Neighbourhood | 6,245 | 307 | 49.2 |
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 Canvey Island over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 183 |
| On or near Parking Area | 139 |
| On or near Runwood Road | 103 |
| On or near Winter Gardens Path | 61 |
| On or near Oak Road | 57 |
| On or near Suffolk Way | 49 |
| On or near Haarlem Road | 48 |
| On or near Furtherwick Close | 44 |
| On or near Police Station | 44 |
| On or near Knightswick Road | 41 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Canvey Island 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 | 1,037 | 32.9% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 829 | 26.3% |
| Not recorded | 594 | 18.8% |
| Under investigation | 252 | 8.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 101 | 3.2% |
| Local resolution | 101 | 3.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 72 | 2.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 50 | 1.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 50 | 1.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 39 | 1.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 18 | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 8 | 0.3% |
Canvey Island has an estimated population of 38,569. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Canvey Island sits in decile 3.9, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Canvey Island |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 56.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 26.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 75.9% |
| Social rented homes | 7.5% |
| Private rented homes | 16.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.9 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 4.0% |
Is Canvey Island a safe place to live?
Canvey Island recorded 81.8 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 Canvey Island?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,331 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (594).
Is crime in Canvey Island going up or down?
Recorded crime in Canvey Island was up 11% on the year before: 3,155 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,839 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Canvey Island?
Canvey Island 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 Canvey Island. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.