Crime in Harwich: statistics, rates and trends

2,128 crimes were recorded in Harwich in the 12 months to July 2026, 98.0 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 989 reports (46% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Harwich has the 380th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Harwich was highest in the year to July 2021 (2,957 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (1,964). Over the whole period it fell 15%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Harwich 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, criminal damage and arson.

The largest increases were in shoplifting (+167%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-40%) and drugs (-26%).

Violence and sexual offences in Harwich

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Harwich recorded 989 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (45.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 46.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Harwich

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Harwich recorded 226 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 10.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Harwich

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Harwich recorded 224 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 167% on the year before. It made up 10.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Harwich

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Harwich recorded 212 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 10.0% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Harwich

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Harwich recorded 129 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Harwich

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Harwich recorded 122 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Harwich

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Harwich recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 40% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Harwich

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Harwich recorded 48 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Harwich

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Harwich recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Harwich

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Harwich recorded 32 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 down 26% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Harwich

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Harwich recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Harwich

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Harwich recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Harwich

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Harwich recorded 13 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 62% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Harwich

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Harwich recorded 7 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 up 75% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Harwich, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Harwich.

6 areas within Harwich, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Harwich & Kingsway had the highest rate (166.7 per 1,000) and Dovercourt Tollgate the lowest (27.5). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Harwich over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Harwich 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.

Harwich has an estimated population of 21,722. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Harwich sits in decile 2.9, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Harwich. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.