Crime in Lawford: statistics, rates and trends
200 crimes were recorded in Lawford in the 12 months to July 2026, 39.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Lawford at a glance
- Crime trends in Lawford
- Types of crime in Lawford
- Lawford compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Lawford
- Streets with the most crime in Lawford
- What happened after crimes were reported in Lawford
- Population and deprivation in Lawford
- Questions about crime in Lawford
- About this data
200 crimes were recorded in Lawford in the 12 months to July 2026, 39.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 96 reports (48% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Lawford has the 1,320th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Lawford | Tendring | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 200 | 14,639 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 39.0 | 93.4 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +4% | +5% | -1% |
| Population | 5,124 | 156,759 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Lawford was highest in the year to July 2018 (266 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (148). Over the whole period it fell 25%, 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 | 200 | 39.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 192 | 37.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 148 | 28.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 159 | 31.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 207 | 40.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 244 | 47.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 225 | 43.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 205 | 40.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 266 | 51.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 17 |
| June 2026 | 27 |
| May 2026 | 21 |
| April 2026 | 12 |
| March 2026 | 17 |
| February 2026 | 9 |
| January 2026 | 17 |
| December 2025 | 18 |
| November 2025 | 20 |
| October 2025 | 15 |
| September 2025 | 14 |
| August 2025 | 13 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Lawford 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 other theft (+23%) and violence and sexual offences (+16%).
The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-55%) and anti-social behaviour (-35%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 96 | 18.7 | 0.55 | +16% |
| Other theft | 32 | 6.2 | 0.98 | +23% |
| Vehicle crime | 14 | 2.7 | 0.55 | +75% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 13 | 2.5 | 0.17 | -35% |
| Public order | 13 | 2.5 | 0.38 | +8% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 9 | 1.8 | 0.26 | -55% |
| Possession of weapons | 6 | 1.2 | 1.21 | +200% |
| Burglary | 5 | 1.0 | 0.28 | +0% |
| Other crime | 4 | 0.8 | 0.37 | -50% |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.4 | 0.29 | n/a |
| Shoplifting | 2 | 0.4 | 0.05 | -50% |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.4 | 0.23 | +0% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.2 | 0.24 | n/a |
| Drugs | 1 | 0.2 | 0.06 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Lawford
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Lawford recorded 96 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 48.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Lawford
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Lawford recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 16.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Lawford
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Lawford recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 75% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Lawford
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Lawford recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Lawford
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Lawford recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Lawford
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Lawford recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 55% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Lawford
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Lawford recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Lawford
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Lawford recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Lawford
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Lawford recorded 4 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 50% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Lawford
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Lawford recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 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 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Lawford
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Lawford recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Lawford
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Lawford recorded 2 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Lawford
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Lawford recorded 1 report 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 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Lawford
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Lawford recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Lawford, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Lawford.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Lawford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wivenhoe | 328 | 49.2 | +26% |
| Colchester | 15,738 | 114.2 | +193% |
| Hadleigh | 446 | 48.4 | +24% |
| Berechurch | 756 | 91.5 | +134% |
| Brightlingsea | 439 | 49.1 | +26% |
| Harwich | 2,128 | 98.0 | +151% |
| Ipswich | 14,420 | 95.5 | +145% |
| Clacton-on-Sea | 6,920 | 124.5 | +219% |
1 areas within Lawford, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley had the highest rate (55.1 per 1,000) and Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley the lowest (55.1). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley | Neighbourhood | 8,573 | 472 | 55.1 |
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 Lawford over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Colchester Road | 16 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 16 |
| On or near Merivale Close | 11 |
| On or near Nichols Close | 10 |
| On or near Waldegrave Close | 9 |
| On or near Long Road | 8 |
| On or near Cavendish Drive | 8 |
| On or near Meadway | 7 |
| On or near Strawberry Avenue | 6 |
| On or near Manningtree | 5 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Lawford 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 | 81 | 40.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 55 | 27.5% |
| Under investigation | 19 | 9.5% |
| Not recorded | 13 | 6.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 10 | 5.0% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 7 | 3.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 6 | 3.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 3 | 1.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 1.0% |
| Local resolution | 2 | 1.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 1.0% |
Lawford has an estimated population of 5,124. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Lawford sits in decile 7.4, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Lawford |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 59.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 21.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 75.4% |
| Social rented homes | 9.1% |
| Private rented homes | 15.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.4 |
Is Lawford a safe place to live?
Lawford recorded 39.0 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 Lawford?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 96 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by other theft (32).
Is crime in Lawford going up or down?
Recorded crime in Lawford was up 4% on the year before: 200 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 192 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Lawford?
Lawford 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 Lawford. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.