Crime in Southend-on-Sea: statistics, rates and trends

20,967 crimes were recorded in Southend-on-Sea in the 12 months to July 2026, 113.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 8,813 reports (42% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Southend-on-Sea has the 232nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Southend-on-Sea was highest in the year to July 2019 (26,840 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (19,310). Over the whole period it fell 13%, 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 Southend-on-Sea 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, shoplifting, drugs.

The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+29%) and robbery (+22%). The largest falls were in other crime (-17%) and vehicle crime (-17%).

Violence and sexual offences in Southend-on-Sea

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Southend-on-Sea recorded 8,813 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (47.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 42.0% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Southend-on-Sea

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Southend-on-Sea recorded 2,364 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 11.3% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Southend-on-Sea

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Southend-on-Sea recorded 2,044 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 9.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Southend-on-Sea

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Southend-on-Sea recorded 1,359 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Southend-on-Sea

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Southend-on-Sea recorded 1,303 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Southend-on-Sea

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Southend-on-Sea recorded 1,220 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Southend-on-Sea

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Southend-on-Sea recorded 1,016 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Southend-on-Sea

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Southend-on-Sea recorded 1,007 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Southend-on-Sea

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Southend-on-Sea recorded 622 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Southend-on-Sea

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Southend-on-Sea recorded 366 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 down 17% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Southend-on-Sea

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Southend-on-Sea recorded 248 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Southend-on-Sea

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Southend-on-Sea recorded 247 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Southend-on-Sea

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Southend-on-Sea recorded 216 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Southend-on-Sea

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Southend-on-Sea recorded 142 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

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

17 areas within Southend-on-Sea, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Milton had the highest rate (290.2 per 1,000) and West Leigh the lowest (32.9). 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 Southend-on-Sea over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Southend-on-Sea 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.

Southend-on-Sea has an estimated population of 185,256. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Southend-on-Sea sits in decile 5.2, close to the middle. 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 Southend-on-Sea. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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