Crime in West Mersea: statistics, rates and trends
335 crimes were recorded in West Mersea in the 12 months to July 2026, 46.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 22% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in West Mersea at a glance
- Crime trends in West Mersea
- Types of crime in West Mersea
- West Mersea compared with nearby towns
- Areas within West Mersea
- Streets with the most crime in West Mersea
- What happened after crimes were reported in West Mersea
- Population and deprivation in West Mersea
- Questions about crime in West Mersea
- About this data
335 crimes were recorded in West Mersea in the 12 months to July 2026, 46.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 22% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 157 reports (47% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, West Mersea has the 1,211th highest crime rate.
| Measure | West Mersea | Colchester | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 335 | 18,889 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 46.8 | 94.3 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +22% | +9% | -1% |
| Population | 7,154 | 200,222 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in West Mersea was highest in the year to July 2021 (476 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (275). Over the whole period it fell 21%, 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 | 335 | 46.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 275 | 38.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 285 | 39.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 297 | 41.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 377 | 52.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 476 | 66.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 417 | 58.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 427 | 59.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 423 | 59.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 29 |
| June 2026 | 28 |
| May 2026 | 48 |
| April 2026 | 20 |
| March 2026 | 24 |
| February 2026 | 20 |
| January 2026 | 19 |
| December 2025 | 20 |
| November 2025 | 31 |
| October 2025 | 26 |
| September 2025 | 32 |
| August 2025 | 38 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in West Mersea 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 criminal damage and arson (+56%) and anti-social behaviour (+46%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-67%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 157 | 21.9 | 0.64 | +31% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 39 | 5.5 | 0.80 | +56% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 38 | 5.3 | 0.35 | +46% |
| Other theft | 31 | 4.3 | 0.68 | +29% |
| Public order | 28 | 3.9 | 0.59 | +33% |
| Burglary | 9 | 1.3 | 0.36 | +80% |
| Shoplifting | 9 | 1.3 | 0.15 | -67% |
| Drugs | 8 | 1.1 | 0.34 | +100% |
| Other crime | 8 | 1.1 | 0.53 | +14% |
| Vehicle crime | 4 | 0.6 | 0.11 | -60% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.1 | 0.17 | -50% |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.1 | 0.14 | -50% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.10 | +0% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.08 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in West Mersea
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. West Mersea recorded 157 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 31% on the year before. It made up 46.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in West Mersea
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. West Mersea recorded 39 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 56% on the year before. It made up 11.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in West Mersea
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. West Mersea recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 46% on the year before. It made up 11.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in West Mersea
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. West Mersea recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in West Mersea
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. West Mersea recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 8.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in West Mersea
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. West Mersea recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 80% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in West Mersea
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. West Mersea recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in West Mersea
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. West Mersea recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in West Mersea
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. West Mersea recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in West Mersea
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. West Mersea recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 60% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in West Mersea
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. West Mersea recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in West Mersea
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. West Mersea recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in West Mersea
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. West Mersea recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in West Mersea
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. West Mersea recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to West Mersea, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to West Mersea.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs West Mersea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brightlingsea | 439 | 49.1 | +5% |
| Berechurch | 756 | 91.5 | +95% |
| Wivenhoe | 328 | 49.2 | +5% |
| Colchester | 15,738 | 114.2 | +144% |
| Tiptree | 389 | 46.6 | -0% |
| Jaywick | 847 | 159.2 | +240% |
| Southminster | 250 | 50.0 | +7% |
| Clacton-on-Sea | 6,920 | 124.5 | +166% |
1 areas within West Mersea, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Mersea and Pyefleet had the highest rate (47.1 per 1,000) and Mersea and Pyefleet the lowest (47.1). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mersea and Pyefleet | Neighbourhood | 9,807 | 462 | 47.1 |
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 West Mersea over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 20 |
| On or near Carrington Court | 15 |
| On or near Rainbow Road | 14 |
| On or near Constable Close | 12 |
| On or near Westwood Drive | 12 |
| On or near Chapmans Lane | 11 |
| On or near Church Road | 11 |
| On or near Fountain Court | 10 |
| On or near Oyster Close | 10 |
| On or near Cross Way | 10 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in West Mersea 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 | 134 | 40.0% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 82 | 24.5% |
| Not recorded | 38 | 11.3% |
| Under investigation | 29 | 8.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 14 | 4.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 9 | 2.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 9 | 2.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 8 | 2.4% |
| Local resolution | 7 | 2.1% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 4 | 1.2% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.3% |
West Mersea has an estimated population of 7,154. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in West Mersea sits in decile 6.9, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | West Mersea |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 11.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 51.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 37.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 81.6% |
| Social rented homes | 7.2% |
| Private rented homes | 11.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.9 |
Is West Mersea a safe place to live?
West Mersea recorded 46.8 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 West Mersea?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 157 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by criminal damage and arson (39).
Is crime in West Mersea going up or down?
Recorded crime in West Mersea was up 22% on the year before: 335 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 275 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers West Mersea?
West Mersea 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 West Mersea. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.