Southend-on-Sea Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Southend-on-Sea's crime rate for February 2026 stood at 8.0 per 1,000 residents, placing it 25% above the UK average of 6.4. This figure reflects a persistent challenge for the coastal town, which balances its role as a tourist destination with the pressures of a densely populated urban environment. The most significant contributor to the area's elevated crime rate was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41.1% of all reported crimes. This category alone was 42% above the UK average, underscoring a stark contrast with national trends. Shoplifting, the second most common crime, also showed a marked deviation, with a rate of 1.0 per 1,000 — 72% above the UK average. These figures may partly explain the town's elevated overall rate, given the high footfall in retail areas and the transient nature of some populations. Anti-social behaviour. of total crimes, was slightly below the UK average by 1%, suggesting some local initiatives might be having a measurable impact. The seasonal context of February as a low-activity winter month may have limited some crime types, but the persistent presence of violent crime and shoplifting indicates deeper structural factors at play. As a coastal resort with a mix of residential and commercial zones, Southend-on-Sea's crime profile reflects the challenges of managing public spaces with high tourist traffic while maintaining community safety.

February 2026 saw several notable shifts in Southend-on-Sea's crime profile. The most significant increase was in bicycle theft, which rose by 77.8% compared to January, jumping from 9 to 16 incidents. This surge may be linked to the start of the spring season, as more residents and visitors take to cycling. Shoplifting also saw a substantial rise of 46.9%, with incidents increasing from 130 to 191. This aligns with the town's role as a retail hub, where high footfall and seasonal shopping patterns may have contributed. Possession of weapons also rose by 31.3%, from 16 to 21 cases, though this remains a relatively small portion of total crimes. Conversely, other crime types showed declines. 'Other crime' fell by 36.4%, from 33 to 21 incidents, reflecting improved local policing or community engagement efforts. Drug-related offences also dropped by 21.8%, from 78 to 61, which could indicate the impact of targeted interventions. Vehicle crime decreased by 11.8%, from 76 to 67, due to reduced winter outdoor activity. 'other crime' was 33% below the UK average, highlighting a rare area where Southend-on-Sea performed better than the national benchmark. These shifts illustrate the combination of seasonal factors, local initiatives, and the town's unique demographic profile.

Southend-on-Sea's crime rate remained stable in February 2026 compared to January, with the rate holding steady at 8.0 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests that the town's crime profile is not currently experiencing dramatic fluctuations, though the overall rate remains 25% above the UK average. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 53 crimes per day, a figure that translates to one reported crime for roughly every 126 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible measure of the frequency of crime in the area, helping residents contextualise the statistics. With a population of 185,256, Southend-on-Sea's crime density is higher than the national average, reflecting the challenges of managing public safety in a densely populated coastal town. The comparison with the UK average also reveals stark disparities in specific crime categories — for instance, violence and sexual offences were 42% above the national rate, while 'other crime' was 33% below. These differences highlight the need for tailored approaches to crime prevention that account for the town's unique characteristics, such as its mix of tourist attractions and residential areas. Residents may find the monthly exposure figure particularly useful, as it offers a direct sense of how often crime occurs within their community relative to the population size.