Clacton-on-Sea Crime Rate

Clacton-on-Sea, the largest town in the Tendring district, has a recorded crime rate of 122.1 per 1,000 people. This figure is notably higher than the UK average of 91.6, resulting in a safety score of 69/100. Despite these higher numbers, the recent trend is encouraging, with a 3.7% decrease in total crime year-over-year, indicating a stable environment. As a major seaside resort, Clacton's statistics are often influenced by its high volume of visitors and its role as a regional commercial hub. For the 53,342 residents, understanding the specific patterns of local crime—particularly property and violent offences—is key to maintaining personal and home security in this vibrant coastal setting.

Crime Breakdown in Clacton-on-Sea

Clacton-on-Sea experiences a crime profile dominated by violence and sexual offences, which make up 47.0% of all reported incidents (3,059 crimes). This is followed by criminal damage and arson at 8.9% and anti-social behaviour at 8.8%. These figures reflect the challenges often faced by larger coastal resort towns with significant seasonal footfall.

Property crime is a notable factor in Clacton, with a rate of 37.1 per 1,000 people. This encompasses 487 shoplifting offences, 173 burglaries, and 215 vehicle crimes. Shoplifting alone accounts for 7.5% of the town's total crime, indicating a high level of activity in commercial areas. For residents, the burglary rate of 3.2 per 1,000 and the frequency of vehicle crime mean that securing homes and cars is a vital priority. The overall property crime rate is higher than the UK average, suggesting that opportunistic theft is a persistent issue that requires active deterrence.

Crime Trends in Clacton-on-Sea

The crime trend in Clacton-on-Sea is currently stable, with a 3.7% decrease in total offences compared to the previous year. This suggests that local initiatives and policing are having a modest but positive impact on the town's safety. Looking at the monthly data for 2025, we see a clear seasonal peak. The crime rate rose steadily from 9.4 in January to a yearly high of 12.3 in July. This mid-summer spike is a common feature of seaside towns, where the influx of tourists can lead to higher numbers of reported incidents.

Following the July peak, the rate began to decline, dropping to 10.3 in August and eventually reaching the year's lowest point of 8.5 in December. This downward trend toward the end of the year is an encouraging sign for residents. The data suggests that while Clacton remains a busy area for crime, the overall trajectory is one of gradual improvement, provided the seasonal summer pressures are managed effectively. For locals, this means being particularly cautious during the summer months when the town is at its busiest.

How To Keep Safe in Clacton-on-Sea

Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime type in Clacton-on-Sea, frequently occurring in busy town centre areas. To stay safe, try to stay in well-lit, populated areas when walking at night, especially near the seafront and entertainment districts. If you are out in the evening, stick with friends and use licensed taxis for transport. Being aware of your surroundings is the first step in personal safety.

Since criminal damage and anti-social behaviour are also high, residents should take steps to protect their property. Ensure that your home's exterior is well-maintained and that any gates or fences are secure. For vehicle owners, Clacton's 3.3% vehicle crime rate suggests that you should never leave bags, electronics, or even loose change visible in your car. Use a steering lock for added physical deterrence and always double-check that your vehicle is locked before leaving it, particularly in public car parks or on-street at night.

Crime in Clacton-on-Sea follows distinct temporal patterns. During the morning (6am-12pm), theft is the primary concern, accounting for 42% of offences as retail areas open. This trend intensifies in the afternoon (12pm-6pm), where theft-related crimes reach 46%, likely driven by high footfall in commercial zones. As evening approaches (6pm-12am), the profile shifts significantly toward 'other' crimes (59%), which include public order and anti-social behaviour often associated with the town's nightlife. Night-time (12am-6am) presents a different risk, with vehicle crime peaking at 32% of period offences. This suggests that while personal safety is a focus during the day and evening, property and vehicle security are most at risk during the late-night hours when the town is quietest.

Clacton-on-Sea sits in a diverse regional safety landscape. Its crime rate of 122.1 per 1,000 is lower than the nearby areas of Jaywick (149.3) and St Osyth (141.1), which see some of the highest activity in the district. However, it is significantly more active than the neighbouring village of Little Clacton, which enjoys a much lower rate of 46.4 per 1,000. Seawick, another nearby coastal area, reports a rate of 0.0, though this may reflect its smaller, more seasonal population. For those comparing locations in Tendring, Clacton offers the amenities of a large town but with a higher crime profile than its more rural neighbours, while remaining safer than the most intense hotspots like Jaywick.

Home Security and Proactive Protection in Clacton-on-Sea

In Clacton-on-Sea, the property crime rate of 37.1 per 1,000 people is a clear signal that homeowners need to move beyond basic security. With 173 burglaries and 215 vehicle crimes recorded annually, the limitations of traditional CCTV become apparent. Most standard systems are reactive; they record a crime as it happens, often leaving residents with nothing but footage of a masked intruder.

For genuine protection, a proactive approach is essential. The scOS AI-powered security system is designed to prevent crime before it occurs. By monitoring all your cameras simultaneously with intelligent AI, scOS can detect a threat at the property boundary. In a town like Clacton, where opportunistic theft is common, the ability to trigger autonomous responses—such as lights and voice alerts—can deter a criminal in the 60 seconds they take to evaluate your home. Moving from reactive recording to proactive AI-driven prevention with scOS ensures that your property is no longer an easy target.