Clacton-on-Sea Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Clacton-on-Sea

Clacton-on-Sea reports an overall crime rate of 124.7 per 1,000 residents annually, which is higher than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. This is reflected in its safety score of 68 out of 100, placing it below the national average of 78. Over the past year, the crime rate in Clacton-on-Sea has remained stable, showing a negligible decrease of 0.4% year-over-year. These figures provide an initial understanding of the local crime landscape, with subsequent sections offering a more in-depth analysis of specific crime types, trends, and comparisons with adjacent areas.

Crime Type Analysis in Clacton-on-Sea

Clacton-on-Sea's crime landscape is dominated by Violence and sexual offences, which account for 46.5% of all reported incidents, at a rate of 58.0 per 1,000 residents. Following this are Criminal damage and arson at 9.1% (11.4 per 1,000) and Shoplifting at 9.0% (11.3 per 1,000). These statistics highlight a significant focus on personal safety concerns and issues within commercial areas.

When considering property-related crime, encompassing burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, Clacton-on-Sea records a rate of 39.4 per 1,000 people. This is higher than the national average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. For residents and homeowners, these figures underscore the importance of robust home security measures and vigilance, particularly concerning theft-related offences which are more prevalent in this area compared to the wider UK.

Crime Trends in Clacton-on-Sea

Clacton-on-Sea has experienced a stable crime trend over the past year, with a minor decrease of 0.4% year-over-year. Monthly crime rates per 1,000 residents show some variability. Starting at 11.6 in October 2024, the rate saw a dip to 9.2 in February 2025, before gradually increasing through the spring and summer months, reaching a peak of 12.3 in July 2025. Following this summer peak, the crime rate decreased slightly towards September 2025, settling at 9.6. This pattern suggests a seasonal influence, with higher crime activity during the warmer months, potentially linked to increased tourism or outdoor activities. Residents should be aware of these seasonal fluctuations and maintain vigilance, particularly during peak periods.

Understanding Crime Time Patterns in Clacton-on-Sea

Analysing crime patterns by time of day in Clacton-on-Sea reveals distinct shifts in activity. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), theft-related offences are most prominent, accounting for 42% of crimes, alongside 11% vehicle crime and 8% burglary. The afternoon period (12pm-6pm) sees theft remain high at 46%, with a slight increase in burglary to 13%, likely reflecting increased activity in commercial and residential areas. As the evening approaches (6pm-12am), the landscape changes significantly, with 'Other' crimes (including violence, public order, and anti-social behaviour) surging to 61%, while theft drops to 18%. This indicates a shift towards personal safety and public order concerns during later hours. Overnight (12am-6am), vehicle crime becomes a substantial factor at 30%, coupled with 15% burglary and 46% 'Other' crimes, suggesting a focus on opportunistic property crimes when properties are less attended.

Regional Crime Comparison

Comparing Clacton-on-Sea to nearby areas offers valuable local context. Jaywick, for instance, often presents a different socio-economic profile that can influence its crime statistics. Little Clacton, being a smaller settlement, may exhibit lower overall crime rates and different crime patterns. Similarly, St Osyth and Seawick, both coastal areas, will have their own unique crime dynamics, potentially influenced by seasonal tourism or residential characteristics. Understanding these comparisons helps residents and potential movers in Clacton-on-Sea to contextualise their local safety within the immediate regional landscape, showing how it compares to its closest neighbours.

Protecting Your Property in Clacton-on-Sea

With Clacton-on-Sea's property crime rate of 39.4 per 1,000 residents being higher than the national average, effective home security is a crucial consideration. Relying solely on reactive security, such as traditional CCTV cameras that merely record a crime in progress, often means you're left with footage of your burglary rather than preventing it. For those seeking proactive protection, an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS offers a robust alternative. Designed to detect threats at your property boundary, scOS prevents crime before it happens. Its multi-camera intelligence and pattern learning capabilities differentiate real threats from routine activities, triggering an autonomous response with lights and speakers to deter intruders. This professional-grade deterrence aims to make potential burglars move on within the critical 60-second decision window, offering a superior level of prevention compared to systems that only alert you after the fact.