Clacton-on-Sea Crime Rate

Clacton-on-Sea currently maintains a crime rate of 123.8 per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the UK national average of 91.7. Despite this figure, the area holds a safety score of 68/100, suggesting a level of security that exceeds many comparable urban settlements. The recent trend data indicates a stable environment, with a marginal year-over-year decrease of 1.7% in total reported incidents. This coastal town experiences a mix of seasonal fluctuations and steady residential activity, influencing the local crime profile. The following analysis provides a detailed look at the specific crime types, temporal patterns, and local comparisons to help residents and visitors understand the safety landscape from December 2024 to November 2025.

Crime in Clacton-on-Sea

Clacton-on-Sea's crime landscape is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 47.1% of all reported incidents, equating to 58.4 crimes per 1,000 residents. This is followed by criminal damage and arson at 9.0% and anti-social behaviour at 8.6%. These figures highlight a prevalence of high-harm and nuisance-related offences that significantly impact the community's sense of security.

Property crime in Clacton-on-Sea, which includes burglary, robbery, various forms of theft, and vehicle crime, stands at a rate of 37.4 per 1,000 people. This is notably higher than the UK average of 32.3. Other theft (5.8%) and vehicle crime (3.2%) are significant contributors to this category. For residents, this elevated property crime rate necessitates a robust approach to home and vehicle security. Homeowners should be particularly vigilant, as the combined volume of theft and burglary suggests that opportunistic criminals are active within the urban settlement, targeting unsecured properties and belongings.

Crime Trends in Clacton-on-Sea

The crime trend in Clacton-on-Sea is currently classified as stable, with a minor year-over-year decrease of 1.7%. This suggests that the local safety environment is not undergoing any radical shifts. Analysis of the monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows that the crime rate fluctuated between a low of 9.2 in February and a peak of 12.3 in July.

The summer spike in July is typical for a coastal resort like Clacton, likely driven by the influx of seasonal visitors and increased outdoor activity. Following this peak, the rate gradually declined through the autumn, returning to 10.0 by November. This seasonal pattern is important for residents to note, as it indicates that while the annual trend is stable, the risk levels can vary significantly depending on the time of year. For homeowners, this means maintaining consistent security measures even during the quieter winter months, as the underlying property crime rate remains a factor throughout the year.

How To Keep Safe in Clacton-on-Sea

Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime type in Clacton-on-Sea, accounting for nearly half of all reported incidents. While many of these occur in private settings, staying safe in public spaces is a priority for residents and visitors alike.

To enhance your personal safety, always try to stick to well-lit, busy routes when walking at night, especially near the seafront and town centre. Avoid using shortcuts through unlit alleys or parks. When socialising, stay with friends and keep an eye on your surroundings; the "strength in numbers" approach is particularly effective here. It is also wise to be mindful of your alcohol consumption, as high-harm incidents often correlate with nightlife activity. Finally, trust your instincts—if a situation or location feels unsafe, leave immediately and head towards a public place with staff or CCTV coverage. Awareness and preparation are your best tools for staying safe in the local area.

Crime Timing in Clacton-on-Sea

Understanding when crime occurs is key to local prevention. In Clacton-on-Sea, theft is most prevalent during the daylight hours, accounting for 43% of morning crimes and 47% of afternoon incidents. This aligns with peak retail and commercial activity in the town centre. As the day progresses, the nature of crime shifts significantly.

The evening and night periods see a rise in more covert or opportunistic offences. Vehicle crime is particularly intense during the night (12am-6am), representing 31% of all reports in that timeframe. Burglary also peaks during these late hours at 16%. Conversely, 'other' crimes, which often include public order and anti-social behaviour, dominate the evening hours (6pm-12am) at 59%. This data suggests that while property theft is a daytime concern, vehicle and home security should be the primary focus for residents once the sun goes down.

When examining the regional context, Clacton-on-Sea's crime rate of 123.8 per 1,000 residents sits between its neighbours. It is significantly safer than Jaywick, which experiences a much higher rate of 151.5 per 1,000, and St Osyth, which records 138.3. Conversely, the nearby village of Little Clacton is considerably quieter, with a much lower rate of 47.3 per 1,000. Seawick stands out with a reported rate of 0.0, likely due to its smaller, more transient population. For those looking at the Tendring coast, Clacton-on-Sea offers a middle ground, providing more amenities than the smaller villages while maintaining a better safety profile than some of the more challenged adjacent areas.

Protecting Your Property in Clacton-on-Sea

With a property crime rate of 37.4 per 1,000 residents, Clacton-on-Sea homeowners face a higher-than-average risk of theft and burglary. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or standard alarm systems, are often reactive—they record a crime as it happens or alert you after a break-in has occurred. In an area where vehicle crime peaks at 31% during the night, reactive measures simply aren't enough to provide true peace of mind.

To effectively safeguard your home, you should consider a proactive approach. Systems like scOS utilise AI-powered intelligence to detect potential threats at your property boundary before they escalate. By watching all cameras simultaneously and learning your family's routines, scOS can distinguish between a delivery driver and a genuine intruder. This autonomous response—activating lights or speakers the moment a threat is identified—destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on. In Clacton-on-Sea, where 16% of night-time crime is burglary, moving from simple recording to active prevention is the most effective way to ensure your home remains a safe haven.