Clacton-on-Sea Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Clacton-on-Sea’s crime rate in August 2024 stood at 12.8 per 1,000, a figure 56.1% above the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. This stark divergence underscores the area’s unique challenges, particularly in violent crime, which accounted for 43.5% of all reported incidents. Violence and sexual offences alone reached 5.6 per 1,000, more than double the UK average, while shoplifting surged to 1.6 per 1,000—125% above the national rate. These figures illustrate a coastal town grappling with concentrated pockets of disorder, possibly exacerbated by the summer influx of tourists and the associated pressures on public spaces. The seasonal context of August, a peak holiday month, likely contributes to the rise in property-related crimes, as empty homes and increased foot traffic create opportunities for theft. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour, though lower than the UK average, still represented 8.1% of total crimes, indicating ongoing issues in community cohesion. The data also reveals a paradox: while burglary rates were 6% below the UK average, the risk of crime in residential areas may be heightened by the temporary absence of homeowners during the holiday season. This interplay between tourism, local demographics, and crime patterns suggests a need for targeted interventions that address both transient and resident populations. The overall profile of Clacton-on-Sea’s crime profile in August 2024 reflects the tension between its coastal identity, which draws visitors but also introduces vulnerabilities, and the persistent challenges of maintaining public safety in a small but densely populated built-up area.

August 2024 saw a sharp rise in shoplifting, with incidents increasing by 87% to 86 cases, the most significant month-on-month jump in the dataset. This surge may be linked to the influx of tourists during the peak holiday season, as retail areas often become targets for opportunistic theft. Simultaneously, possession of weapons rose by 100%, with reports doubling from three to six, a trend that could signal heightened tensions in public spaces. Conversely, bicycle theft dropped by 80%, due to fewer commuters or increased security measures during the summer months. Violence and sexual offences remained high, at 5.6 per 1,000—108% above the UK average—highlighting a persistent challenge for local authorities. These shifts in crime mix suggest a combination of seasonal factors and localized vulnerabilities, particularly in areas with high foot traffic or transient populations.

Clacton-on-Sea’s crime rate in August 2024 remained stable at 12.7 per 1,000 compared to the previous month, showing minimal fluctuation. This consistency suggests no major disruptions in local crime patterns during the peak holiday season. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 22 crimes per day, a figure that reflects the density of reported incidents over the 31-day period. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 78 residents, a statistic that highlights the frequency of incidents within a relatively small community. This rate, while locally significant, does not directly compare to national daily figures, as such data is not available for the UK. The population-scaled perspective underscores the need for continued monitoring of trends, particularly in categories where Clacton-on-Sea diverges sharply from the UK average, such as violence and shoplifting. These figures provide a baseline for residents to gauge their personal risk relative to the broader population.