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

Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime profile of Clacton-on-Sea in January 2024, accounting for 46.6% of all reported crimes and 54% above the UK average. This stark contrast to the national rate of 2.6 per 1,000 for the same category highlights the area’s unique challenges. With an overall crime rate of 8.5 per 1,000 residents—14.9% higher than the UK average of 7.4—the data suggests a concentrated risk in specific crime types. The coastal location of Clacton-on-Sea, with its mix of residential areas, tourist attractions, and retail hubs, likely contributes to this pattern. The high proportion of violent crimes may be partly explained by the post-holiday period, which can strain community resources and increase social tensions. While property crimes such as shoplifting and other theft remain present, they account for less than 15% of total incidents, underscoring the dominance of interpersonal crime. The seasonal context of January—shorter days, reduced retail footfall, and colder weather—may have dampened outdoor crimes, but the persistent issue of violence indicates deeper systemic factors at play. This aligns with the broader trend in coastal towns, where transient populations and seasonal fluctuations can amplify certain crime dynamics.

January 2024 saw a notable 100% increase in robbery and theft from the person, rising from 1 to 2 incidents each. This sharp rise, though still low in absolute terms, may reflect heightened vulnerability in specific locations such as late-night transport hubs or isolated areas. Conversely, bicycle theft and vehicle crime both fell sharply—by 50% and 46.7% respectively—possibly linked to reduced outdoor activity and colder weather deterring opportunistic theft. The breakdown of crime types reveals that violence and sexual offences remain significantly above the UK average (54% higher), while anti-social behaviour is 39% below the national figure. This contrast suggests that local factors, such as community cohesion or policing strategies, may be influencing outcomes in ways that diverge from broader trends. Residents concerned about personal safety should note the 46.6% share of violent crimes, which far outpaces property-related offences in this month’s data.

Clacton-on-Sea’s crime rate in January 2024 fell to 8.5 per 1,000 residents, a 7.9% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 9.3 per 1,000. This decline suggests a possible seasonal shift, with shorter days and reduced foot traffic in retail areas potentially curbing opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 15 reported crimes each day, a figure that contextualises the monthly total of 455 incidents. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 117 residents, a ratio that highlights the frequency of incidents in a community of 53,342 people. This monthly exposure rate, while not alarmingly high, underscores the need for ongoing vigilance, particularly in areas where violent crimes remain represented compared to the UK average. The drop from the previous month may reflect the natural ebb and flow of crime patterns, though no definitive causal factors are evident in the data.