Clacton-on-Sea Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Clacton-on-Sea’s crime rate in May 2025 reached 11.3 per 1,000 residents, marking a 39.5% increase over the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This figure underscores the area’s position as a coastal resort with a crime profile shaped by seasonal fluctuations and the interplay between local demographics and tourism. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 45.8% of all reported incidents—84% above the UK average for this category. This dominance of violent crime may be attributed to the town’s role as a destination for both residents and visitors during the spring season, when increased socialising and outdoor activities create environments conducive to such offences. Property crimes, particularly shoplifting and criminal damage, also featured prominently, with shoplifting alone rising to 56 incidents—64% above the UK average. These trends align with May’s seasonal context: longer evenings, bank holidays, and the onset of the summer tourist season typically lead to higher levels of outdoor drinking and socialising, which may contribute to both property and violent crime. While anti-social behaviour incidents were 30% below the UK average, the overall picture remains one of elevated risk, particularly for residents and visitors in areas with high concentrations of retail and leisure activity. The data suggests that the combination of transient populations and local events may be a contributing factor to the area’s elevated crime rate, though further analysis would be needed to confirm causal links.

May 2025 saw a dramatic 118.2% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 11 to 24 incidents. This surge is likely linked to the town’s proximity to major transport routes and the increased presence of unoccupied vehicles during the Easter bank holiday period. Shoplifting also climbed by 60%, with 56 incidents reported—this is 64% above the UK average for the category. The spike may be connected to the influx of tourists and the opening of summer retail activity, which could have created opportunities for opportunistic theft. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 80% compared to April, dropping from five to one incident. This decline might reflect heightened police visibility in public areas during May or the impact of local initiatives targeting street-level crime. Violence and sexual offences remain the dominant category, accounting for 45.8% of all crimes reported—84% above the UK average for this category. Residents should be particularly vigilant in areas with high foot traffic, such as the town centre and coastal promenade, where the combination of seasonal events and increased visitor numbers may contribute to heightened risks.

Clacton-on-Sea’s crime rate rose 9.3% from April 2025 to May 2025, climbing to 11.3 per 1,000 residents from 10.3 per 1,000. This increase aligns with seasonal patterns typical of coastal towns in May, where extended daylight hours and bank holidays often correlate with higher outdoor activity and socialising. On average, 19 crimes were reported per day in May, translating to one reported crime for every 89 residents over the course of the month. While this monthly exposure rate is a local measure, it provides a tangible sense of risk for residents: in a town of 53,342 people, the likelihood of experiencing a crime during May is approximately 1.1%. This figure should be contextualised against the area’s characteristics as a coastal resort with a mix of residential and tourist activity, where transient populations and seasonal events may influence crime dynamics. The rate remains higher than the UK average, but the month-on-month shift underscores the need for ongoing vigilance in specific areas.