Clacton-on-Sea Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Clacton-on-Sea’s crime picture in January 2026, accounting for nearly half of all reported crimes. At 9.0 per 1,000 residents, the area’s crime rate is 32.4% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, highlighting a stark divergence from national trends. This elevated rate contrasts with the UK’s overall profile, where violence and sexual offences typically constitute 2.5 per 1,000 (2.5 per 1,000), but in Clacton, the figure is 4.2 per 1,000 — 68% higher than the UK average. The seasonal context of January, with shorter daylight hours and reduced retail footfall, likely contributes to the prominence of violent crime, which may partly explain the spike in offences compared to the typically busier December period. While property crime remains a concern, it accounts for only 33% of total incidents (158 out of 481), far below the 46.8% share of violent crime. This imbalance suggests that local factors — such as the town’s coastal location and potential for late-night social activity — play a significant role in shaping the crime profile. The UK-wide seasonal dip in property crime during January, driven by holiday closures and reduced shopping activity, appears to have less impact here, where violent crime remains high. This pattern may reflect the area’s unique demographics or community dynamics, though further analysis would be needed to confirm such connections.

January 2026 saw a sharp rise in 'other crime' — a category encompassing a wide range of non-specific offences — which surged by 250% (from 4 to 14 cases), marking the most dramatic month-on-month increase in the dataset. This spike, coupled with a 33.3% rise in criminal damage and arson (from 39 to 52), suggests potential shifts in criminal activity or reporting patterns. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour fell by 31.1% (from 45 to 31), possibly reflecting the seasonal slowdown in public gatherings. Violence and sexual offences — already 68% above the UK average — remained the most significant category, with no signs of abatement. The UK-wide average for this category is 2.5 per 1,000, but Clacton’s rate of 4.2 per 1,000 indicates a persistent challenge in addressing violent crime. Conversely, bicycle theft fell by 50% (from 4 to 2), a drop that may align with the post-holiday period and reduced recreational cycling activity. Burglary also declined by 28.6% (from 14 to 10), though it still lags behind the UK average by 29%. These fluctuations highlight the combination of local and national trends, with some categories showing resilience despite broader patterns. For residents, the 250% increase in 'other crime' underscores the need for vigilance in areas where this category is typically underreported or under-policed.

Clacton-on-Sea’s crime rate in January 2026 rose to 9.0 per 1,000, a 6.7% increase from the previous month’s rate of 8.5 per 1,000. This places the area 32.4% above the UK average, a gap that has likely widened due to the high levels of violent crime. On a daily basis, 16 crimes were reported in January, translating to roughly one crime for every 111 residents over the course of the month. While this figure may seem abstract, it provides a tangible measure of the frequency of incidents affecting the local population. The population-scaled perspective reveals that the area’s crime burden is not evenly distributed: for instance, the rate of violence and sexual offences (4.2 per 1,000) is 68% above the UK average, whereas burglary (0.2 per 1,000) is 29% below the UK rate of 0.3 per 1,000. This contrast suggests that while certain crime types are being effectively managed, others — particularly those involving interpersonal conflict — remain a pressing concern. The 6.7% month-on-month increase may be influenced by factors such as the transition from the holiday season, when crime rates typically dip, to the quieter, colder months of winter. However, the persistent elevation in violent crime relative to the UK average indicates a deeper, more systemic issue that requires targeted interventions.