Walton-on-the-Naze Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Walton-on-the-Naze’s crime rate for February 2026 stood at 6.7 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 4.7% above the UK average of 6.4. This slight but notable deviation from the national picture highlights specific local patterns. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 51.1% of all reported crimes, significantly outpacing the UK average of 2.3 per 1,000 (47% above). This concentration of violent crime may reflect the area’s character as a coastal town with a mix of residential and tourist activity, where late-night foot traffic and seasonal events could contribute to higher incidents. Public order offences also rose sharply, with a rate of 0.7 per 1,000—71% above the UK average. This category’s spike could be linked to increased social gatherings during the winter months or temporary spikes in alcohol-related incidents. In contrast, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour both fell below the UK average, suggesting that the area’s relatively low retail density or community policing efforts may be tempering these categories. February, a winter month with reduced outdoor activity, typically sees a pre-spring lull in crime, yet Walton-on-the-Naze’s figures show a combination of seasonal factors and local dynamics. The predominance of violent crime over property crime also contrasts with broader UK trends, where property crimes often dominate. This divergence underscores the need for tailored approaches to crime prevention in this specific coastal context.

February 2026 saw significant month-on-month fluctuations in Walton-on-the-Naze’s crime profile. Public order offences surged by 150%, jumping from 2 to 5 incidents, a stark increase that may signal heightened tensions or disruptions in local community spaces during the winter. Robbery and other crime both doubled from the previous month, with one incident each—highlighting potential vulnerabilities in personal safety during low-traffic periods. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson fell by 50%, from 8 to 4, possibly reflecting a seasonal decline in vandalism or more effective local enforcement. Anti-social behaviour also decreased by 40%, from 5 to 3. The area’s shoplifting rate (0.5 per 1,000) was 14% below the UK average, a small but consistent edge that may stem from the town’s limited retail presence. Conversely, bicycle theft was 400% above the UK average, a striking anomaly that could point to a local cycling culture or gaps in securing personal property. These shifts illustrate how specific local factors—such as population density, tourism cycles, and community engagement—interact with broader national trends. For residents, the sharp rise in public order offences may be a particularly pressing concern, warranting closer attention to community policing strategies.

Walton-on-the-Naze’s crime rate in February 2026 rose 9.9% compared to the previous month, increasing from 6.1 to 6.7 per 1,000 residents. This upward trend, though modest, contrasts with the UK-wide average of 6.4, placing the area slightly above the national benchmark. On a daily basis, the town recorded an average of 2 crimes per day across 28 days, a figure that may feel more tangible to residents than aggregated statistics. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 150 residents—a monthly exposure rate that, while not alarmingly high, underscores the need for vigilance in a small, closely-knit community. With a population of 6,740, the local context is crucial: the crime rate per 1,000 residents allows for direct comparisons to other similarly sized areas but does not fully capture the lived experience of residents. The 4.7% gap above the UK average, though statistically significant, must be interpreted through the lens of Walton-on-the-Naze’s unique geography and demographics. As a coastal town, the area’s crime profile may diverge from urban centres, with violence and public order offences carrying more weight than in other parts of the country. These figures, when contextualised against the town’s population size and seasonal rhythms, provide a clearer picture of how local factors shape the crime profile relative to the national context.