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

Walton-on-the-Naze recorded a crime rate of 6.1 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, placing it 10.3% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This figure reflects a mixed picture of crime trends shaped by both local and seasonal factors. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 46.3% of all reported incidents (19 out of 41), followed by criminal damage and arson (19.5%, 8 incidents) and anti-social behaviour (12.2%, 5 incidents). These rates highlight the area’s ongoing challenges with violent crime, though the overall rate remains lower than the UK average. The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period with reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours—likely contributed to the drop in shoplifting and other theft, which fell by 66.7% compared to December. However, the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour and public order offences suggests that community dynamics, such as increased social gatherings during the holiday season, may have influenced these categories. The area’s coastal location and relatively small population of 6,740 residents also shape its crime profile, with fewer opportunities for large-scale property crime but a higher proportion of violent incidents relative to the UK average. This pattern is consistent with other coastal towns, where seasonal tourism and limited public spaces can drive certain types of criminal activity.

January 2026 saw a sharp 400% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from one incident to five, while public order offences doubled from zero to two. This uptick contrasts with a 66.7% decline in shoplifting and other theft, which fell from six to two incidents. Violent crimes also decreased by 34.5%, dropping from 29 to 19. Violence and sexual offences remained 12% above the UK average, while criminal damage and arson were 150% above the national benchmark. These disparities suggest local factors—such as the area’s coastal location and seasonal tourism patterns—may influence certain crime types. For residents, the sharp drop in shoplifting is a welcome sign, though the rise in anti-social behaviour warrants attention. The area’s crime mix remains skewed towards violent and property crimes, with property crimes accounting for 34% of the total (14 out of 41) and violent crimes making up 46.3% (19 out of 41). This balance differs from the UK average, where property crimes typically dominate.

Walton-on-the-Naze's crime rate in January 2026 fell by 21.2% compared to the previous month, marking a clear downward trend. With 41 crimes recorded over 31 days, the area averaged roughly one crime per day—a rate significantly lower than many comparable towns. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 164 residents, a figure that contextualises the exposure level for local residents. This monthly exposure is lower than the UK average when scaled to population size, though Walton-on-the-Naze’s smaller population naturally influences this ratio. The drop in violent crimes—down 34.5% from December—suggests a possible seasonal effect, as shorter days and post-holiday footfall may reduce opportunities for certain types of crime. However, the increase in anti-social behaviour and public order offences, though statistically significant, remains below the UK average for those categories. This contrast highlights the area’s unique dynamics, where community-focused policing or local events may play a role in shaping crime patterns.