Lowest-crime areas in Colchester
Of Colchester's 21 neighbourhoods, West Mersea recorded the lowest crime rate, 43 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, and Central Colchester the highest, 295 crimes per 1,000 residents. 15 of 21 are below the England and Wales rate of 97 crimes per 1,000 residents. Figures cover October 2025 to September 2026.
Colchester neighbourhoods by crime rate
| # | Neighbourhood | Crimes per 1,000 | Compared with England and Wales | Most common |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Merseaaround CO5 8RB | 43 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 2 | Layer-de-la-Haye, Abberton & Mersea Eastaround CO2 0ET | 43 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 3 | West Bergholt & Wormingfordaround CO6 3BW | 46 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 4 | Tiptreearound CO5 0TE | 48 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 5 | Horkesley Heath, Langham & Dedhamaround CO4 5RS | 49 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 6 | Prettygate & Westlandsaround CO3 4SJ | 54 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 7 | Lexdenaround CO3 4HF | 56 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 8 | Wivenhoe & Universityaround CO7 9PL | 58 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 9 | Marks Tey & Wakes Colnearound CO6 1DU | 67 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 10 | Parson's Heatharound CO4 3DS | 73 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 11 | Highwoodsaround CO4 9XS | 73 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 12 | Monkwickaround CO2 8NX | 82 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 13 | Old Heath & Rowhedgearound CO2 8BE | 87 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 14 | Stanwayaround CO3 0QA | 87 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 15 | Shrub Endaround CO2 9GL | 90 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 16 | Mile End North, Braiswick & Kingswood Heatharound CO4 6AW | 99 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 17 | Abbey Fieldaround CO3 3DS | 109 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 18 | New Town & Hythearound CO1 2EA | 112 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 19 | Mile End Southaround CO4 5GP | 125 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
| 20 | Greensteadaround CO4 3YA | 173 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
| 21 | Central Colchesteraround CO1 1ES | 295 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
Source: data.police.uk, October 2025 to September 2026, and ONS population estimates. Rates are per 1,000 residents, so town and city centres, with many visitors and few residents, rank high.
Questions
Which area of Colchester has the lowest crime rate?
West Mersea had the lowest recorded crime rate in Colchester from October 2025 to September 2026: 43 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, against 97 crimes per 1,000 residents across England and Wales.
Which area of Colchester has the highest crime rate?
Central Colchester had the highest recorded crime rate in Colchester from October 2025 to September 2026: 295 crimes per 1,000 residents a year. Busy centres often rank high because rates are per resident, not per visitor.
How is the crime rate worked out?
Crimes reported to police and published on data.police.uk over the last 12 months, divided by each neighbourhood's population from ONS estimates. Neighbourhoods are the ONS areas of about 7,000 people that the House of Commons Library has named.