Colchester vs Leiston — Crime Comparison 2026

Side-by-side crime statistics from official UK Police data.

Colchester

CO2 · Essex

203

crimes in April 2026

Above national average

  • Violence & sexual offences82
  • Anti-social behaviour26
  • Vehicle crime18

Leiston

IP16 · Suffolk

30

crimes in April 2026

Below national average

  • Violence & sexual offences19
  • Anti-social behaviour3
  • Other theft2

Leiston has less crime — 30 vs 203 incidents in April 2026.

What the data shows

Colchester recorded substantially more crime than Leiston in April 2026 — 203 incidents compared to 30, a 6.8x difference. The crime profiles diverge meaningfully: Colchester sees higher rates of Vehicle crime (18), while Leiston has more Other theft (2). Colchester sits above the national average for recorded crime while Leiston is below — a significant gap for anyone weighing up the two.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Colchester or Leiston safer?

Based on April 2026 Police data, Leiston recorded fewer crimes than Colchester — 30 vs 203 incidents. That is 85% fewer crimes. Leiston is also below the national average for crime.

What are the main differences in crime between Colchester and Leiston?

The main difference lies in crime type. In April 2026, Colchester saw higher rates of Vehicle crime while Leiston had more Other theft. Overall, Leiston recorded fewer total crimes (30 vs 203).

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