Kursaal, Southend-on-Sea: Safety
Safety
Crime rates in Kursaal have been notably higher than UK and regional averages, but 2026 data shows a real improvement that's bringing the neighbourhood closer to national levels.
In 2024 and 2025, Kursaal recorded around 196 to 221 crimes per 1,000 people, compared to a UK average of roughly 89 to 92. That's a significant gap. Violent crime makes up the largest share, which you'll often see in town centre neighbourhoods with a busy nighttime economy.
The picture is more encouraging in 2026. The annualised rate has dropped sharply to around 114 per 1,000, narrowing the gap with the UK average considerably. Neighbouring neighbourhoods like Milton and Victoria show similar patterns, suggesting a broader local improvement rather than a one-off shift.
Source: police-recorded crime for Kursaal ward (Essex Police, data.police.uk), Jan 2024–Aug 2026; residents from Census 2021. This summary may predate the latest data release; the table below has the current figures.
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Crime rate comparison
Crimes per 1,000 residents, Jan–Dec 2025. Kursaal ward: Essex Police data via data.police.uk; residents from Census 2021. Averages are for all wards in the area over the same months. Planna's safety index uses the latest 12 months instead, so it can differ.
2024
2025
Jan–Aug 2026
Kursaal ward
Crimes/1,000 residents
220.6
Higher than
UK average (England, Wales & N. Ireland)
98.8
Higher than
East of England region average
81.9
Neighbouring wards
Higher than
St. Luke's
89.5
Higher than
Southchurch
83.9
Higher than
Thorpe
43.9
Lower than
Victoria
266.2
Lower than
Milton
289.3
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Types of Crime
Share of police-recorded crimes in Kursaal ward and the East of England region average, Jan–Dec 2025.
This ward
Regional average
- Violent offences45%38%
- Anti-social behaviour10%14%
- Criminal damage and arson8%8%
- Public order7%6%
- Other theft6%7%
- Shoplifting6%8%
- Drugs5%3%
- Vehicle crime3%5%
- Burglary3%3%
- Other crime2%2%
- Robbery2%1%
- Possession of weapons2%1%
- Bicycle theft1%1%
- Theft from the person1%1%
