Rape in Essex: about half the national conviction rate
One recorded rape in thirty leads to a charge. Nationally it is one in nineteen.
In 2024/25, Essex Police recorded 2,210 rapes. 74 of them led to someone being charged. That's 1 in 30. Across England and Wales the figure is 1 in 19.
The conviction figures show the same gap. Over the last five years Essex has averaged 1.2 rape convictions per 100,000 people a year, against 2.1 nationally. In 2025 it was 27 convictions — 1.4 per 100,000 against 2.7. Essex was below the national rate in every one of the five years.
Chart: Crimes Weekly · GB-CJ-01 · Source: Ministry of Justice, Criminal Justice Statistics (Outcomes by Offence, Dec 2025) · Home Office crime outcomes 2024/25 · ONS mid-2025 population
This isn't a general problem with violent crime. Essex charges GBH and assault cases at about the national rate, or slightly above. The gap is specific to rape.
| Charge rate, 2024/25 | Essex | England & Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Rape | 3.3% | 5.2% |
| GBH with intent | 24.5% | 20.4% |
| Assault with injury | 8.4% | 7.8% |
Table: Crimes Weekly · GB-CJ-02 · Source: Home Office police recorded crime and outcomes open data, year ending March 2025
What the figures can't tell you is why. Rape cases often depend on whether the victim feels able to stay with a long investigation and trial, on how quickly evidence like phones is examined, and on CPS charging decisions, not only on the police. It's a question for Essex Police and the CPS.
Caveats
- Convictions are counted in the year the case finishes, not the year the crime happened, and court backlogs are long.
- Numbers for one county are small — 14 to 32 convictions a year — so single years jump around. The five-year pattern is what matters.
- "Essex" here is the Essex Police area, which includes Southend and Thurrock.
- None of this is published for individual towns. Official conviction figures stop at police force level.
If you've been affected by rape or sexual assault, Rape Crisis England & Wales is on 0808 500 2222.
Sources: Ministry of Justice, Criminal Justice Statistics Quarterly, December 2025 (Outcomes by Offence; rape including attempts, by principal offence). Home Office police recorded crime and outcomes open data, year ending March 2025. ONS mid-2025 population estimates, applied to all five years.
