Crime in Chelmsford district: statistics, rates and trends

15,643 crimes were recorded in Chelmsford district in the 12 months to July 2026, 82.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 6,499 reports (42% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Chelmsford district has the 169th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Chelmsford district was highest in the year to July 2019 (19,822 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (14,687). Over the whole period it fell 10%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Chelmsford district over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+45%) and robbery (+35%).

The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-19%) and other crime (-18%).

Violence and sexual offences in Chelmsford district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Chelmsford district recorded 6,499 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (34.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 41.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Chelmsford district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Chelmsford district recorded 1,616 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 10.3% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Chelmsford district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Chelmsford district recorded 1,605 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 45% on the year before. It made up 10.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Chelmsford district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Chelmsford district recorded 1,049 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Chelmsford district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Chelmsford district recorded 1,032 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Chelmsford district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Chelmsford district recorded 1,005 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Chelmsford district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Chelmsford district recorded 735 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Chelmsford district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Chelmsford district recorded 734 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Chelmsford district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Chelmsford district recorded 514 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Chelmsford district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Chelmsford district recorded 325 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Chelmsford district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Chelmsford district recorded 152 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Chelmsford district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Chelmsford district recorded 140 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Chelmsford district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Chelmsford district recorded 121 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Chelmsford district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Chelmsford district recorded 116 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to Chelmsford district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Chelmsford district.

38 areas within Chelmsford district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Moulsham and Central had the highest rate (255.8 per 1,000) and South Woodham-Chetwood and Collingwood the lowest (27.5). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Chelmsford district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Chelmsford district over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Chelmsford district has an estimated population of 188,803. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Chelmsford district sits in decile 7.1, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Chelmsford district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.