Crime in Chorley district: statistics, rates and trends

9,526 crimes were recorded in Chorley district in the 12 months to July 2026, 78.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,940 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Chorley district has the 190th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Chorley district was highest in the year to July 2021 (12,194 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (9,526). Over the whole period it fell 11%, 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 Chorley 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 theft from the person (+37%) and drugs (+30%).

The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-34%) and vehicle crime (-24%).

Violence and sexual offences in Chorley district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Chorley district recorded 3,940 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 41.4% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Chorley district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Chorley district recorded 2,064 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 21.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Chorley district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Chorley district recorded 698 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Chorley district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Chorley district recorded 520 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Chorley district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Chorley district recorded 519 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Chorley district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Chorley district recorded 486 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Chorley district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Chorley district recorded 308 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Chorley district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Chorley district recorded 290 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Chorley district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Chorley district recorded 255 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Chorley district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Chorley district recorded 222 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Chorley district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Chorley district recorded 98 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 27% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Chorley district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Chorley district recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Chorley district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Chorley district recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Chorley district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Chorley district recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 37% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

27 areas within Chorley district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Chorley South East & Heath Charnock had the highest rate (163.5 per 1,000) and Mawdesley the lowest (25.9). 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 Chorley district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Chorley 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.

Chorley district has an estimated population of 120,839. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Chorley district sits in decile 6.5, 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 Chorley district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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