Crime in Chester City & the Garden Quarter: statistics, rates and trends
4,576 crimes were recorded in Chester City & the Garden Quarter in the 12 months to July 2026, 232.4 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Chester City & the Garden Quarter at a glance
- Crime trends in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
- Types of crime in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
- Chester City & the Garden Quarter compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
- What happened after crimes were reported in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
- Population and deprivation in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
- Questions about crime in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
- About this data
4,576 crimes were recorded in Chester City & the Garden Quarter in the 12 months to July 2026, 232.4 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,755 reports (38% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Chester City & the Garden Quarter has the 140th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Chester City & the Garden Quarter | Cheshire West and Chester | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 4,576 | 27,080 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 232.4 | 72.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -1% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 19,691 | 371,652 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Chester City & the Garden Quarter was highest in the year to July 2018 (6,466 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (4,223). Over the whole period it fell 29%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 4,576 | 232.4 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 4,622 | 234.7 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 4,843 | 245.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 5,015 | 254.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 4,895 | 248.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 4,223 | 214.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 4,770 | 242.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 5,351 | 271.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 6,466 | 328.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 435 |
| June 2026 | 366 |
| May 2026 | 367 |
| April 2026 | 348 |
| March 2026 | 394 |
| February 2026 | 355 |
| January 2026 | 344 |
| December 2025 | 412 |
| November 2025 | 385 |
| October 2025 | 376 |
| September 2025 | 350 |
| August 2025 | 444 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Chester City & the Garden Quarter 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. Rates were well above the national level for violence and sexual offences, shoplifting, public order.
The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-37%) and other crime (-22%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,755 | 89.1 | 2.60 | +3% |
| Shoplifting | 648 | 32.9 | 3.97 | +9% |
| Public order | 617 | 31.3 | 4.72 | +5% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 402 | 20.4 | 1.33 | -19% |
| Drugs | 335 | 17.0 | 5.20 | -1% |
| Other theft | 296 | 15.0 | 2.35 | -5% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 222 | 11.3 | 1.66 | -8% |
| Burglary | 85 | 4.3 | 1.22 | +1% |
| Bicycle theft | 47 | 2.4 | 2.90 | +0% |
| Other crime | 45 | 2.3 | 1.08 | -22% |
| Theft from the person | 42 | 2.1 | 1.26 | -7% |
| Robbery | 34 | 1.7 | 1.28 | -17% |
| Possession of weapons | 24 | 1.2 | 1.26 | -20% |
| Vehicle crime | 24 | 1.2 | 0.25 | -37% |
Violence and sexual offences in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Chester City & the Garden Quarter recorded 1,755 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (89.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 38.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Chester City & the Garden Quarter recorded 648 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 14.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Chester City & the Garden Quarter recorded 617 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 13.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Chester City & the Garden Quarter recorded 402 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Chester City & the Garden Quarter recorded 335 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Chester City & the Garden Quarter recorded 296 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Chester City & the Garden Quarter recorded 222 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Chester City & the Garden Quarter recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Chester City & the Garden Quarter recorded 47 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Chester City & the Garden Quarter recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Chester City & the Garden Quarter recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Chester City & the Garden Quarter recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Chester City & the Garden Quarter recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Chester City & the Garden Quarter
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Chester City & the Garden Quarter recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Chester City & the Garden Quarter, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Chester City & the Garden Quarter.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Chester City & the Garden Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton & Hoole | 857 | 54.8 | -76% |
| Handbridge Park | 601 | 67.5 | -71% |
| Great Boughton | 511 | 42.2 | -82% |
| Blacon | 1,324 | 96.5 | -58% |
| Upton | 1,191 | 93.5 | -60% |
| Lache | 348 | 53.0 | -77% |
| Christleton & Huntington | 524 | 40.6 | -83% |
| Saughall & Mollington | 170 | 47.4 | -80% |
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 Chester City & the Garden Quarter over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 650 |
| On or near Nightclub | 558 |
| On or near Parking Area | 363 |
| On or near Supermarket | 147 |
| On or near Bridge Street | 145 |
| On or near Lumley Place | 141 |
| On or near Godstall Lane | 122 |
| On or near Delamere Street | 102 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 77 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 71 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Chester City & the Garden Quarter 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 1,389 | 30.4% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 1,121 | 24.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 480 | 10.5% |
| Not recorded | 402 | 8.8% |
| Under investigation | 373 | 8.2% |
| Local resolution | 348 | 7.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 313 | 6.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 83 | 1.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 32 | 0.7% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 12 | 0.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 10 | 0.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 9 | 0.2% |
Chester City & the Garden Quarter has an estimated population of 19,691. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Chester City & the Garden Quarter sits in decile 5.8, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Chester City & the Garden Quarter |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 7.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 79.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 13.1% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 39.9% |
| Social rented homes | 17.7% |
| Private rented homes | 42.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.8 |
Is Chester City & the Garden Quarter a safe place to live?
Chester City & the Garden Quarter recorded 232.4 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Chester City & the Garden Quarter?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,755 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (648).
Is crime in Chester City & the Garden Quarter going up or down?
Recorded crime in Chester City & the Garden Quarter was almost unchanged on the year before: 4,576 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 4,622 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Chester City & the Garden Quarter?
Chester City & the Garden Quarter is policed by Cheshire. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 Chester City & the Garden Quarter. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.