Crime in Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester: statistics, rates and trends
885 crimes were recorded in Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester in the 12 months to August 2026, 128.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and up 13% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester at a glance
- Crime trends in Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester
- Types of crime in Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester
- Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester
- What happened after crimes were reported in Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester
- Demographics of Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester
- Questions about crime in Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (428), public order (98) and anti-social behaviour (84) made up 69% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 707th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the highest quarter.
| Measure | Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester | Cheshire West and Chester | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 885 | 27,265 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 128.3 | 73.4 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +13% | +4% | -1% |
| Population | 6,896 | 371,652 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester peaked in the year to August 2022 (989 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2024 (719). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 2%, in line with England and Wales.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 885 | 128.3 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 780 | 113.1 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 719 | 104.3 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 815 | 118.2 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 989 | 143.4 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 873 | 126.6 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 845 | 122.5 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 904 | 131.1 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 903 | 130.9 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 73 |
| July 2026 | 92 |
| June 2026 | 78 |
| May 2026 | 77 |
| April 2026 | 70 |
| March 2026 | 87 |
| February 2026 | 73 |
| January 2026 | 68 |
| December 2025 | 70 |
| November 2025 | 64 |
| October 2025 | 80 |
| September 2025 | 53 |
Compared with England and Wales, Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester recorded notably more drugs (3.1 times the national rate), public order (2.1 times the national rate) and violence and sexual offences (81% above the national rate), and notably less shoplifting (62% below) and anti-social behaviour (21% below). On the year before, other theft rose from 36 to 51 and drugs rose from 50 to 69, while burglary fell from 33 to 20.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 428 | 62.1 | 34.2 | +10% |
| Public order | 98 | 14.2 | 6.7 | +36% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 84 | 12.2 | 15.4 | +27% |
| Drugs | 69 | 10.0 | 3.3 | +38% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 58 | 8.4 | 6.7 | +29% |
| Other theft | 51 | 7.4 | 6.4 | +42% |
| Other crime | 22 | 3.2 | 2.1 | -4% |
| Shoplifting | 22 | 3.2 | 8.5 | 0% |
| Burglary | 20 | 2.9 | 3.6 | -39% |
| Vehicle crime | 19 | 2.8 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 9 | 1.3 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 3 | 0.4 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.3 | 1.4 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
1 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester; the highest is Wolverham (250.8 per 1,000) and the lowest Strawberry (32.7).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central & Grange | 1,929 | 121.5 | -5% |
| Netherpool | 266 | 54.1 | -58% |
| Whitby Park | 459 | 79.7 | -38% |
| Wolverham | 1,135 | 250.8 | +95% |
| Sutton Villages | 861 | 82.0 | -36% |
| Whitby Groves | 316 | 72.5 | -43% |
| Ledsham & Manor | 353 | 32.9 | -74% |
| Strawberry | 155 | 32.7 | -75% |
The 10 locations below account for 42% of the crime recorded in Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “John Nicholas Crescent” (60).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near John Nicholas Crescent | 60 |
| On or near Venables Way | 59 |
| On or near Parking Area | 46 |
| On or near Shephard Close | 37 |
| On or near Grosvenor Wharf Road | 36 |
| On or near Westminster Grove | 34 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 27 |
| On or near Egerton Street | 26 |
| On or near Bateman Close | 24 |
| On or near Cook Street | 23 |
Of the 801 crimes in Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester with a recorded outcome, 18% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 6.9% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 84 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 384 | 47.9% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 148 | 18.5% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 77 | 9.6% | 11.5% |
| Local resolution | 64 | 8.0% | 3.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 55 | 6.9% | 5.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 26 | 3.2% | 2.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 19 | 2.4% | 4.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 14 | 1.7% | 1.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.5% | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 4 | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.4% | 0.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.4% | 0.5% |
Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester has an estimated population of 6,896 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has more social housing (35%, against 17%), a younger population (11%, against 19%) and fewer retired residents (14%, against 22%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester average decile 3.0 (1 = most deprived), more deprived than average.
| Measure | Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 21.9% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 10.6% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 60.6% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 3.9% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 13.5% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 5.4% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 24.2% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 21.6% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 29.5% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 40.9% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 34.5% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 24.4% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.0 | 5.5 (England) |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 20.6% | 10.1% (England) |
Is Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester a safe place to live?
Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester recorded 128.3 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 707th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were drugs and public order.
What is the most common crime in Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 428 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by public order (98).
Is crime in Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester going up or down?
Recorded crime in Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester was up 13% on the year before: 885 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 780 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester?
About 6,896 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 11% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester?
Westminster, Cheshire West and Chester is policed by Cheshire.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.