Crime in Chard: statistics, rates and trends
1,834 crimes were recorded in Chard in the 12 months to July 2026, 125.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 10% on the year before.
Table of Contents
1,834 crimes were recorded in Chard in the 12 months to July 2026, 125.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 10% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 771 reports (42% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Chard has the 146th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Chard | Somerset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,834 | 53,466 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 125.5 | 90.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +10% | +6% | -1% |
| Population | 14,616 | 588,328 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Chard was highest in the year to July 2026 (1,834 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (1,227). Over the whole period it rose 36%, 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 | 1,834 | 125.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,667 | 114.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,520 | 104.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,227 | 83.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,406 | 96.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,334 | 91.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,365 | 93.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,460 | 99.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,345 | 92.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 140 |
| June 2026 | 139 |
| May 2026 | 162 |
| April 2026 | 171 |
| March 2026 | 191 |
| February 2026 | 152 |
| January 2026 | 139 |
| December 2025 | 119 |
| November 2025 | 167 |
| October 2025 | 142 |
| September 2025 | 153 |
| August 2025 | 159 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Chard 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 increases were in vehicle crime (+150%) and burglary (+56%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 771 | 52.8 | 1.54 | -2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 225 | 15.4 | 1.00 | +19% |
| Shoplifting | 185 | 12.7 | 1.53 | +3% |
| Public order | 175 | 12.0 | 1.80 | +3% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 127 | 8.7 | 1.28 | +18% |
| Other theft | 96 | 6.6 | 1.03 | +19% |
| Vehicle crime | 85 | 5.8 | 1.18 | +150% |
| Burglary | 61 | 4.2 | 1.18 | +56% |
| Other crime | 48 | 3.3 | 1.56 | +55% |
| Drugs | 20 | 1.4 | 0.42 | -5% |
| Robbery | 17 | 1.2 | 0.86 | +21% |
| Possession of weapons | 13 | 0.9 | 0.92 | +44% |
| Bicycle theft | 11 | 0.8 | 0.91 | +120% |
Violence and sexual offences in Chard
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Chard recorded 771 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (52.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 42.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Chard
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Chard recorded 225 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 12.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Chard
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Chard recorded 185 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Chard
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Chard recorded 175 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 9.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Chard
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Chard recorded 127 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Chard
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Chard recorded 96 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Chard
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Chard recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 150% on the year before. It made up 4.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Chard
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Chard recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 56% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Chard
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Chard recorded 48 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 55% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Chard
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Chard recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Chard
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Chard recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Chard
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Chard recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 44% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Chard
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Chard recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 120% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Chard, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Chard.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Chard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ilminster | 403 | 65.2 | -48% |
| Axminster | 500 | 69.5 | -45% |
| Crewkerne | 608 | 92.3 | -26% |
| Honiton | 670 | 55.0 | -56% |
| Taunton | 8,250 | 127.2 | +1% |
| Monkton Heathfield | 697 | 108.8 | -13% |
| Seaton (East Devon) | 337 | 43.3 | -65% |
| Bridport | 820 | 82.3 | -34% |
2 areas within Chard, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Chard North had the highest rate (103.3 per 1,000) and Chard South the lowest (98.9). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chard North | Neighbourhood | 10,823 | 1,118 | 103.3 |
| Chard South | Neighbourhood | 8,835 | 874 | 98.9 |
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 Chard over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Henson Park | 116 |
| On or near Supermarket | 92 |
| On or near Parking Area | 66 |
| On or near Tapstone Road | 58 |
| On or near Commercial Row | 52 |
| On or near Great Western Road | 51 |
| On or near Coker Way | 49 |
| On or near Silver Street | 45 |
| On or near Essex Close | 37 |
| On or near Cambridge Street | 35 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Chard 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 | 672 | 36.6% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 425 | 23.2% |
| Not recorded | 225 | 12.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 120 | 6.5% |
| Under investigation | 108 | 5.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 94 | 5.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 73 | 4.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 46 | 2.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 31 | 1.7% |
| Local resolution | 22 | 1.2% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 8 | 0.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 5 | 0.3% |
Chard has an estimated population of 14,616. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Chard sits in decile 4.7, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Chard |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 24.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 62.1% |
| Social rented homes | 20.1% |
| Private rented homes | 17.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.7 |
Is Chard a safe place to live?
Chard recorded 125.5 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 Chard?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 771 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (225).
Is crime in Chard going up or down?
Recorded crime in Chard was up 10% on the year before: 1,834 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,667 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Chard?
Chard is policed by Avon and Somerset. 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 Chard. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.