Crime in Chelmsford: statistics, rates and trends

11,086 crimes were recorded in Chelmsford in the 12 months to July 2026, 97.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,558 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Chelmsford has the 389th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Chelmsford was highest in the year to July 2019 (14,239 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (10,698). Over the whole period it fell 12%, 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 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 shoplifting, drugs.

The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+39%) and robbery (+35%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-24%) and theft from the person (-23%).

Violence and sexual offences in Chelmsford

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Chelmsford recorded 4,558 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (39.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 41.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Chelmsford

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Chelmsford recorded 1,356 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 12.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Chelmsford

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Chelmsford recorded 1,122 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Chelmsford

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Chelmsford recorded 738 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Chelmsford

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Chelmsford recorded 707 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Chelmsford

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Chelmsford recorded 647 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Chelmsford

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Chelmsford recorded 587 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Chelmsford

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Chelmsford recorded 408 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Chelmsford

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Chelmsford recorded 297 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Chelmsford

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Chelmsford recorded 226 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Chelmsford

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Chelmsford recorded 124 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Chelmsford

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Chelmsford recorded 120 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Chelmsford

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Chelmsford recorded 104 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Chelmsford

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Chelmsford recorded 92 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

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

13 areas within Chelmsford, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Moulsham and Central had the highest rate (255.8 per 1,000) and The Lawns the lowest (34.9). 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 Chelmsford over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Chelmsford 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 has an estimated population of 114,157. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Chelmsford sits in decile 7.3, 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. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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