Crime in Chester: statistics, rates and trends
9,554 crimes were recorded in Chester in the 12 months to July 2026, 103.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Chester at a glance
- Crime trends in Chester
- Types of crime in Chester
- Chester compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Chester
- Streets with the most crime in Chester
- What happened after crimes were reported in Chester
- Population and deprivation in Chester
- Questions about crime in Chester
- About this data
9,554 crimes were recorded in Chester in the 12 months to July 2026, 103.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,218 reports (44% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Chester has the 324th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Chester | Cheshire West and Chester | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 9,554 | 27,080 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 103.1 | 72.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +2% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 92,648 | 371,652 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Chester was highest in the year to July 2018 (12,404 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (9,362). Over the whole period it fell 23%, 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 | 9,554 | 103.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 9,362 | 101.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 9,701 | 104.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 10,280 | 111.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 10,173 | 109.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 10,429 | 112.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 10,903 | 117.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 10,703 | 115.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 12,404 | 133.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 948 |
| June 2026 | 810 |
| May 2026 | 832 |
| April 2026 | 735 |
| March 2026 | 811 |
| February 2026 | 782 |
| January 2026 | 731 |
| December 2025 | 815 |
| November 2025 | 749 |
| October 2025 | 755 |
| September 2025 | 726 |
| August 2025 | 860 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Chester 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, public order, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in robbery (+19%) and shoplifting (+15%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-30%) and anti-social behaviour (-14%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 4,218 | 45.5 | 1.33 | +6% |
| Public order | 1,182 | 12.8 | 1.92 | +4% |
| Shoplifting | 986 | 10.6 | 1.28 | +15% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 790 | 8.5 | 0.56 | -14% |
| Other theft | 594 | 6.4 | 1.00 | -3% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 566 | 6.1 | 0.90 | -3% |
| Drugs | 488 | 5.3 | 1.61 | +5% |
| Burglary | 197 | 2.1 | 0.60 | -2% |
| Other crime | 158 | 1.7 | 0.81 | -11% |
| Vehicle crime | 105 | 1.1 | 0.23 | -30% |
| Bicycle theft | 93 | 1.0 | 1.22 | +6% |
| Possession of weapons | 64 | 0.7 | 0.71 | -4% |
| Robbery | 64 | 0.7 | 0.51 | +19% |
| Theft from the person | 49 | 0.5 | 0.31 | -8% |
Violence and sexual offences in Chester
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Chester recorded 4,218 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (45.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 44.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Chester
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Chester recorded 1,182 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 12.4% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Chester
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Chester recorded 986 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 10.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Chester
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Chester recorded 790 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Chester
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Chester recorded 594 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Chester
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Chester recorded 566 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Chester
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Chester recorded 488 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Chester
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Chester recorded 197 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 2% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Chester
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Chester recorded 158 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Chester
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Chester recorded 105 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Chester
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Chester recorded 93 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Chester
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Chester recorded 64 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Chester
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Chester recorded 64 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Chester
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Chester recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Chester, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Chester.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Chester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broughton (Flintshire) | 421 | 63.7 | -38% |
| Ellesmere Port | 6,438 | 92.6 | -10% |
| Hawarden | 717 | 59.7 | -42% |
| Shotton | 987 | 153.7 | +49% |
| Penyffordd | 175 | 34.6 | -66% |
| Connah's Quay | 1,490 | 89.4 | -13% |
| Helsby | 195 | 36.1 | -65% |
| Buckley | 928 | 66.2 | -36% |
8 areas within Chester, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Chester City & the Garden Quarter had the highest rate (232.4 per 1,000) and Great Boughton the lowest (42.2). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester City & the Garden Quarter | Neighbourhood | 19,691 | 4,576 | 232.4 |
| Blacon | Neighbourhood | 13,721 | 1,324 | 96.5 |
| Upton | Neighbourhood | 12,742 | 1,191 | 93.5 |
| Handbridge Park | Neighbourhood | 8,900 | 601 | 67.5 |
| Saltney Ferry | Neighbourhood | 5,199 | 327 | 62.9 |
| Newton & Hoole | Neighbourhood | 15,636 | 857 | 54.8 |
| Lache | Neighbourhood | 6,561 | 348 | 53.0 |
| Great Boughton | Neighbourhood | 12,103 | 511 | 42.2 |
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 over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Shopping Area | 684 |
| On or near Nightclub | 558 |
| On or near Hospital | 479 |
| On or near Parking Area | 447 |
| On or near Supermarket | 352 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 190 |
| On or near Bridge Street | 145 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 142 |
| On or near Lumley Place | 141 |
| On or near Godstall Lane | 122 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Chester 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 | 3,505 | 36.7% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 2,039 | 21.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 899 | 9.4% |
| Under investigation | 869 | 9.1% |
| Not recorded | 790 | 8.3% |
| Local resolution | 516 | 5.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 489 | 5.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 199 | 2.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 81 | 0.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 66 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 49 | 0.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 30 | 0.3% |
Chester has an estimated population of 92,648. On the England IoD 2025 + Wales WIMD 2025 (not comparable), the average neighbourhood in Chester sits in decile 6.4, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Chester |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 65.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 18.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 60.2% |
| Social rented homes | 17.9% |
| Private rented homes | 21.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.4 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 10.2% |
Is Chester a safe place to live?
Chester recorded 103.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 4,218 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by public order (1,182).
Is crime in Chester going up or down?
Recorded crime in Chester was up 2% on the year before: 9,554 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 9,362 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Chester?
Chester 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. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.