Crime in Chorley: statistics, rates and trends

4,885 crimes were recorded in Chorley in the 12 months to July 2026, 117.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 1% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,996 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Chorley has the 193rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Chorley was highest in the year to July 2021 (6,000 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (4,832). Over the whole period it fell 7%, 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 Chorley 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, anti-social behaviour, other crime.

The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+58%) and public order (+36%). The largest falls were in anti-social behaviour (-30%) and bicycle theft (-23%).

Violence and sexual offences in Chorley

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Chorley recorded 1,996 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (47.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 40.9% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Chorley

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Chorley recorded 1,019 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 20.9% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Chorley

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Chorley recorded 351 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Chorley

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Chorley recorded 319 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Chorley

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Chorley recorded 306 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Chorley

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Chorley recorded 248 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Chorley

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Chorley recorded 138 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Chorley

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Chorley recorded 133 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 34% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Chorley

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Chorley recorded 119 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Chorley

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Chorley recorded 113 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Chorley

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Chorley recorded 60 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 58% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Chorley

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Chorley recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Chorley

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Chorley recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Chorley

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Chorley recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

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

5 areas within Chorley, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Chorley South East & Heath Charnock had the highest rate (163.5 per 1,000) and Chorley South West the lowest (77.1). 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 Chorley over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Chorley 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.

Chorley has an estimated population of 41,631. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Chorley sits in decile 4.9, close to the middle. 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 Chorley. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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