Chesham Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Chesham's overall crime rate in July 2023 stood at 7.4 per 1,000 residents, marking a 10.8% reduction compared to the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000. This performance places the area among the safer built-up regions in the country. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 40.0% of total incidents (64 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (19 cases, 11.9%) and other theft (17 cases, 10.6%). These figures align with patterns typical of medium-sized commuter towns, where social tensions and community dynamics often influence violent crime rates. The seasonal context of July—characterised by extended daylight hours, school holidays, and increased tourism—likely contributed to the prominence of violence and sexual offences, as outdoor spaces and public venues become more active. Anti-social behaviour rates in Chesham were 37% below the UK average, suggesting effective local policing strategies or community engagement initiatives that may have mitigated disorderly conduct during peak summer months. While violent crime remains the dominant concern, the relatively low rates of property crime (56 cases) compared to the UK average indicate that residential areas in Chesham may benefit from strong community cohesion or secure housing stock. The data also reveals a 33% deficit in shoplifting incidents compared to national figures, reflecting the area's lower retail density or the presence of targeted prevention measures such as CCTV or staff training in local stores.

July 2023 saw several notable shifts in Chesham's crime profile. Anti-social behaviour fell by 40.6% compared to June, declining from 32 to 19 incidents—a reduction that may reflect the impact of summer-specific policing operations or natural seasonal variations in public conduct. Conversely, burglary rates surged by 400%, rising from 1 to 5 cases, indicating a potential vulnerability in residential security during the summer months when homes may be unoccupied for holidays. Theft from the person also increased by 200%, climbing from 1 to 3 incidents, a trend that could be linked to the influx of tourists or the increased use of public transport during peak season. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson fell by 41.7%, dropping from 24 to 14 cases, due to the absence of school holidays reducing opportunities for vandalism. The area's violent crime rate (3.0 per 1,000) was 8% above the UK average for this category, highlighting a specific challenge in managing aggression and sexual offences during summer festivals and events. This contrast with the 39% deficit in burglary rates (0.2 per 1,000 vs UK's 0.3 per 1,000) underscores the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas such as parks and community centres. Residents might find the 33% lower rate of shoplifting (0.4 per 1,000 vs UK's 0.6 per 1,000) reassuring, though the 21% increase in other theft (0.8 per 1,000 vs UK's 0.7 per 1,000) suggests vigilance is still required for non-retail thefts.

Chesham's crime rate in July 2023 increased by 3.9% compared to June's 7.1 per 1,000, reflecting a small but measurable upward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 5 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that, while seemingly low, warrants attention given the concentrated nature of incidents in specific categories. The monthly exposure statistic reveals that over the course of July, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 135 residents—a rate that, when contextualised against the local population of 21,592, suggests that the majority of residents are unaffected by crime. However, this aggregate figure masks the uneven distribution of crime types, with violence and sexual offences affecting the community. The 10.8% gap between Chesham's rate and the UK average (8.3 per 1,000) remains significant. monthly increase indicates a need for continued monitoring. This contrast with the UK's overall performance is particularly notable in categories like anti-social behaviour (37% below the UK average) and vehicle crime (38% below), which may reflect the area's lower population density and reduced congestion compared to larger urban centres. The 39% deficit in burglary rates (0.2 per 1,000 vs UK's 0.3 per 1,000) further highlights Chesham's comparative safety in residential crime, potentially linked to its status as a commuter town with a strong emphasis on community policing. These comparative metrics provide residents with a benchmark to assess local performance, though the 8% above-average rate for violent crime serves as a reminder of the need for targeted interventions in this category.