Chesham Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Chesham's crime profile in June 2023 revealed an unusual spike in criminal damage and arson, which occurred at a rate of 1.1 per 1,000 residents—72% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This stands in contrast to the area’s overall crime rate of 7.1 per 1,000, which is 16.5% below the national average of 8.5 per 1,000. The most common crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 37.7% of all reported crimes.7 per 1,000 was 8% lower than the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 20.8% of total crimes, with a rate of 1.5 per 1,000—just 1% above the UK average. The seasonal context of June, with its longer daylight hours and the early stages of summer tourism, may have contributed to increased activity in public spaces. The relatively low rates of vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000, 57% below the UK average) and shoplifting (0.2 per 1,000, 63% below the UK average) suggest that Chesham’s built-up area, likely with limited retail density, experiences fewer opportunities for such offences compared to more commercialised urban centres. The overall pattern indicates a balance between localised spikes in specific categories and consistent performance below the UK average in others, reflecting the area’s character as a smaller, low-density built-up zone within Buckinghamshire.

June 2023 saw significant month-on-month changes in Chesham’s crime profile. Anti-social behaviour increased by 60%, rising from 20 to 32 incidents, a shift that may be linked to the early summer social season and increased public activity. Possession of weapons and drug-related offences both doubled from one to two cases, though these remain low-frequency issues. Conversely, burglary dropped by two-thirds (from three to one), and vehicle crime fell by 63.6% (from 11 to four), potentially reflecting seasonal patterns where fewer vehicles are parked in residential areas during longer daylight hours. The breakdown of crime types reveals striking contrasts with the UK average: criminal damage and arson, at 1.1 per 1,000, is 72% higher than the national rate, while public order offences are 25% lower than the UK average. This divergence highlights the area’s unique dynamics, where property-related offences are less frequent but incidents of deliberate damage are high. For residents, the 60% increase in anti-social behaviour—now accounting for 20.8% of all crimes—may be a practical concern, as it suggests a need for community-focused interventions in public spaces.

Chesham’s crime rate in June 2023 (7.1 per 1,000) was 6.2% lower than the previous month’s rate of 7.6 per 1,000, reflecting a downward trend that aligns with the seasonal shift into summer. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly five crimes per day, a figure that is likely manageable for a community of 21,592 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 140 residents—a monthly exposure rate that places Chesham among the safer areas in the UK, where the average resident has a lower probability of being directly affected by crime compared to the national average. When scaled to population size, the area’s performance is particularly notable: violent crimes, at 2.7 per 1,000, are 8% below the UK average, and vehicle crime is 57% below the national rate. These figures suggest that Chesham’s built-up area, with its likely mix of residential and commercial zones, benefits from a lower density of high-risk environments such as nightlife hubs or major transport nodes. However, the 72% increase in criminal damage and arson compared to the UK average indicates a need for targeted measures in areas where vandalism is concentrated, such as parks or public infrastructure.