Chesham Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a town of 21,592 residents, Chesham recorded 137 crimes in October 2023, equating to 6.3 crimes per 1,000 people — a rate 21.3% below the UK average. This figure places the area among the safer parts of the country, though the distribution of crime types reveals a distinct profile. Violence and sexual offences dominated with 50 incidents (36.5% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (30, 21.9%) and criminal damage and arson (15, 11.0%). The seasonal context of October, with its shorter days and Halloween festivities, likely contributed to the spikes in anti-social behaviour and property-related crimes. While the overall rate remains comfortably below the UK average, the prominence of violent crime may reflect local dynamics such as the town's proximity to London, which could bring both economic activity and associated challenges. The relatively low rates of vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) and burglary (0.1 per 1,000) suggest effective community policing or environmental design that deters such offences. However, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson — now 11% above the UK average — indicates a need for targeted measures to address this specific trend, linked to seasonal factors or localised issues such as vandalism in public spaces.

October 2023 saw dramatic spikes in criminal damage and arson, which surged by 275% compared to September, and anti-social behaviour, which rose by 114.3%. These increases may be linked to seasonal factors such as Halloween and darker evenings, which can amplify disturbances in public spaces. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 57.1%, possibly due to reduced daylight hours deterring opportunistic theft. Violent crimes, though the largest category (36.5% of total), remain 15% below the UK average for violence and sexual offences. A notable decrease in other theft (50%) suggests improved security measures or reduced opportunities in retail and residential areas. The sharp rise in anti-social behaviour, now 9% above the UK average, underscores the need for community-focused interventions during peak seasonal periods.

Chesham's crime rate in October 2023 rose by 10.5% compared to September, moving from 5.7 to 6.3 per 1,000 residents. While this increase is notable, the area remains 21.3% below the UK average. On a daily basis, the town experienced approximately four crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 158 residents, a ratio that highlights the relatively low frequency of crime in Chesham despite the month-on-month rise. This monthly exposure figure, when considered alongside the population of 21,592, illustrates that most residents are not directly affected by crime, though the increase may signal a need for continued vigilance in high-risk areas.