Chesham Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 21,592 residents, 121 crimes in October 2024 translate to one reported crime for every 178 residents — a figure that contextualises the scale of activity relative to Chesham’s size. At 5.6 crimes per 1,000 people, the area’s rate is 30.9% below the UK average of 8.1, reflecting a consistently lower crime profile compared to national trends. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (33 cases, 27.3% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (27 cases, 22.3%) and public order offences (15 cases, 12.4%). This distribution aligns with patterns typical of a suburban commuter town, where localised disputes and public spaces contribute to anti-social behaviour, while violent crime remains concentrated in specific areas. October’s seasonal context — darker evenings, the start of the festive period, and the clocks going back — may have influenced crime patterns. drop in violence and sexual offences compared to the previous month suggests other factors at play, such as community initiatives or seasonal shifts in activity. The area’s lower-than-average rates for shoplifting (72% below UK average) and criminal damage (49% below) further support the notion of a relatively stable environment, though the rise in burglary and drug-related crimes highlights emerging concerns that warrant closer attention.

October 2024 saw significant shifts in crime types, with burglary jumping 250% from 2 to 7 cases — a stark contrast to the previous month’s figures. This increase, alongside a 100% rise in drug-related crimes and a new incidence of robbery, suggests potential pressures on local policing resources. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 53.8% (from 13 to 6), and shoplifting dropped by 42.9% (from 7 to 4), possibly reflecting the impact of Halloween-themed community events or increased foot patrols. The breakdown of crime types reveals a notable divergence from the UK average: violence and sexual offences in Chesham were 44% below the national rate, while anti-social behaviour was 1% above. This balance may reflect Chesham’s character as a commuter hub with a mix of residential and commercial areas, where anti-social behaviour is more likely to occur in shared spaces but violent crime remains lower due to stronger community cohesion. Residents might find the 72% reduction in shoplifting particularly relevant, as it could indicate effective local retail security measures or seasonal changes in consumer activity.

Chesham’s crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents in October 2024 marks a 15.4% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 6.6, illustrating a downward trend over the past two months. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 4 crimes per day — a figure that, while seemingly high, is tempered by the context of a population of over 21,000. Over the course of the month, this translated to one reported crime for every 178 residents, a metric that provides a tangible sense of exposure for local households. When scaled to the population, Chesham’s crime profile appears markedly safer than the UK average, with rates for key categories such as violence and sexual offences, shoplifting, and criminal damage all significantly below national benchmarks. However, the rise in burglary and drug-related crimes — both of which are now at or near their highest levels in recent months — suggests that certain challenges are emerging. These shifts may be influenced by external factors such as increased property values driving burglary incentives or the availability of illicit drugs in nearby areas. For residents, the combination of lower overall crime rates and targeted increases in specific categories underscores the importance of community vigilance and targeted policing efforts.