Chesham Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Chesham's crime rate in January 2026 stood at 5.1 crimes per 1,000 residents, placing the area 25% below the UK average of 6.8. This performance highlights a consistent trend of lower-than-national crime levels, particularly in categories that typically see higher rates in similar-sized built-up areas. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 39.1% of all reported incidents (43 cases), with a rate of 2.0 per 1,000—20% below the UK average for this category. Other theft followed at 10.9% (12 cases), while criminal damage and arson made up 10.0% (11 cases). These figures contrast with the UK average for other theft, which is 0.5 per 1,000, suggesting local factors may be driving this particular category. Seasonal context indicates that January's shorter days and post-holiday retail quietude likely contributed to the lower overall crime rate compared to busier months. The area's relatively low violent crime rate, despite being a built-up area, may reflect effective local policing strategies or community engagement initiatives, though this remains speculative without further data. The balance between property and violent crimes appears slightly tilted toward violence, a pattern that could be influenced by Chesham's character as a commuter town with a mix of residential and retail zones. This suggests that while the area maintains a generally safe profile, targeted measures for addressing specific crime types may still be warranted.

January 2026 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with vehicle crime surging by 500% (from 1 to 6 cases) and robbery doubling (from 2 to 4 cases). This sharp increase in vehicle-related crimes may be linked to post-holiday travel patterns or changes in local parking habits, though no definitive causal link can be established without further investigation. Conversely, burglary dropped by 54.5% (from 11 to 5 cases), potentially reflecting improved security measures in homes or a seasonal dip in opportunity for such crimes. The drugs category experienced a 60% decrease (from 5 to 2 cases), a marked shift that could indicate changes in local drug enforcement efforts or shifts in substance use patterns. Chesham's rate for violence and sexual offences (2.0 per 1,000) remains 20% below the UK average, while other theft (0.6 per 1,000) is 30% above the national figure. This contrast suggests that while the area excels in some areas of public safety, targeted attention to other theft may be necessary. Residents might find the 25% UK comparison particularly relevant, as it underscores Chesham's position as a relatively safe built-up area within Buckinghamshire, though local variations in crime types require nuanced understanding.

Chesham's crime rate in January 2026 (5.1 per 1,000) represented an 11.3% decrease from the previous month's rate of 5.7, indicating a downward trend over the short term. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 4 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that provides a tangible sense of local crime frequency for residents. When scaled to the population of 21,592, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 196 residents over the course of the month—a monthly exposure rate that is lower than many comparable areas. This figure helps contextualise the impact of crime on the local population, though this is a monthly aggregate and not a daily frequency. The 25% gap between Chesham's rate and the UK average suggests that the area maintains a consistently safer profile than the national benchmark, a trend that may be reinforced by factors such as its commuter town status and lower population density compared to major urban centres. However, the relative success in reducing violent crime and property crime must be balanced against the higher-than-average rates for specific categories like other theft, which highlights the need for targeted interventions in those areas. These comparative metrics provide a valuable framework for understanding Chesham's position within the broader UK crime profile.