Local Area Crime Statistics

Cheshire East Crime Rate

Crime is stable and LOW in Cheshire East

Cheshire East boasts a significantly lower crime rate of 64.7 per 1,000 residents, earning a high safety score of 84/100, well above the UK average.

Overall Crime Rate

64.7
per 1,000 people
31% lower than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

17.8
per 1,000 people
46% lower than UK avg

Based on population of 421,298 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Cheshire East

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Cheshire East
Overall Crime Rate64.7 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate17.8 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score84 out of 100
Population421,298
Trendstable
Comparisonsignificantly lower than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Cheshire East
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences12,32929.345%
Public order2,9036.911%
Anti-social behaviour2,4305.89%
Shoplifting1,9024.57%
Criminal damage and arson1,8304.37%
Other theft1,6443.96%
Drugs1,0682.54%
Burglary9792.34%
Vehicle crime7531.83%
Other crime7381.83%
Possession of weapons2870.71%
Bicycle theft1870.41%
Robbery1220.30%
Theft from the person760.20%

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Cheshire East

Cheshire East presents a reassuring picture regarding crime, with an overall crime rate of 64.7 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure is notably lower than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000, reflecting a generally safer environment. The area achieves a robust safety score of 84 out of 100, surpassing the UK average safety score of 78. In terms of recent trends, Cheshire East has maintained a stable crime landscape, experiencing a slight decrease of 3.1% year-over-year. This stability provides a solid foundation for understanding the detailed crime data that follows, offering residents and prospective movers a clear insight into local safety.

Cheshire East Safety Score

84
Safe
Safety Score out of 100

Cheshire East has a relatively good safety score compared to the UK average (78).

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

Crime Rates Across Cheshire East

Crewe

112.6
per 1,000
High Risk

Macclesfield

82.8
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Alderley Edge

74.7
per 1,000
Low Risk

Nantwich

74.3
per 1,000
Low Risk

Congleton

73.9
per 1,000
Low Risk

Middlewich

71.6
per 1,000
Low Risk

Sandbach

67.1
per 1,000
Low Risk

Shavington

62.0
per 1,000
Low Risk

Alsager

54.7
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Wilmslow

49.6
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Knutsford

49.3
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Willaston (Cheshire East)

48.1
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Crime Rate Risk Levels

Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

Understanding Crime Influences in Cheshire East

Cheshire East is a diverse local authority district characterised by a blend of urban centres, market towns, and significant rural areas. With a population of over 421,000 residents, its varied landscape naturally influences crime statistics. The presence of larger towns like Macclesfield, Crewe, and Congleton contributes to typical urban crime patterns, including retail-related theft and public order incidents. Conversely, the extensive rural areas often experience different types of crime, such as agricultural theft or isolated burglaries. Major transport hubs, particularly around Crewe, can attract transient populations, potentially impacting certain crime categories. The local economy, encompassing diverse sectors from manufacturing to tourism, also plays a role, with areas of higher economic activity or deprivation sometimes correlating with specific crime trends. Understanding these characteristics helps to contextualise the overall crime rate and safety score for Cheshire East.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
12,329 incidents (29.3 per 1,000)
Public order
2,903 incidents (6.9 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
2,430 incidents (5.8 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
1,902 incidents (4.5 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
1,830 incidents (4.3 per 1,000)
Other theft
1,644 incidents (3.9 per 1,000)
Drugs
1,068 incidents (2.5 per 1,000)
Burglary
979 incidents (2.3 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
753 incidents (1.8 per 1,000)
Other crime
738 incidents (1.8 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
287 incidents (0.7 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
187 incidents (0.4 per 1,000)
Robbery
122 incidents (0.3 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
76 incidents (0.2 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

↓ 10.7% change(over 12 months)
Cheshire East
UK Average

Compare Cheshire East with similar populations

Cheshire East has a 30.7% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Analysis of Crime Types in Cheshire East

In Cheshire East, an examination of crime types reveals that violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant category, accounting for 45.2% of all reported crimes, at a rate of 29.3 per 1,000 people. This considerable proportion highlights a key area of concern within the local crime landscape. Public order offences follow as the second most prevalent, making up 10.7% of the total with 6.9 crimes per 1,000 residents, often linked to social gatherings or disturbances. Anti-social behaviour ranks third, representing 8.9% of incidents at a rate of 5.8 per 1,000, which can impact community well-being. When considering property-related crime, a crucial category for residents and homeowners, which includes burglary (2.3 per 1,000), theft from person (0.2 per 1,000), criminal damage and arson (4.3 per 1,000), bicycle theft (0.4 per 1,000), vehicle crime (1.8 per 1,000), shoplifting (4.5 per 1,000), and other theft (3.9 per 1,000), Cheshire East records an overall rate of 17.8 per 1,000 people per year. This comprehensive property crime rate is considerably lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This indicates that residents and homeowners in Cheshire East generally face a lower risk of property-related offences compared to many other areas in the UK, suggesting a relatively secure environment for homes and possessions.

Crime Trend Analysis for Cheshire East

Cheshire East has experienced a stable crime trend over the past year, with a slight decrease of 3.1% in overall crime year-over-year. This indicates that the total number of crimes reported in the most recent 12-month period is marginally lower than in the preceding year, suggesting a consistent and controlled environment. Looking at the monthly trend data, the crime rate per 1,000 residents has shown some fluctuations, typical of any area. For instance, rates were around 5.6-5.3 in October and November 2024, dipping to a low of 4.4 in February 2025, which might be attributed to seasonal factors or specific policing initiatives. Subsequently, rates rose to 6.0 in June and August 2025, before settling at 5.0 in September 2025. These variations, while present, do not indicate a significant long-term shift, as the overall picture remains one of stability rather than dramatic escalation or reduction. For residents, a stable trend, particularly with a slight decrease, is generally reassuring, suggesting that the local safety landscape is not deteriorating and efforts to maintain order are proving effective.

Comparing Cheshire East with Neighbouring Areas

To provide a broader regional context, it is helpful to compare Cheshire East with its neighbouring local authority districts. When looking at areas like Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire Moorlands, Stockport, Cheshire West and Chester, and Trafford, Cheshire East generally maintains a favourable position in terms of safety. While specific crime rates will vary across these diverse areas, Cheshire East's overall crime rate of 64.7 per 1,000 and safety score of 84/100 often stand out. For example, larger urban centres like Stoke-on-Trent and parts of Stockport and Trafford might typically experience higher crime volumes due to population density and urban characteristics. Staffordshire Moorlands, being more rural, might share some similarities in crime profile but on a smaller scale. These comparisons help residents and those considering a move to Cheshire East understand its relative safety within the broader North West and Midlands regions.

Proactive Home Security in Cheshire East

Given Cheshire East's property crime rate of 17.8 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the national average, residents still benefit from robust home security measures. Traditional security approaches, such as standard CCTV cameras, often only provide footage after a burglary has occurred, acting as a reactive recording system rather than a preventative one. For those seeking genuine peace of mind, a proactive approach to security is paramount. Systems like scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, are designed to prevent crime before it happens. By detecting threats at the property boundary using multi-camera intelligence, scOS intervenes in real-time. This means that instead of merely recording a burglary, scOS can activate lights, engage speakers, and destroy the element of surprise, often causing potential intruders to move on within their critical 60-second decision window. While DIY systems have their place, professional-grade equipment that learns your routines and only alerts on real threats offers a significantly higher level of deterrence and protection against property-related offences.

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About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for Cheshire East

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.uk — Recorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National Statistics — Demographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home Office — National offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI Requests — Supplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.
Police.ukONSHome OfficeFOI

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

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