Macclesfield Crime Rate

Macclesfield is a safe and well-established market town with a crime rate of 81.5 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the UK average of 91.7. This results in a safety score of 79/100, matching the national average. Furthermore, crime is on a downward trend, with a 6.8% decrease in total offences year-over-year. The property crime rate is also notably low at 21.8 per 1,000, compared to the national average of 32.3. This data, covering December 2024 to November 2025, reflects a secure environment for residents and businesses. The following analysis provides a detailed breakdown of local crime types and temporal patterns to help the community stay informed about their safety.

Crime Breakdown in Macclesfield

Macclesfield maintains a crime rate that is lower than the national average, with an overall property crime rate of 21.8 per 1,000 residents. The most frequent category of crime is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 47.1% of all local reports. Public order offences are the second most common at 10.7%, followed by shoplifting at 8.4%.

Property-related crime in Macclesfield is a key consideration for residents and businesses. This category, which includes burglary, shoplifting, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft, occurs at a total rate of 21.8 per 1,000 people. Specifically, anti-social behaviour makes up 8.2% of total crime, while criminal damage and arson account for 6.2%. Burglary and vehicle crime represent 2.6% and 2.7% of reports respectively. For homeowners, these statistics suggest a generally safe environment, as the property crime rate is well below the national average of 32.3. The presence of shoplifting and other theft indicates that opportunistic crime is the primary property concern in this historic market town.

Crime Trends in Macclesfield

Macclesfield has seen a positive downward trend in crime, with a 6.8% decrease in total offences over the past year. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a relatively stable pattern of activity throughout the year. The year began with crime rates between 5.6 and 6.9 per 1,000 people, with a slight increase observed during the spring and summer months.

The peak occurred in August, with the crime rate reaching 8.4 per 1,000 people, following a consistent period of 7.2 to 7.5 from April to July. Following this, activity dipped again in the autumn, with September recording 6.6 and November 6.4. This stability suggests that crime levels are well-managed in the town. The overall year-over-year reduction reinforces Macclesfield's reputation as an increasingly safe urban environment, providing residents with confidence that local safety levels are improving.

How To Keep Safe in Macclesfield

The most common crime in Macclesfield is violence and sexual offences, but for the wider community, public order, shoplifting, and anti-social behaviour are the main concerns. To stay safe and secure your home, consider these actionable steps:

1. Night-time home security: Since burglary and vehicle crime peak between midnight and 6am, ensure all doors, windows, and gates are securely locked. Use high-quality anti-snap locks and consider internal security lights.
2. Secure your vehicle: With vehicle crime making up 32% of night-time incidents, always park in a garage or well-lit driveway. Use a steering lock and never leave any items visible inside the car.
3. Be aware in commercial areas: Shoplifting and theft are most common in the afternoon (50%). When shopping, keep your personal belongings secure and be mindful of your surroundings in busy areas.
4. Deter anti-social behaviour: Install motion-activated lighting and visible security cameras. This can deter unwanted activity around your property, especially in the evening when ASB and public order incidents are more likely to occur.

Crime Timing and Patterns in Macclesfield

The timing of criminal activity in Macclesfield reveals a strong concentration of theft during daylight hours. In the morning and afternoon, theft accounts for 47% and 50% of all recorded incidents respectively. This suggests that the majority of property-related crime is opportunistic and occurs when the town is most active and residents are away from their homes.

As the day moves into the evening and night, the pattern shifts significantly. Between midnight and 6am, vehicle crime and burglary become the dominant property threats, representing 32% and 20% of all recorded offences respectively. Additionally, 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, are most prominent in the evening and night. These patterns indicate that while the day requires vigilance against theft, the night-time hours demand high-level security for vehicles and home entry points.

Macclesfield serves as a major urban centre for the surrounding region, and its crime rate reflects this role. At 81.5 per 1,000 people, it is more active than the nearby residential areas of Bollington (35.8) and Prestbury (33.8). It is also significantly more active than the surrounding rural hamlets of Sutton Lane Ends and Langley, which reported zero crimes in the same period. For those considering the region, Macclesfield offers a wide range of amenities and a safe environment, though it has a higher crime profile than its more suburban and rural neighbours. Residents should maintain a proactive approach to home and personal security.

With a property crime rate of 21.8 per 1,000 and a generally safe environment, residents in Macclesfield often invest in home security. Burglary and vehicle crime are specific concerns, especially at night when they combined account for 52% of all incidents. Traditional security systems are often reactive; they record a crime as it happens but do little to stop it. By the time you check the footage, the intruder has likely already left.

scOS provides a proactive solution designed to prevent crime before it happens. Its AI-powered multi-camera intelligence monitors your property boundary 24/7, identifying threats as they approach. For Macclesfield residents, the system's ability to trigger autonomous responses—such as activating high-intensity lighting or audible warnings—can stop a thief before they reach your car or front door. Moving from reactive recording to proactive prevention ensures that your home is protected by an intelligent system that acts in real-time, maintaining the high standard of safety the town is known for.