Chester Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Chester

Chester records an overall crime rate of 99.6 per 1,000 residents per year, which is slightly above the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. This results in a safety score of 76 out of 100, placing it just below the national average of 78. The area has experienced a stable crime trend, with a minor decrease of 4.6% year-over-year. These figures offer a preliminary insight into the safety landscape of Chester, providing a foundation for a more detailed exploration of crime patterns and trends within the city.

Crime Type Analysis in Chester

In Chester, Violence and sexual offences represent the most significant crime category, accounting for 4,057 incidents or 43.6% of all crimes, at a rate of 43.5 per 1,000 residents. Public order offences are the second most common, with 1,118 crimes (12.0%), followed by Anti-social behaviour, which makes up 894 incidents (9.6%).

Property-related crime in Chester, encompassing burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and similar offences, stands at a rate of 27.3 per 1,000 people. This is lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000, suggesting a comparatively better situation for property owners. Specific figures contributing to this include 205 burglaries (2.2 per 1,000), 126 vehicle crimes (1.4 per 1,000), 857 shoplifting incidents (9.2 per 1,000), 601 other thefts (6.4 per 1,000), 575 criminal damage and arson (6.2 per 1,000), 86 bicycle thefts (0.9 per 1,000), 52 robberies (0.6 per 1,000), and 46 thefts from the person (0.5 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, understanding these specific crime types is crucial for implementing targeted security measures, even with a generally lower property crime rate compared to the national average.

Crime Trends in Chester

Chester has experienced a stable crime trend over the past year, with a slight decrease of 4.6% in total crimes year-over-year. Examining the monthly crime rate data per 1,000 residents reveals fluctuations throughout the period. Crime rates were lower in January 2025 (6.9 per 1,000) and October 2024/September 2025 (7.8 per 1,000), indicating periods of reduced criminal activity. Conversely, the area saw higher rates in July 2025 (9.8 per 1,000) and June 2025 (9.4 per 1,000), suggesting potential seasonal increases during the summer months. This overall stable trend, despite monthly variations, indicates that Chester's crime levels are not undergoing significant shifts, offering residents a consistent picture of local safety.

Time Patterns of Crime in Chester

Crime in Chester exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day and night. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), theft is particularly prominent, accounting for 55% of crimes, likely due to increased commercial activity. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees a similar trend, with theft remaining dominant at 56%, correlating with peak shopping and daytime public presence. As evening approaches (6pm-12am), the crime landscape shifts, with 'Other' crimes becoming the majority at 55%, alongside a decrease in theft to 25%. Night-time (12am-6am) brings a notable increase in burglary (20%) and vehicle crime (18%), often when properties are unattended, while 'Other' crimes still make up a significant 47%.

Comparison with Nearby Areas

When comparing Chester with its nearby areas, its crime rate of 99.6 per 1,000 provides regional context. Chester's rate is higher than that of Moston, Littleton (Cheshire West and Chester), Guilden Sutton, and Mollington (Cheshire West and Chester), all of which generally exhibit lower crime figures. This suggests that as a larger urban centre, Chester experiences a higher volume and rate of crime compared to its smaller, more suburban or rural neighbours. This comparison is valuable for residents to understand the relative safety of their immediate surroundings within the broader regional landscape.

Enhancing Home Security in Chester

With Chester's property crime rate at 27.3 per 1,000 people, which is below the UK average, residents can still benefit significantly from proactive home security measures. Relying solely on traditional security cameras, like Ring or Nest, primarily provides footage of a burglary after it has occurred, offering a reactive solution rather than true prevention.

For those seeking to genuinely prevent crime, an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS offers a superior alternative. This advanced system detects threats at your property boundary, stopping potential intruders before they even gain entry. scOS leverages multi-camera intelligence to monitor all cameras simultaneously, ensuring comprehensive coverage, and can even verify vehicles using DVLA data to identify suspicious plates instantly. By learning your family’s routines, it intelligently distinguishes between everyday activities and genuine threats, only alerting you when necessary. Its autonomous response features, such as activating lights and engaging speakers, create an element of surprise that often deters burglars within their crucial 60-second decision-making window. Choosing professional-grade equipment like scOS signifies a serious commitment to protecting your property, moving beyond mere recording to active crime prevention.