Chester Crime Rate

Chester is a historic city with an overall crime rate of 101.1 per 1,000 people, which is slightly higher than the UK average of 91.6. The city maintains a safety score of 75/100, indicating a generally secure environment despite its busy urban nature. The recent crime trend is stable, with a negligible 0.5% decrease year-over-year, suggesting that crime levels are remaining consistent. Property crime is a notable factor, standing at 27.9 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the UK national average of 32.2. The following report provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, monthly trends, and time-based patterns to help residents and visitors understand Chester's local safety context and take appropriate measures to protect their property.

In Chester, the crime profile is led by Violence and sexual offences (44.1%), Public order (11.9%), and Shoplifting (9.9%). As a major historic city and tourist destination, these categories often reflect the challenges of managing a busy urban centre with significant nightlife and retail activity. Property crime in Chester is 27.9 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the UK average of 32.2. The breakdown includes 936 shoplifting incidents, 578 'Other theft' reports, 212 burglaries, and 115 vehicle crimes. For residents, the data suggests that while property crime is less frequent than in many other UK cities, the volume of shoplifting and general theft indicates that opportunistic crime is a factor in the city centre. Homeowners should remain mindful of burglary, which, although only 2.2% of total crime, still occurs at a rate of 2.3 per 1,000 residents.

Chester's crime rate has remained remarkably stable, with a negligible 0.5% decrease over the last year. Analysis of the monthly trend data for 2025 shows that the rate peaked in July at 9.8 per 1,000 residents, with other high points in June (9.4) and August (9.2). The lowest rate was recorded in January at 6.9. Throughout the rest of the year, the rate hovered consistently between 7.8 and 8.7. This stability suggests that Chester is not experiencing significant spikes or declines in criminal activity, and the local security environment remains predictable. Residents can take comfort in this consistent trend, though standard vigilance in a busy urban centre is always advised.

How To Keep Safe in Chester

The most common crime in Chester is Violence and sexual offences, accounting for 44.1% of all reports. To enhance your safety and protect your property in this historic city, consider the following advice:

1. Be Mindful of Night-time Burglary: Burglary risk peaks at 21% between midnight and 6am. Ensure all doors and windows are securely locked and consider using a proactive security system that monitors your property boundary.
2. Vehicle Security: While vehicle crime is low, 16% of night-time incidents involve cars. Always lock your vehicle and park in well-lit areas or secure car parks whenever possible.
3. Daytime Theft Awareness: Theft accounts for 55% of all morning and afternoon crime. Keep your belongings secure and be vigilant in busy shopping areas like the Rows and the city centre.
4. Plan Night-time Travel: When enjoying Chester's nightlife, stick to well-lit main streets and use licensed taxis. Avoid walking alone in isolated areas or along the city walls late at night.
5. Secure Your Business: For local business owners, shoplifting is a significant issue (9.9% of crime). Implementing high-quality retail security and staff awareness can help mitigate these losses.

Chester displays distinct time-based crime patterns. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the dominant crime type, accounting for 55% of reports in both periods. This is highly reflective of the city's busy retail environment. As evening falls, 'Other' crimes, including public order and anti-social behaviour, become the primary concern, making up 55% of incidents. At night (12am - 6am), the focus shifts significantly towards property crime, with burglary accounting for 21% of reports and vehicle crime rising to 16%. These patterns indicate that while the city is active and retail-focused during the day, the primary risks to residential property and vehicles occur during the overnight hours. Residents should focus their security efforts on overnight protection.

Chester serves as the primary urban hub for the region, and its crime rate of 101.1 per 1,000 residents reflects this. Compared to its immediate neighbours, Chester is significantly more active than Guilden Sutton, which has a very low rate of 15.0. Other nearby settlements such as Moston, Littleton, and Mollington all reported zero crimes per 1,000 people in this data period. This stark contrast highlights Chester's role as a major centre for retail, tourism, and nightlife, which naturally attracts higher levels of reported incidents than the surrounding rural and residential villages. For those seeking a quieter environment, the outskirts offer exceptional safety, while the city centre remains a typical urban environment.

In a city like Chester, where property crime is 27.9 per 1,000 and burglary risk peaks at 21% during the night, traditional security measures are often insufficient. Standard CCTV systems and DIY doorbells are reactive; they record a crime as it happens but do little to stop it. For homeowners who want to prevent crime rather than just document it, proactive protection is the superior choice. scOS is an AI-powered operating system that monitors your property's boundary 24/7. It uses multi-camera intelligence to identify potential threats before they reach your home. For example, if someone is scouting your property at 3 am, scOS can autonomously activate lights and speakers to deter them instantly. This immediate intervention is a powerful deterrent, as most burglars will move on to an easier target if they realize they have been detected. For Chester residents, scOS provides a professional-grade solution that stops crime at the property line, offering true peace of mind.