Chesterfield Crime Rate

Chesterfield Crime Overview

Chesterfield presents a complex safety landscape, with an overall crime rate of 117.8 per 1,000 people. While this figure is higher than the UK average of 93.1, the area maintains a safety score of 72/100, which is comparable to many other large UK towns. Importantly, the recent trend in Chesterfield is encouraging, with a 5.8% year-over-year decrease in total crime. This suggests that while the volume of reported incidents remains significant, the situation is improving. The district, which includes the town of Chesterfield and surrounding areas like Brimington and Staveley, faces specific challenges with violence and anti-social behaviour, which are common in busy commercial centres. The following analysis provides a deeper look into these statistics to help residents and business owners understand the local safety context and take appropriate precautions.

About Mid Suffolk

Mid Suffolk is a primarily rural local authority district in the heart of Suffolk, East Anglia. The area is characterised by its picturesque countryside, historic market towns like Stowmarket and Eye, and numerous charming villages. It is an area of high agricultural importance, but also has a growing industrial base, particularly along the A14 corridor. Its central location in the county provides good access to regional hubs like Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, and Norwich, making it a popular choice for families and retirees looking for a peaceful lifestyle.

The area's crime statistics are influenced by its low population density and its strong, close-knit communities. The town of Stowmarket, as the main urban centre, accounts for a higher proportion of local reports, particularly for anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. Economically, Mid Suffolk is a prosperous district with high employment and a high quality of life, which is reflected in its exceptional safety score. The local economy is driven by agriculture, food production, and a growing logistics and manufacturing sector. The overall safety and tranquility of the area are key parts of its appeal, with crime levels remaining among the lowest in the country despite recent minor increases.

Crime Breakdown in Chesterfield

In Chesterfield, violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes, accounting for 41.0% of all incidents with 5,117 cases. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common at 16.4%, followed by public order offences at 9.3%. For those focused on property protection, the overall property crime rate—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and theft—is 33.0 per 1,000 residents. This is almost identical to the UK average property crime rate of 32.9. Shoplifting is also a significant factor, with 934 incidents reported annually (7.5% of total crime). While burglary represents 2.9% of total crime (363 incidents), the high volume of criminal damage (915 incidents) and other theft (705 incidents) suggests that residents and business owners face a persistent risk of opportunistic crime. The data indicates that robust security for both homes and businesses is a key priority for maintaining safety in the district.

Crime Trends in Chesterfield

The crime trend in Chesterfield is currently decreasing, with a 5.8% reduction in total offences over the last year. This is a positive trajectory for the community. An analysis of the monthly trend data shows that crime rates peaked in the spring of 2025, reaching 12.2 per 1,000 in March. This was followed by a relatively stable period through the summer.

By September 2025, the rate had dropped to 9.1 per 1,000, before rising slightly to 10.1 in October. While there are seasonal fluctuations—where crime often rises slightly in the warmer months—the overall year-on-year decrease suggests that long-term safety is improving. For residents, this trend indicates that while Chesterfield remains a busy urban area, the overall risk is being effectively managed and reduced through local safety strategies and proactive policing.

Regional Safety Context

In the context of North Derbyshire, Chesterfield serves as the major urban and commercial centre. Its crime rate of 117.8 per 1,000 is notably higher than neighbouring local authorities like North East Derbyshire (66.2), and others like Bolsover, Rotherham, Mansfield, Sheffield, and Ashfield, which all report 0.0 per 1,000 in this specific dataset. This discrepancy is largely due to Chesterfield's role as a regional shopping and nightlife destination, which naturally centralises crime reports. While the volume of reported incidents is higher than in its more rural neighbours, Chesterfield remains a focal point for the region. For residents, this means that while the town has higher statistical crime, it also provides the infrastructure and services that surrounding areas lack, with a safety score that remains resilient despite the higher volume of reports.

Proactive Security for Chesterfield

Chesterfield faces a property crime rate of 33.0 per 1,000, which is almost exactly in line with the national average. With significant levels of criminal damage and shoplifting, both homeowners and business operators are at a persistent risk of opportunistic crime. Traditional security solutions, such as standard CCTV or video doorbells, often fail to prevent these incidents; they merely provide footage for a police report after the damage has already been done.

scOS offers a fundamentally different approach by providing proactive, AI-driven protection. Instead of waiting for a window to be broken or a door to be forced, scOS uses multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries. It can distinguish between normal activity and potential threats, such as someone loitering or attempting to gain access to your vehicle. When a threat is identified, the system can autonomously respond with lights and audio warnings, destroying the element of surprise that burglars rely on. For Chesterfield residents, this means stopping a crime before it happens. Whether it's protecting a home from burglary or a vehicle from theft, scOS provides a level of professional-grade security that traditional DIY systems cannot match, turning your security from a passive recorder into an active guardian.

How To Keep Safe in Chesterfield

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Chesterfield, representing 41.0% of all reports. As with most large towns, personal safety in public spaces is a key focus for residents.

1. Town Centre Awareness: When in Chesterfield town centre, particularly during the evening, stay in well-lit areas and be mindful of your surroundings. Stick to busy routes and avoid isolated shortcuts.
2. Secure Your Belongings: With theft and shoplifting being notable factors, always keep personal items like phones and wallets secure and out of sight when in crowded places.
3. Boundary Protection: To deter criminal damage and arson, ensure your property's exterior is well-lit at night and that any flammable materials are stored securely. Sturdy fencing and locked gates can act as a significant deterrent.
4. Report Anti-Social Behaviour: ASB accounts for over 16% of local crime. Reporting persistent issues to the local authorities helps them target patrols and resources more effectively to the affected neighbourhoods.
5. Vehicle Vigilance: Always ensure your vehicle is locked and remove all valuables. Using a steering wheel lock can provide an extra layer of visible deterrence against opportunistic thieves.