Chesterfield Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 106,045, Chesterfield recorded 1,123 crimes in January 2026, translating to 10.6 crimes per 1,000 residents. This rate is 55.9% higher than the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, highlighting a significant disparity. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (41% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (15%) and shoplifting (11%). These figures contrast sharply with national trends, where violence and sexual offences typically account for around 2.5 per 1,000 (UK average). Seasonal factors may partly explain the elevated violence rate, as January follows the post-holiday period, which can disrupt social patterns and increase tensions in urban areas. Reduced retail footfall during shorter winter days may also contribute to lower shoplifting rates compared to festive months, though Chesterfield’s shoplifting numbers remain high at 1.2 per 1,000 (111% above the UK average). The high prevalence of anti-social behaviour (1.6 per 1,000) suggests persistent community challenges, linked to Chesterfield’s mix of urban and semi-rural environments, where isolated incidents can escalate without immediate intervention. Drug-related crimes (0.4 per 1,000) are 43% above the UK average, indicating a potential need for targeted policing in areas with known drug activity. These patterns underscore the combination of local demographics and seasonal shifts in crime dynamics.

January 2026 saw a 95.4% surge in shoplifting, rising from 65 to 127 incidents, a jump that outpaces national trends. This increase may reflect heightened retail security measures during the post-holiday period, inadvertently driving offenders to target smaller businesses. Concurrently, drug-related crimes rose by 54.2% (24 to 37), suggesting possible shifts in drug distribution networks or increased visibility of such activities. In contrast, bicycle theft plummeted by 50% (from 2 to 1), a drop that could align with seasonal patterns, as colder weather and shorter daylight hours reduce outdoor cycling. Public order offences also fell by 20.5% (88 to 70), linked to the post-holiday lull in social gatherings. Chesterfield’s violence and sexual offences rate (4.3 per 1,000) is 72% above the UK average, a stark contrast to national figures, and may be influenced by local factors such as higher population density in certain areas or limited community support systems. Meanwhile, theft from the person remains lower than the UK average (17% below), due to effective policing in high-traffic zones. These shifts highlight the need for tailored strategies to address rising shoplifting and drug-related crimes while leveraging the reduction in other categories.

Chesterfield’s crime rate in January 2026 (10.6 per 1,000) marks a 10.1% increase from the previous month’s rate of 9.6, reflecting a growing trend in local crime dynamics. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 36 crimes per day, a figure that underscores the frequency of incidents within a relatively small population. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 94 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly higher than the UK average when scaled to Chesterfield’s population. This statistic translates to a resident having a 1-in-94 chance of being directly affected by a crime during January, a figure that may concern local families and businesses. When compared to the UK average, Chesterfield’s elevated crime rate is particularly pronounced in violent crimes, which are 72% above the national average. This discrepancy may be attributed to Chesterfield’s unique demographic profile, which includes a mix of urban and semi-rural communities where social cohesion challenges can persist. The population context further highlights the urgency of addressing these disparities, as the 106,045 residents must navigate a crime environment that is more active than the national average. These comparisons reinforce the need for localized interventions to bridge the gap between Chesterfield’s crime trends and UK-wide benchmarks.