Chorley Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Chorley

Chorley experiences an overall crime rate of 81.7 crimes per 1,000 residents annually. This figure positions Chorley as a safer area compared to the national average, which stands at 93.4 crimes per 1,000 people. The area's safety is further reflected in its safety score of 82 out of 100, notably higher than the UK average of 78. In terms of recent trends, Chorley's crime rate has remained stable, showing a decrease of 5.0% year-over-year. This introduction provides a foundational understanding of crime in Chorley, setting the stage for a more detailed analysis of specific crime types and trends within the region.

About Chorley: Influences on Crime Statistics

Chorley, a prominent market town and local authority district, presents a diverse landscape that influences its crime statistics. The area blends urban centres with surrounding suburban and rural communities, creating varied environments. The town centre itself is a hub of commercial activity, featuring a bustling market and retail establishments, which can inherently lead to higher instances of theft and anti-social behaviour due to increased foot traffic and opportunities for opportunistic crime. Major transport links, including proximity to the M6 and M61 motorways and a well-connected railway station, contribute to a transient population, which can sometimes correlate with certain crime types like vehicle crime or other theft.

The population of over 120,000 residents, distributed across this varied geography, means that while urban areas might experience higher rates of public order offences and violence, the more rural fringes could see different patterns, such as isolated burglaries. Economic factors, while not explicitly detailed, generally play a role; areas with higher employment and community engagement often exhibit lower crime rates. Understanding this interplay of urban characteristics, commercial activities, and population dynamics provides a comprehensive view of what shapes Chorley's overall crime rate and safety score, helping to explain the observed patterns in the data.

Crime Type Analysis in Chorley

An examination of crime types in Chorley reveals that Violence and sexual offences, Anti-social behaviour, and Criminal damage and arson are the three most prevalent categories. Violence and sexual offences account for 3,526 crimes, representing 35.7% of all reported incidents and a rate of 29.2 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour follows closely with 3,114 crimes, making up 31.6% of the total and a rate of 25.8 per 1,000. Criminal damage and arson incidents number 641, comprising 6.5% of the total at a rate of 5.3 per 1,000.

Focusing on property-related crime, which encompasses burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, Chorley records a rate of 19.2 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. Specific property crime figures include 258 burglaries (2.6%), 512 other thefts (5.2%), 443 shoplifting incidents (4.5%), 364 vehicle crimes (3.7%), 51 robberies (0.5%), 36 bicycle thefts (0.4%), and 23 thefts from the person (0.2%). While property crime is less common here than nationally, residents and homeowners should remain vigilant, particularly regarding theft and vehicle-related offences, to protect their assets.

Crime Trends in Chorley

Chorley's crime landscape has shown a stable trend over the past year, with a 5.0% decrease in the overall crime rate year-over-year. This indicates a consistent effort in maintaining public safety and reducing criminal activity. Examining the monthly crime rate per 1,000 residents reveals some fluctuations within this stable period. Rates were relatively lower in February 2025 at 5.7 per 1,000, suggesting a quieter period for crime. Conversely, the summer months of May, June, and July 2025 saw slightly elevated rates, peaking at 7.9 per 1,000 in May, then 7.4 in June, and 7.7 in July. This seasonal pattern, where crime can see minor increases during warmer months, is not uncommon across the UK.

For residents, this trend suggests that while the overall situation is improving or remaining steady, awareness of potential seasonal variations could be beneficial. The consistent decline in the year-over-year figure provides reassurance regarding the long-term safety outlook for Chorley, indicating that significant crime increases are not currently a concern.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

To provide regional context, Chorley's crime statistics can be compared with several nearby areas. These include South Ribble, Blackburn with Darwen, Bolton, West Lancashire, Hyndburn, and Wigan. Chorley's overall crime rate of 81.7 per 1,000 residents and a safety score of 82/100 offer a benchmark within the region. While specific crime rates for each neighbouring area are not detailed here, understanding Chorley's position relative to the UK average (lower crime rate, higher safety score) suggests it generally performs well in terms of safety. This comparison helps residents and those considering moving to the area to gauge the local safety landscape within the broader regional context, highlighting Chorley as a relatively secure location.

Protecting Your Property in Chorley

Given Chorley's property crime rate of 19.2 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the national average, it remains crucial for homeowners to consider robust security measures. While traditional CCTV systems merely record incidents after they occur, effective protection focuses on preventing crime before it happens. This proactive approach is where advanced security solutions, such as an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS, excel.

Instead of simply documenting a burglary, scOS is designed to detect threats at your property boundary. Utilising multi-camera intelligence, it watches all cameras simultaneously, ensuring no blind spots, and can even catch fake vehicle plates instantly through DVLA verification. Its ability to learn patterns of your family and routine means it only alerts on genuine threats, avoiding unnecessary alarms. When a real threat is detected, scOS can trigger an autonomous response, activating lights and engaging speakers, effectively destroying the element of surprise and making burglars move on within moments. This professional-grade deterrence signals serious protection, offering a significant advantage over reactive DIY systems that only notify you after the fact. For real peace of mind, consider security that prevents crime, rather than just records it.