Chertsey Crime Rate

Chertsey is a historic and generally safe town in Surrey with an overall crime rate of 87.9 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the UK national average of 93.1. The town boasts a strong safety score of 80/100, placing it well above the UK average of 78 and indicating a secure environment for its 11,508 inhabitants. Furthermore, the crime trend in Chertsey is positive, with an 8.8% decrease in total offences year-over-year. This downward trajectory suggests that local safety initiatives are proving effective. However, with a property crime rate of 31.6 per 1,000, residents should still remain vigilant. The following report provides a detailed breakdown of local crime types and temporal patterns.

Crime in Chertsey

Chertsey's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 34.9% of all recorded incidents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 13.1%, followed by public order offences at 9.2%. Shoplifting also represents a notable 8.6% of local crime, likely due to the town's active high street and retail areas.

Property crime in Chertsey, which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft, occurs at a combined rate of 31.6 per 1,000 residents. This is slightly lower than the UK average of 32.9. Burglary accounts for 3.2% of total crime (32 incidents), while vehicle crime makes up 5.9%. Other theft also represents 7.3% of local offences. For homeowners and residents, the data indicates that while the overall risk is lower than the national average, property-related offences remain a consistent factor. The combined impact of theft and vehicle crime suggests that proactive security measures and visible deterrents are important for maintaining a secure environment.

Crime Trends in Chertsey

Chertsey has seen an 8.8% decrease in crime over the last 12 months, which is a very positive trend for the area. The monthly data shows that the crime rate fluctuated throughout 2025, starting at 7.2 in November 2024 and reaching its lowest point of 5.2 in February 2025.

A significant peak occurred in April 2025, where the rate jumped to 9.7 per 1,000 residents. Following this peak, the rate gradually declined during the summer and autumn, settling at 8.2 by October. This pattern suggests that while there was a notable surge in the spring, the overall trend is one of improvement. For residents, this means that while the town is generally getting safer, they should remain particularly vigilant during the spring months when criminal activity has historically shown a sharp increase.

How To Keep Safe in Chertsey

The most common crime in Chertsey is violence and sexual offences. While the town is generally safe and crime is decreasing, taking practical steps can further enhance your personal and property safety.

• Stick to Well-Lit Routes: When walking at night, especially near the town centre or transport hubs, stay on main roads and avoid unlit shortcuts.
• Secure Your Vehicle: With vehicle crime making up 45% of night-time offences, always use a steering lock and ensure your car is parked in a well-lit area or garage.
• Deter Shoplifting: For local business owners, maintaining visible security and a clear shop layout can help reduce the 8.6% of crime attributed to shoplifting.
• Lock All Entry Points: Ensure that both front and back doors, as well as ground-floor windows, are locked even when you are at home.
• Be Aware in Public Spaces: Remain aware of your surroundings in busy areas where anti-social behaviour or public order offences are more likely to occur.

Crime in Chertsey follows clear temporal trends. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft-related offences are the most frequent, making up 46% and 50% of incidents respectively. This is likely linked to activity in commercial and retail areas. As the day moves into the evening (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, become the dominant issue at 48%. The night-time period (12am - 6am) sees a significant shift; while overall crime volume is lower, vehicle crime peaks, accounting for a substantial 45% of all offences during these hours. Burglary also reaches its highest proportional frequency at night (15%), highlighting that residential properties and vehicles are at their highest risk when the town is quietest.

In the local regional context, Chertsey (87.9 crimes per 1,000) is a relatively safe urban centre. It has a lower crime rate than nearby Addlestone (100.8) and is significantly safer than the neighbouring settlements of Thorpe (303.6) and Lyne (398.9), both of which experience exceptionally high rates of recorded crime. Compared to Penton Hook, which reported 0.0 crimes in this dataset, Chertsey is more active, but this is expected for a town of its size and importance. For those looking for a secure residential area in the Runnymede district, Chertsey offers an excellent balance of safety, history, and local amenities.

With a property crime rate of 31.6 per 1,000 residents, Chertsey is statistically safer than the UK average, but the 45% of night-time crime being vehicle-related highlights a specific vulnerability. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are reactive; they notify you after a sensor has been triggered, often providing footage of a crime that has already occurred.

A proactive AI-powered system like scOS offers a more robust solution. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries in real-time, identifying potential threats before they reach your home or vehicle. If an unauthorised person is detected, scOS can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting and audio warnings. This is particularly effective in Chertsey, where burglary and vehicle crime are the primary concerns during the late-night hours. By deterring criminals before they can target your property, scOS provides the proactive protection that reactive systems cannot, ensuring that your home remains secure rather than just recorded.