Chard Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Chard

Chard experiences an overall crime rate of 113.3 per 1,000 residents annually. This figure is higher than the UK national average of 93.4 crimes per 1,000 people. With a safety score of 71 out of 100, Chard is below the national average safety score of 78. Over the past year, the crime rate in Chard has remained stable, showing a marginal decrease of 1.3%. This section provides a detailed overview of the crime statistics, offering context and insights into the local safety landscape.

Crime Type Analysis in Chard

The crime landscape in Chard is predominantly shaped by violence and sexual offences, which account for 763 incidents, representing 47.1% of all crimes at a rate of 53.4 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue with 205 reported crimes (12.7%), followed by public order offences, totalling 162 incidents (10.0%). These top three categories highlight key areas of concern for the community.

In terms of property-related crime, which includes burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, Chard records a rate of 29.8 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the national average of 33.2 per 1,000. Specifically, there were 38 burglaries (2.7 per 1,000), 34 vehicle crimes (2.4 per 1,000), and 85 other thefts (6.0 per 1,000). Other property crimes include shoplifting (138 incidents), criminal damage and arson (111 incidents), robbery (14 incidents), bicycle theft (3 incidents), and theft from the person (3 incidents). For residents and homeowners, understanding these figures is crucial for taking appropriate preventative measures to safeguard properties and belongings.

Crime Trends in Chard

The crime trends in Chard indicate a stable period over the last year, with a marginal year-over-year decrease of 1.3%. Analysing the monthly data reveals fluctuations throughout the period. Crime rates per 1,000 residents started at 10.4 in October 2024, showing a dip to 7.7 in November, before rising to 9.4 in December and 9.5 in January 2025. The rates then saw some fluctuation, peaking at 11.1 in June and August 2025, before settling at 10.7 in September 2025. This pattern suggests that while the overall trend is stable, there are seasonal variations, with higher activity noted during the summer months. For residents, this stable trend with minor fluctuations suggests that the overall safety profile of Chard has not significantly changed in the past year.

Understanding Crime Time Patterns in Chard

Crime in Chard exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day. Morning hours, between 6am and 12pm, show a notable prevalence of theft, accounting for 47% of crimes, alongside "other" crime at 35% and burglary at 9%. As the day progresses into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft remains high at 50%, with "other" crime at 31% and burglary increasing to 15%. The evening period, from 6pm to 12am, sees a significant presence of "other" crime at 57%, while theft drops to 19%. During the night (12am-6am), "other" crime remains high at 44%, with vehicle crime at 26% and burglary at 19%, indicating that properties are more vulnerable when residents are typically asleep. These patterns highlight the importance of being vigilant and adapting security measures according to the time of day.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

To provide a comprehensive regional context, it is helpful to compare Chard with its neighbouring areas. Chard's overall crime rate of 113.3 per 1,000 residents is higher than the UK average. In comparison, areas such as Wadeford, Combe St Nicholas, Tatworth, and Chardstock offer different local crime profiles. While specific data for these areas would provide a direct comparison, understanding that Chard sits above the national average suggests a relatively higher safety concern within the broader region. This comparison helps residents and those considering moving to the area to gauge its relative safety within the local vicinity.

Proactive Protection for Your Home

Considering Chard's property crime rate of 29.8 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the national average, proactive home security is a sensible consideration. Traditional security cameras often only record incidents after they've occurred, providing footage of a burglary rather than preventing it. However, if you are seeking real protection, an AI-powered system like scOS offers a different approach.

scOS is designed for proactive crime prevention, detecting threats at your property boundary before a break-in can even happen. Unlike DIY systems that merely notify you after the fact, scOS intervenes in real-time through multi-camera intelligence, watching all cameras simultaneously. Features such as DVLA vehicle verification can instantly identify suspicious vehicles with fake plates, while pattern learning distinguishes between family, deliveries, and genuine threats, reducing false alarms. With autonomous response capabilities that activate lights and engage speakers, scOS destroys the element of surprise, making burglars decide within 60 seconds to move on, rather than becoming another crime statistic. This professional-grade equipment signals serious protection, going beyond reactive recording to actively deter potential intruders.