Chiswell Green Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Chiswell Green, a built-up area within St Albans, reported a crime rate of 3.0 per 1,000 residents in February 2026—53.1% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This marked disparity underscores the area’s relative safety compared to national trends, though it is not without its own localized challenges. The most common crimes were shoplifting (27.8% of total incidents), followed by vehicle crime (16.7%) and violence and sexual offences (16.7%). These figures suggest a crime profile shaped by both the area’s retail environment and its geographic context within a larger town. The low overall rate may be influenced by Chiswell Green’s character as a relatively quiet, residential district with limited commercial density, a pattern consistent with other small built-up areas in the UK. However, the prominence of shoplifting raises questions about the effectiveness of local retail security measures. February’s winter conditions likely contributed to the overall decline in crime, with reduced outdoor activity and shorter evenings limiting opportunities for violent and public order offences. This seasonal effect appears to have been amplified by the pre-spring lull, during which many areas across the UK experience similar reductions in crime. Yet the sharp rise in vehicle crime—now 43% above the UK average—hints at a different dynamic, possibly tied to the area’s road networks or the increased use of vehicles for travel during colder weather. The data also reveals a stark contrast in the area’s performance against the UK average for specific crime types: while violence and sexual offences are 78% below the national figure, shoplifting remains 38% above, indicating that local factors may be driving certain categories of crime independently of broader trends. This mixed picture suggests that while Chiswell Green benefits from a generally low crime environment, targeted interventions may be needed to address specific vulnerabilities, particularly in retail and vehicle-related incidents.

February 2026 saw a 200% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 1 to 3 incidents. This surge may be linked to the area’s proximity to major roads and the increased use of vehicles during winter, when walking is less common. Burglary also doubled, with two incidents reported, though this remains below the UK average for the category. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell by 70%, from 10 to 3, likely influenced by reduced outdoor activity and the pre-spring lull. Shoplifting, the most common crime, decreased by 37.5% to five incidents, possibly due to lower foot traffic in retail areas during February. Shoplifting in Chiswell Green is 38% above the UK average, suggesting a localised pattern that may reflect the area’s small-scale retail presence. Public order offences also dropped by 50%, aligning with the seasonal decline in social gatherings and events.

Chiswell Green’s crime rate in February 2026 stood at 3.0 per 1,000 residents, a 35.6% drop from 4.6 per 1,000 in January. This decline aligns with the seasonal lull typical of winter months, when outdoor activity and retail footfall diminish. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 335 residents, reflecting a relatively low level of exposure compared to larger urban areas. Daily crime counts averaged just 0.64 incidents per day, a figure that underscores the area’s generally low-risk profile. When scaled to the population of 6,029, this means that the likelihood of a resident encountering crime is significantly lower than the UK average, which sees 6.4 crimes per 1,000 people. The reduction in violence and sexual offences—down 70% from January—suggests a possible seasonal effect, with colder weather and shorter evenings potentially limiting opportunities for such crimes. However, the sharp rise in vehicle crime and burglary highlights localized vulnerabilities that warrant closer attention.