Chiswell Green Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Chiswell Green, a built-up area within St Albans, recorded a crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, placing it 32.4% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This continued trend of lower-than-average crime reflects the area's character as a relatively quiet suburban community with limited nightlife and commercial activity compared to larger urban centres. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (35.7% of total), followed by shoplifting (28.6%) and anti-social behaviour (10.7%). Seasonal factors likely contributed to the crime profile: January, as a post-holiday month, typically sees reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which may temper opportunities for shoplifting and other outdoor crimes. However, the area's low crime rate compared to the UK average aligns with its status as a largely residential, low-density built-up area with fewer public spaces prone to anti-social activity. Violent crimes, while still a concern, remained significantly below the UK average (32% below), consistent with the area's demographics and the absence of high-risk environments like major transport hubs or densely populated town centres. The data suggests that Chiswell Green's crime picture is shaped by its location within a historic town with limited commercial vibrancy, where property crimes are relatively rare but community-based issues like anti-social behaviour occasionally emerge.

January 2026 saw a 33.3% increase in Chiswell Green's overall crime rate compared to December, driven by sharp rises in anti-social behaviour (+200%), public order offences (+100%), and burglary (+100%). These increases contrast with declines in vehicle crime (-50%) and criminal damage (-50%), suggesting shifting patterns in local criminal activity. The spike in anti-social behaviour, which tripled from one to three incidents, may reflect seasonal factors such as colder weather driving more indoor gatherings or heightened tensions during the post-holiday period. Meanwhile, shoplifting remained a persistent issue, occurring at 1.3 per 1,000 residents—128% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This disparity could be linked to the area's proximity to St Albans' retail corridors, where shoplifting opportunities are more concentrated. Violent crimes, while accounting for 35.7% of total offences, remained 32% below the UK average, a figure that may be attributable to the area's low population density and limited exposure to high-risk environments. Residents might find the shoplifting statistic particularly relevant, as it highlights a specific vulnerability in the local retail sector that could inform targeted policing or community initiatives.

In January 2026, Chiswell Green's crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents marked a 33.3% increase compared to December's rate of 3.5 per 1,000, though it remained well below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that may feel more tangible for residents than aggregate statistics. When scaled to the area's population of 6,029, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 215 residents over the course of the month—a rate that, while not negligible, is lower than the UK's average monthly exposure. This comparative safety could be attributed to Chiswell Green's status as a suburban extension of St Albans, where community cohesion and limited commercial activity act as natural deterrents to crime. The increase from December, however, suggests that local factors—such as the timing of school holidays or transient population movements—may have temporarily disrupted the area's usual crime patterns. For context, the UK's overall crime rate of 6.8 per 1,000 underscores Chiswell Green's relative security. gap between local and national rates highlights the importance of maintaining existing community-focused policing strategies.