Great Chesterford Crime Rate

Great Chesterford is an exceptionally safe and peaceful village located in the Uttlesford district, offering a high quality of life for its residents. The area features an overall crime rate of 45.2 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1. This is reflected in an impressive safety score of 91/100, far exceeding the national benchmark of 78. Furthermore, the crime trend in Great Chesterford is moving in a positive direction, with a 12.5% decrease in reported incidents over the last year. This combination of low crime and a declining trend makes the village one of the more secure settlements in the region. The following analysis provides a detailed look at the local crime statistics and offers practical advice for maintaining this high level of safety.

Great Chesterford Crime Breakdown

The crime landscape in Great Chesterford is primarily defined by anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 33.0% of all reports, followed by violence and sexual offences at 25.3% and 'other theft' at 11.0%. These figures indicate that low-level disturbances and personal safety are the most frequent concerns for the local community.

Property crime in Great Chesterford occurs at a rate of 13.9 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9. This aggregate includes burglary (7.7%), vehicle crime (5.5%), and various forms of theft. For homeowners, the burglary rate of 3.5 per 1,000 is a key statistic, representing a relatively low but present risk. Criminal damage and arson also contribute 4.4% to the total. For residents, this means that while the overall risk of serious property crime is low compared to national figures, the combined impact of theft, burglary, and vehicle crime still necessitates a proactive approach to home and vehicle security to deter opportunistic offenders.

Great Chesterford has seen a positive trend in its crime statistics, with a 12.5% reduction in total reports year-over-year. The monthly trend data for 2024-2025 shows a relatively stable environment with some minor fluctuations. The crime rate per 1,000 residents was highest in December 2024 and January 2025, both recording 6.0. Following this, the rate dropped significantly to 2.0 in February and March. There was a mid-year peak in May at 5.5, before the rate generally trended downwards again towards the end of 2025, ending at 4.0 in October. These figures suggest that while the winter months and late spring may see slightly higher activity, the overall trend is one of improvement, reinforcing Great Chesterford's status as a safe community.

How To Keep Safe in Great Chesterford

The most common report in Great Chesterford is anti-social behaviour, which accounts for a third of all incidents. To help maintain the peace and ensure your personal safety, consider the following advice:

1. If you encounter groups engaging in anti-social behaviour, avoid direct confrontation and report the activity to the local council or police non-emergency line.
2. Ensure your property is well-lit at night, particularly around entry points and driveways, to deter both anti-social behaviour and opportunistic theft.
3. Join or support a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme to stay informed about local issues and work with your neighbours to keep the community safe.
4. When walking alone at night, stick to well-lit paths and be aware of your surroundings; having a mobile phone easily accessible is always a good precaution.
5. Report any incidents of criminal damage or graffiti promptly, as quick removal and reporting can discourage further anti-social activity in the area.

Crime in Great Chesterford displays distinct temporal variations, with different risks emerging throughout the day and night. Morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm) hours are dominated by theft, accounting for 57% and 53% of crimes respectively. During these daylight hours, burglary risk is also present, peaking at 26% in the afternoon. As the day moves into the evening (6pm-12am), burglary risk increases to 31%, while 'other' crime types become more prevalent. Most significantly, the night-time period (12am-6am) sees burglary reach its highest level at 38% of incidents, alongside a sharp increase in vehicle crime, which accounts for 20% of reports. This pattern highlights that while theft is a daytime concern, property and vehicle security are critical during the late-night hours.

In the local context of the Uttlesford and South Cambridgeshire border, Great Chesterford maintains a very strong safety profile. While it has a slightly higher crime rate (45.2) than the nearby village of Duxford (39.7), it remains significantly safer than many larger towns in the region. Several very small neighbouring communities, such as Ickleton, Hinxton, and Littlebury, have recorded no crimes at all, which is typical for such small settlements. For those seeking a village with excellent transport links and a secure residential environment, Great Chesterford offers a superior safety standard compared to most urban areas of its size, underpinned by its high safety score and declining crime trend.

In Great Chesterford, where the safety score is a high 91/100, maintaining the security of your home is about prevention rather than just reaction. While property crime is low at 13.9 per 1,000 residents, the fact that burglary risk peaks at 38% during the night-time hours is a significant consideration for homeowners. Traditional security systems, like standard CCTV or doorbell cameras, often only provide footage of an incident after it has occurred. For residents who want to stop a crime before it happens, scOS offers a proactive AI-powered solution. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries, scOS can detect suspicious activity in real-time. Whether it's identifying a potential intruder or verifying a vehicle, the system can autonomously engage deterrents like lights and speakers. This proactive approach is particularly effective in an area like Great Chesterford, where the goal is to deter the rare opportunistic offender and ensure that your home remains a safe haven. By investing in technology that prevents crime, you are taking the most effective step toward maintaining the village's high safety standards for your own property.