What is the crime rate in Chelmsford?

As of February 2026, Chelmsford has a crime rate of 6.42 per 1,000 residents, based on 1,166 recorded offences.

How does Chelmsford rank nationally for crime?

Chelmsford ranks #121 out of 331 local authorities by total crime volume.

What is the most common crime in Chelmsford?

The most common crime type in Chelmsford is Violence and sexual offences with 442 incidents in February 2026, accounting for 37.9% of all crime.

What is the crime rate in Chelmsford?

As of February 2026, Chelmsford has a crime rate of 6.42 per 1,000 residents, based on 1,166 recorded offences.

How does Chelmsford rank nationally for crime?

Chelmsford ranks #121 out of 331 local authorities by total crime volume.

What is the most common crime in Chelmsford?

The most common crime type in Chelmsford is Violence and sexual offences with 442 incidents in February 2026, accounting for 37.9% of all crime.

February 2026 Source: Essex Police Police

Chelmsford Crime Intelligence Report

Chelmsford recorded 1,166 crimes in February 2026, equating to a crime rate of 6.42 per 1,000 residents. This places Chelmsford at #121 of 331 local authorities nationally by total crime volume. Crime has decreased by 0.9% compared to the previous month. Year-on-year, crime levels are 15.9% higher.

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Data Sources:Police.ukONS Census 2021HM Land Registry Period: February 2026 • Updated monthly

Total Crimes

1,166

trending_down -0.9% vs last month

Crime Rate

6.42per 1k

Moderate

National Rank

#121of 331

By total crime volume

Essex

#3rank

Ranked within county

12-Month Crime Trend

Monthly Totals

Interactive Crime Map

District View

Live Points

Crime Incident

Area Boundary

Incident Distribution

Top Locations

Location Reference	Crime Breakdown	Primary Count
On or near Willow Grove Map	Shoplifting: 44	44
On or near Nightclub Map	Violence and sexual offences: 18 Drugs: 6 Public order: 4	18
On or near Supermarket Map	Shoplifting: 32	32
On or near Parking Area Map	Violence and sexual offences: 27	27
On or near Shopping Area Map	Shoplifting: 21 Other theft: 3	21
On or near Bus/Coach Station Map	Shoplifting: 18	18
On or near Tindal Square Map	Violence and sexual offences: 12 Drugs: 3 Possession of weapons: 3	12
On or near New Dukes Way Map	Violence and sexual offences: 10 Drugs: 3 Vehicle crime: 2	10
On or near Puddings Wood Drive Map	Violence and sexual offences: 10 Criminal damage and arson: 3	10
On or near Park Road Map	Shoplifting: 8 Anti-social behaviour: 4	8

Crime Breakdown

February 2026

1,166 Total

Violence & Sexual Offences

442

37.9%

Shoplifting

161

13.8%

Anti-social Behaviour

100

8.6%

Public Order

7.0%

Other Theft

6.2%

Criminal Damage & Arson

5.7%

Vehicle Crime

5.5%

Drug Offences

5.1%

Burglary

4.9%

Other Crime

2.1%

Weapons Possession

1.1%

Robbery

0.9%

Theft from Person

0.7%

Bicycle Theft

0.4%

Expert Safety Insights

Ward Safety Rankings

24 wards

Highest Crime

#	Ward	Crimes	Rate
1	Moulsham and Central	282	5.2
2	Marconi	98	3.1
3	South Woodham-Elmwood and Woodville	81	5.3
4	Chelmer Village and Beaulieu Park	77	3.9
5	Broomfield and The Walthams	74	13.6

Safest Wards

	Ward	Crimes	Rate
shield	Chelmsford Rural West	11	100.9
shield	The Lawns	13	1.0
shield	Moulsham Lodge	14	0.8
shield	Bicknacre and East and West Hanningfield	16	16.7
shield	South Woodham-Chetwood and Collingwood	17	1.0

Growth Analysis

Month-on-Monthtrending_down -0.9%

Year-on-Yeartrending_up +15.9%

Data Transparency

Crime rates are calculated per 1,000 residents using ONS Census 2021 population data. Rankings cover all 331 local authorities in England & Wales.

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