Lowest-crime areas in Chelmsford
Of Chelmsford's 22 neighbourhoods, South Woodham Ferrers South recorded the lowest crime rate, 28 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, and Central Chelmsford East the highest, 321 crimes per 1,000 residents. 18 of 22 are below the England and Wales rate of 97 crimes per 1,000 residents. Figures cover October 2025 to September 2026.
Chelmsford neighbourhoods by crime rate
| # | Neighbourhood | Crimes per 1,000 | Compared with England and Wales | Most common |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Woodham Ferrers Southaround CM3 5GD | 28 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 2 | Moulsham Eastaround CM2 9NY | 35 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 3 | Springfield South & Coronation Parkaround CM1 6JU | 46 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 4 | Danbury & Bicknacrearound CM3 4FS | 46 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 5 | Moulsham Westaround CM2 9PP | 50 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 6 | Great Baddow North & Eastaround CM2 7DF | 50 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 7 | Springfield Northaround CM1 6XJ | 52 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 8 | Writtle & Highwoodaround CM1 3LW | 53 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 9 | Boreham & Little Baddowaround CM3 3DH | 60 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 10 | Galleywoodaround CM2 8QJ | 63 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 11 | Margaretting, Stock & Ramsdenaround CM4 9RU | 63 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 12 | Great Leighs & the Walthamsaround CM3 3LN | 66 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 13 | Rettendon & Runwellaround SS11 7DX | 70 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 14 | Great Baddow South & Westaround CM2 9UB | 72 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 15 | Melbourne Park, Chignall & Plesheyaround CM1 2HQ | 73 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 16 | South Woodham Ferrers Northaround CM3 5JQ | 79 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 17 | Chelmer Villagearound CM2 6XU | 83 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 18 | South Broomfieldaround CM1 4FB | 84 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 19 | Waterhouse Lane & Admirals Parkaround CM1 2RN | 105 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 20 | Melbournearound CM1 4HZ | 109 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 21 | Central Chelmsford Westaround CM2 0RR | 275 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
| 22 | Central Chelmsford Eastaround CM1 1PA | 321 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
Source: data.police.uk, October 2025 to September 2026, and ONS population estimates. Rates are per 1,000 residents, so town and city centres, with many visitors and few residents, rank high.
Questions
Which area of Chelmsford has the lowest crime rate?
South Woodham Ferrers South had the lowest recorded crime rate in Chelmsford from October 2025 to September 2026: 28 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, against 97 crimes per 1,000 residents across England and Wales.
Which area of Chelmsford has the highest crime rate?
Central Chelmsford East had the highest recorded crime rate in Chelmsford from October 2025 to September 2026: 321 crimes per 1,000 residents a year. Busy centres often rank high because rates are per resident, not per visitor.
How is the crime rate worked out?
Crimes reported to police and published on data.police.uk over the last 12 months, divided by each neighbourhood's population from ONS estimates. Neighbourhoods are the ONS areas of about 7,000 people that the House of Commons Library has named.