Side-by-side crime statistics from official UK Police data.
CM1 · Essex
267
crimes in February 2026
Above national average
CM8 · Essex
125
crimes in February 2026
Near national average
Witham has less crime — 125 vs 267 incidents in February 2026.
Chelmsford recorded notably higher crime than Witham in February 2026 — 267 vs 125 incidents. The crime profiles diverge meaningfully: Chelmsford sees higher rates of Shoplifting (38), while Witham has more Public order (22). Both areas sit near the national average, with modest differences in their overall safety profile.
Full reports cover 24 months of trends, ward breakdowns, outcome rates, and a detailed safety score — from £4.99.
Based on February 2026 Police data, Witham recorded fewer crimes than Chelmsford — 125 vs 267 incidents. That is 53% fewer crimes. Chelmsford is above the national average.
The main difference lies in crime type. In February 2026, Chelmsford saw higher rates of Shoplifting while Witham had more Public order. Overall, Witham recorded fewer total crimes (125 vs 267).