CHESHIRE Constabulary has achieved the highest overall charge rate for crime in England and Wales, while recorded crime across the county has fallen for a fourth consecutive year.
The latest Home Office figures show the force recorded the highest charge rate for all crime in England and Wales in the 12 months to March 2026.
The national police recorded crime and outcomes open data tables were updated on Thursday, October 22, highlighting Cheshire’s performance in bringing offenders before the courts.
The force also recorded the highest charge rates nationally for sexual offences, violence against the person, stalking and harassment, and burglary.
Cheshire Constabulary ranked second for vehicle crime, third for shoplifting, fifth for rape offences and sixth for robbery.
Separate figures released on October 22 show further reductions in crime across Cheshire, with overall recorded crime falling by another one per cent.
The latest figures continue a four-year trend of declining crime across the county.
Among the offences recording reductions were:
– Residential burglary: down 12 per cent.
– Other burglary offences: down two per cent.
– Bicycle theft: down eight per cent.
– Stalking and harassment: down seven per cent.
– Theft from a person: down five per cent.
– Shoplifting: down one per cent.
The results come as Cheshire Constabulary continues to focus on tackling crime, protecting vulnerable people and securing justice for victims.
Chief Constable Mark Roberts QPM said he was proud to see the efforts of officers and staff reflected in the national figures as he prepares to retire in November after 33 years in policing.
He said: “Cheshire Constabulary is continuing to be a leading example of how policing should be done, not just in the Northwest, but nationally. It fills me with an enormous sense of pride to see the efforts of our officers and staff reflected in these nationally released figures. My thanks, as always, goes to them for their great work.
“It is their vital contributions to protecting and serving the good people of our county that has resulted in Cheshire sitting at the top of the table for driving down the number of multiple major crime types and securing charges against those who are foolish enough to think they can get away with it.”
He said offences including residential burglaries, shoplifting and bicycle theft were being robustly tackled, adding that local policing teams were sending a clear message that such crimes would not be tolerated.
The Chief Constable also highlighted the force’s performance in dealing with stalking, harassment and sexual offences.
He said Cheshire was continuing to work hard to secure charges against suspects involved in rape and serious sexual offences, ranking ahead of 41 other English and Welsh forces.
Mr Roberts added: “As I approach my retirement in November, I am incredibly proud to be finishing my 33-years in policing in a force that is performing so strongly in tackling the biggest issues that matter the most to its residents.
“We work around the clock, 365 days a year to help them feel safe, bring bad people to justice and, most importantly, keep Cheshire a hostile environment for criminals.”
The latest figures cover Cheshire Constabulary’s force area, which includes Warrington, and reflect recorded crime and criminal justice outcomes across the wider county.
While the figures point to improvements in overall recorded crime and charge rates, the charge rate measures the proportion of recorded crimes resulting in a charge and does not, on its own, represent the outcome of every reported offence.
