Crime in Cheltenham district: statistics, rates and trends

12,806 crimes were recorded in Cheltenham district in the 12 months to July 2026, 105.2 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,870 reports (30% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Cheltenham district has the 87th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Cheltenham district was highest in the year to July 2020 (14,286 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (12,478). Over the whole period it fell 6%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Cheltenham district over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, burglary.

The largest increases were in shoplifting (+20%) and burglary (+17%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-22%) and drugs (-20%).

Violence and sexual offences in Cheltenham district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Cheltenham district recorded 3,870 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 30.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Cheltenham district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Cheltenham district recorded 3,036 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 23.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Cheltenham district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Cheltenham district recorded 1,544 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 12.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Cheltenham district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Cheltenham district recorded 804 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Cheltenham district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Cheltenham district recorded 732 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Cheltenham district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Cheltenham district recorded 730 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Cheltenham district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Cheltenham district recorded 648 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Cheltenham district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Cheltenham district recorded 542 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Cheltenham district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Cheltenham district recorded 252 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Cheltenham district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Cheltenham district recorded 202 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Cheltenham district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Cheltenham district recorded 174 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Cheltenham district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Cheltenham district recorded 128 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Cheltenham district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Cheltenham district recorded 88 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Cheltenham district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Cheltenham district recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to Cheltenham district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Cheltenham district.

23 areas within Cheltenham district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Swindon (Cheltenham) had the highest rate (357.8 per 1,000) and Warden Hill the lowest (37.0). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Cheltenham district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Cheltenham district over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Cheltenham district has an estimated population of 121,739. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Cheltenham district sits in decile 7.4, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Cheltenham district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.