Crime in Swindon: statistics, rates and trends
19,864 crimes were recorded in Swindon in the 12 months to July 2026, 81.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Swindon at a glance
- Crime trends in Swindon
- Types of crime in Swindon
- Swindon compared with nearby districts
- Areas within Swindon
- Streets with the most crime in Swindon
- What happened after crimes were reported in Swindon
- Population and deprivation in Swindon
- Questions about crime in Swindon
- About this data
19,864 crimes were recorded in Swindon in the 12 months to July 2026, 81.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 7,581 reports (38% of the total).
Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Swindon has the 173rd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Swindon | South West | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 19,864 | 491,906 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 81.5 | 83.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -1% | +1% | -1% |
| Population | 243,875 | 5,889,695 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Swindon was highest in the year to July 2018 (25,817 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (19,864). Over the whole period it fell 23%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 19,864 | 81.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 20,055 | 82.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 20,081 | 82.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 21,511 | 88.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 20,605 | 84.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 20,578 | 84.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 22,203 | 91.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 24,241 | 99.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 25,817 | 105.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 1,806 |
| June 2026 | 1,510 |
| May 2026 | 1,600 |
| April 2026 | 1,752 |
| March 2026 | 1,785 |
| February 2026 | 1,555 |
| January 2026 | 1,601 |
| December 2025 | 1,540 |
| November 2025 | 1,633 |
| October 2025 | 1,727 |
| September 2025 | 1,655 |
| August 2025 | 1,700 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Swindon 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. The largest increases were in robbery (+16%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-21%) and drugs (-18%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 7,581 | 31.1 | 0.91 | +2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 3,889 | 15.9 | 1.04 | +2% |
| Public order | 1,647 | 6.8 | 1.02 | +3% |
| Shoplifting | 1,607 | 6.6 | 0.80 | -14% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 1,380 | 5.7 | 0.83 | -4% |
| Other theft | 941 | 3.9 | 0.60 | -0% |
| Vehicle crime | 744 | 3.1 | 0.62 | +4% |
| Drugs | 507 | 2.1 | 0.64 | -18% |
| Burglary | 454 | 1.9 | 0.53 | -2% |
| Other crime | 427 | 1.8 | 0.83 | -3% |
| Possession of weapons | 208 | 0.9 | 0.88 | +0% |
| Bicycle theft | 200 | 0.8 | 1.00 | -21% |
| Robbery | 156 | 0.6 | 0.47 | +16% |
| Theft from the person | 123 | 0.5 | 0.30 | -10% |
Violence and sexual offences in Swindon
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Swindon recorded 7,581 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 38.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Swindon
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Swindon recorded 3,889 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 19.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Swindon
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Swindon recorded 1,647 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Swindon
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Swindon recorded 1,607 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Swindon
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Swindon recorded 1,380 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Swindon
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Swindon recorded 941 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Swindon
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Swindon recorded 744 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Swindon
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Swindon recorded 507 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Swindon
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Swindon recorded 454 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Swindon
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Swindon recorded 427 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Swindon
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Swindon recorded 208 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Swindon
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Swindon recorded 200 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Swindon
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Swindon recorded 156 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Swindon
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Swindon recorded 123 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 10% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the districts closest to Swindon, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Swindon.
| District | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Swindon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotswold | 5,406 | 59.0 | -28% |
| Vale of White Horse | 7,923 | 53.1 | -35% |
| Wiltshire | 31,787 | 60.7 | -25% |
| West Oxfordshire | 6,008 | 49.7 | -39% |
| Stroud | 7,940 | 63.2 | -22% |
| West Berkshire | 10,809 | 65.5 | -20% |
| Cheltenham | 12,806 | 105.2 | +29% |
| Oxford | 17,736 | 106.8 | +31% |
27 areas within Swindon, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Central had the highest rate (209.0 per 1,000) and Haydon Wick the lowest (31.6). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central | Neighbourhood | 17,403 | 3,638 | 209.0 |
| Wanborough | Town | 2,003 | 303 | 151.3 |
| Eastcott | Neighbourhood | 11,911 | 1,650 | 138.5 |
| Walcot and Park North | Neighbourhood | 12,147 | 1,325 | 109.1 |
| Ridgeway | Neighbourhood | 3,582 | 351 | 98.0 |
| Mannington and Western | Neighbourhood | 12,552 | 1,130 | 90.0 |
| Swindon (Swindon) | Town | 190,862 | 16,566 | 86.8 |
| Penhill and Upper Stratton | Neighbourhood | 14,765 | 1,249 | 84.6 |
| Rodbourne Cheney | Neighbourhood | 13,371 | 1,124 | 84.1 |
| Liden, Eldene and Park South | Neighbourhood | 13,992 | 1,174 | 83.9 |
| Old Town | Neighbourhood | 11,595 | 967 | 83.4 |
| Gorse Hill and Pinehurst | Neighbourhood | 12,933 | 1,054 | 81.5 |
| Lydiard and Freshbrook | Neighbourhood | 11,137 | 835 | 75.0 |
| Stratton St Margaret | Town | 20,522 | 1,268 | 61.8 |
| St Margaret and South Marston | Neighbourhood | 10,981 | 678 | 61.7 |
| Blunsdon and Highworth | Neighbourhood | 12,068 | 725 | 60.1 |
| Wroughton | Town | 9,589 | 529 | 55.2 |
| Wroughton and Wichelstowe | Neighbourhood | 9,589 | 529 | 55.2 |
| St Andrews | Neighbourhood | 22,060 | 1,098 | 49.8 |
| Priory Vale | Neighbourhood | 14,271 | 695 | 48.7 |
| Broad Blunsdon | Town | 7,637 | 365 | 47.8 |
| Highworth | Town | 8,447 | 395 | 46.8 |
| Shaw | Neighbourhood | 10,728 | 496 | 46.2 |
| Chiseldon | Town | 1,756 | 79 | 45.0 |
| Chiseldon and Lawn | Neighbourhood | 8,724 | 389 | 44.6 |
| Covingham and Dorcan | Neighbourhood | 10,131 | 443 | 43.7 |
| Haydon Wick | Neighbourhood | 9,935 | 314 | 31.6 |
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 Swindon over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 965 |
| On or near Supermarket | 865 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 769 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 422 |
| On or near Hospital | 169 |
| On or near Regent Circus | 166 |
| On or near Queen Street | 164 |
| On or near High Street | 145 |
| On or near Nightclub | 137 |
| On or near College Street | 123 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Swindon 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 5,021 | 25.3% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 4,588 | 23.1% |
| Not recorded | 3,889 | 19.6% |
| Under investigation | 2,775 | 14.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 943 | 4.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 884 | 4.5% |
| Local resolution | 485 | 2.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 465 | 2.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 442 | 2.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 212 | 1.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 74 | 0.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 44 | 0.2% |
Swindon has an estimated population of 243,875. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Swindon sits in decile 6.3, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Swindon |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 63.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 64.9% |
| Social rented homes | 15.6% |
| Private rented homes | 19.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.3 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 7.1% |
Is Swindon a safe place to live?
Swindon recorded 81.5 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Swindon?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 7,581 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (3,889).
Is crime in Swindon going up or down?
Recorded crime in Swindon was almost unchanged on the year before: 19,864 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 20,055 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Swindon?
Swindon is policed by Wiltshire. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 Swindon. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.