Crime in Central, Swindon: statistics, rates and trends
3,698 crimes were recorded in Central, Swindon in the 12 months to August 2026, 212.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and up 10% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Central, Swindon at a glance
- Crime trends in Central, Swindon
- Types of crime in Central, Swindon
- Central, Swindon compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Central, Swindon
- What happened after crimes were reported in Central, Swindon
- Demographics of Central, Swindon
- Questions about crime in Central, Swindon
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (1,136), anti-social behaviour (954) and public order (299) made up 65% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 173rd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the highest tenth.
| Measure | Central, Swindon | Swindon | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 3,698 | 19,935 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 212.5 | 81.7 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +10% | 0% | -1% |
| Population | 17,403 | 243,875 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Central, Swindon peaked in the year to August 2018 (4,679 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2021 (3,233). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 21%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 3,698 | 212.5 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 3,367 | 193.5 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 3,410 | 195.9 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 3,804 | 218.6 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 3,755 | 215.8 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 3,233 | 185.8 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 3,720 | 213.8 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 4,230 | 243.1 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 4,679 | 268.9 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 388 |
| July 2026 | 280 |
| June 2026 | 300 |
| May 2026 | 252 |
| April 2026 | 346 |
| March 2026 | 288 |
| February 2026 | 272 |
| January 2026 | 290 |
| December 2025 | 316 |
| November 2025 | 290 |
| October 2025 | 364 |
| September 2025 | 312 |
Compared with England and Wales, Central, Swindon recorded notably more bicycle theft (4.0 times the national rate), anti-social behaviour (3.6 times the national rate) and possession of weapons (2.7 times the national rate). On the year before, vehicle crime rose from 102 to 157 and possession of weapons rose from 35 to 46.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,136 | 65.3 | 34.2 | +4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 954 | 54.8 | 15.4 | +23% |
| Public order | 299 | 17.2 | 6.7 | +3% |
| Shoplifting | 277 | 15.9 | 8.5 | +6% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 247 | 14.2 | 6.7 | +6% |
| Other theft | 167 | 9.6 | 6.4 | -8% |
| Vehicle crime | 157 | 9.0 | 5.0 | +54% |
| Drugs | 125 | 7.2 | 3.3 | 0% |
| Burglary | 77 | 4.4 | 3.6 | +31% |
| Other crime | 73 | 4.2 | 2.1 | 0% |
| Bicycle theft | 57 | 3.3 | 0.8 | -10% |
| Possession of weapons | 46 | 2.6 | 1.0 | +31% |
| Theft from the person | 46 | 2.6 | 1.7 | -2% |
| Robbery | 37 | 2.1 | 1.4 | +16% |
What each category covers: crime categories.
Central, Swindon has a higher crime rate than all 8 of its nearest neighbourhoods.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Central, Swindon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastcott | 1,687 | 141.6 | -33% |
| Old Town | 984 | 84.9 | -60% |
| Gorse Hill and Pinehurst | 1,050 | 81.2 | -62% |
| Walcot and Park North | 1,336 | 110.0 | -48% |
| Mannington and Western | 1,124 | 89.5 | -58% |
| Rodbourne Cheney | 1,151 | 86.1 | -59% |
| Liden, Eldene and Park South | 1,181 | 84.4 | -60% |
| St Margaret and South Marston | 683 | 62.2 | -71% |
The 10 locations below account for 37% of the crime recorded in Central, Swindon over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Parking Area” (354).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 354 |
| On or near Regent Circus | 165 |
| On or near Queen Street | 164 |
| On or near College Street | 138 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 100 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 97 |
| On or near Temple Street | 95 |
| On or near Supermarket | 88 |
| On or near Spring Close | 85 |
| On or near Edgeware Road | 82 |
Of the 2,744 crimes in Central, Swindon with a recorded outcome, 32% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 6.0% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 954 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 874 | 31.9% | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 771 | 28.1% | 34.5% |
| Under investigation | 470 | 17.1% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 180 | 6.6% | 4.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 166 | 6.0% | 5.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 94 | 3.4% | 2.5% |
| Local resolution | 89 | 3.2% | 3.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 34 | 1.2% | 1.3% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 33 | 1.2% | 0.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 17 | 0.6% | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 10 | 0.4% | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.1% | 0.3% |
Central, Swindon has an estimated population of 17,403 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has more private renting (46%, against 20%), more households without a car (40%, against 23%) and fewer retired residents (9.3%, against 21.6%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Central, Swindon average decile 4.2 (1 = most deprived), more deprived than average.
| Measure | Central, Swindon | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.7% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 9.4% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 67.8% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 4.7% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 9.3% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 6.2% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 28.5% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 19.1% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 39.7% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 40.9% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 13.3% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 45.6% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.2 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Central, Swindon a safe place to live?
Central, Swindon recorded 212.5 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 173rd of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were bicycle theft and anti-social behaviour.
What is the most common crime in Central, Swindon?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,136 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (954).
Is crime in Central, Swindon going up or down?
Recorded crime in Central, Swindon was up 10% on the year before: 3,698 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 3,367 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Central, Swindon?
About 17,403 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 9.4% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Central, Swindon?
Central, Swindon is policed by Wiltshire.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.