Crime in Melksham South: statistics, rates and trends

371 crimes were recorded in Melksham South in the 12 months to July 2026, 92.4 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 19% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 129 reports (35% of the total).

Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Melksham South has the 1,425th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Melksham South was highest in the year to July 2021 (443 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (313). Over the whole period it fell 15%, 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 Melksham South 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, bicycle theft.

The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+76%). The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-21%).

Violence and sexual offences in Melksham South

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Melksham South recorded 129 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 34.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Melksham South

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Melksham South recorded 111 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 76% on the year before. It made up 29.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Melksham South

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Melksham South recorded 33 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 154% on the year before. It made up 8.9% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Melksham South

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Melksham South recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Melksham South

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Melksham South recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 5.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Melksham South

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Melksham South recorded 13 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Melksham South

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Melksham South recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Melksham South

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Melksham South recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Melksham South

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Melksham South recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Melksham South

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Melksham South recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 55% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Melksham South

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Melksham South recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 60% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Melksham South

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Melksham South recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Melksham South

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Melksham South recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Melksham South

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Melksham South recorded 2 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 with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Melksham South, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Melksham South.

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 Melksham South over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Melksham South 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.

Melksham South has an estimated population of 4,016. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Melksham South sits in decile 7.2, 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 Melksham South. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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