Crime in St Margaret and South Marston: statistics, rates and trends
683 crimes were recorded in St Margaret and South Marston in the 12 months to August 2026, 62.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and down 10% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in St Margaret and South Marston at a glance
- Crime trends in St Margaret and South Marston
- Types of crime in St Margaret and South Marston
- St Margaret and South Marston compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in St Margaret and South Marston
- What happened after crimes were reported in St Margaret and South Marston
- Demographics of St Margaret and South Marston
- Questions about crime in St Margaret and South Marston
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (262), anti-social behaviour (132) and shoplifting (56) made up 66% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 2,521st of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lower half.
| Measure | St Margaret and South Marston | Swindon | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 683 | 19,935 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 62.2 | 81.7 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -10% | 0% | -1% |
| Population | 10,981 | 243,875 | 58,127,638 |
The year to August 2026 had the least recorded crime in St Margaret and South Marston of any year here (683 crimes). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 42%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 683 | 62.2 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 755 | 68.8 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 880 | 80.1 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 853 | 77.7 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 692 | 63.0 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 759 | 69.1 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 936 | 85.2 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 1,014 | 92.3 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 1,182 | 107.6 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 51 |
| July 2026 | 63 |
| June 2026 | 48 |
| May 2026 | 56 |
| April 2026 | 53 |
| March 2026 | 58 |
| February 2026 | 70 |
| January 2026 | 54 |
| December 2025 | 61 |
| November 2025 | 56 |
| October 2025 | 42 |
| September 2025 | 71 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and other theft (55% below) and vehicle crime (49% below) were well below it. On the year before, drugs fell from 42 to 23 and shoplifting fell from 74 to 56.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 262 | 23.9 | 34.2 | -4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 132 | 12.0 | 15.4 | +2% |
| Shoplifting | 56 | 5.1 | 8.5 | -24% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 51 | 4.6 | 6.7 | -23% |
| Public order | 47 | 4.3 | 6.7 | -13% |
| Other theft | 32 | 2.9 | 6.4 | -9% |
| Vehicle crime | 28 | 2.5 | 5.0 | -12% |
| Drugs | 23 | 2.1 | 3.3 | -45% |
| Burglary | 16 | 1.5 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Other crime | 13 | 1.2 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 9 | 0.8 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 8 | 0.7 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.3 | 1.4 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 3 | 0.3 | 1.7 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
7 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than St Margaret and South Marston; the highest is Central, Swindon (212.5 per 1,000) and the lowest Covingham and Dorcan (44.8).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs St Margaret and South Marston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covingham and Dorcan | 454 | 44.8 | -28% |
| Gorse Hill and Pinehurst | 1,050 | 81.2 | +31% |
| Penhill and Upper Stratton | 1,230 | 83.3 | +34% |
| Walcot and Park North | 1,336 | 110.0 | +77% |
| Liden, Eldene and Park South | 1,181 | 84.4 | +36% |
| Central | 3,698 | 212.5 | +242% |
| Eastcott | 1,687 | 141.6 | +128% |
| Rodbourne Cheney | 1,151 | 86.1 | +38% |
The 10 locations below account for 47% of the crime recorded in St Margaret and South Marston over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Parking Area” (71).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 71 |
| On or near A420 | 45 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 36 |
| On or near St Quentin Close | 29 |
| On or near Drake'S Way | 28 |
| On or near Twickenham Close | 26 |
| On or near Church Way | 22 |
| On or near A4312 | 21 |
| On or near Greenbridge Road | 21 |
| On or near Frank Warman Court | 20 |
Of the 551 crimes in St Margaret and South Marston with a recorded outcome, 32% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 2.2% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 132 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 180 | 32.7% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 177 | 32.1% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 91 | 16.5% | 11.5% |
| Local resolution | 27 | 4.9% | 3.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 25 | 4.5% | 4.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 23 | 4.2% | 1.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 12 | 2.2% | 5.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 9 | 1.6% | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.5% | 0.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.4% | 2.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.4% | 0.6% |
St Margaret and South Marston has an estimated population of 10,981 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has less social housing (8.4%, against 17.1%), fewer students (4.7%, against 7.9%) and fewer households without a car (15%, against 23%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up St Margaret and South Marston average decile 7.5 (1 = most deprived), less deprived than average.
| Measure | St Margaret and South Marston | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.6% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 22.9% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 60.0% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.9% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 26.4% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 4.7% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 23.7% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 17.7% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 15.5% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 77.8% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 8.4% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 13.7% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 7.5 | 5.5 (England) |
Is St Margaret and South Marston a safe place to live?
St Margaret and South Marston recorded 62.2 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 2,521st of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in St Margaret and South Marston?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 262 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (132).
Is crime in St Margaret and South Marston going up or down?
Recorded crime in St Margaret and South Marston was down 10% on the year before: 683 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 755 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of St Margaret and South Marston?
About 10,981 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 23% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers St Margaret and South Marston?
St Margaret and South Marston 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.