Crime in Bradford-on-Avon: statistics, rates and trends
465 crimes were recorded in Bradford-on-Avon in the 12 months to July 2026, 49.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Bradford-on-Avon at a glance
- Crime trends in Bradford-on-Avon
- Types of crime in Bradford-on-Avon
- Bradford-on-Avon compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Bradford-on-Avon
- Streets with the most crime in Bradford-on-Avon
- What happened after crimes were reported in Bradford-on-Avon
- Population and deprivation in Bradford-on-Avon
- Questions about crime in Bradford-on-Avon
- About this data
465 crimes were recorded in Bradford-on-Avon in the 12 months to July 2026, 49.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 168 reports (36% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Bradford-on-Avon has the 1,162nd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Bradford-on-Avon | Wiltshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 465 | 31,787 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 49.2 | 60.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +7% | +1% | -1% |
| Population | 9,442 | 523,700 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Bradford-on-Avon was highest in the year to July 2018 (666 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (436). Over the whole period it fell 30%, 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 | 465 | 49.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 436 | 46.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 481 | 50.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 464 | 49.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 522 | 55.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 561 | 59.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 569 | 60.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 629 | 66.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 666 | 70.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 36 |
| June 2026 | 38 |
| May 2026 | 43 |
| April 2026 | 59 |
| March 2026 | 52 |
| February 2026 | 23 |
| January 2026 | 22 |
| December 2025 | 36 |
| November 2025 | 37 |
| October 2025 | 42 |
| September 2025 | 30 |
| August 2025 | 47 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Bradford-on-Avon 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 bicycle theft.
The largest increases were in criminal damage and arson (+27%) and public order (+14%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-55%) and vehicle crime (-37%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 168 | 17.8 | 0.52 | +13% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 83 | 8.8 | 0.57 | -1% |
| Public order | 48 | 5.1 | 0.77 | +14% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 47 | 5.0 | 0.73 | +27% |
| Burglary | 32 | 3.4 | 0.96 | +167% |
| Other theft | 21 | 2.2 | 0.35 | -19% |
| Vehicle crime | 17 | 1.8 | 0.37 | -37% |
| Shoplifting | 15 | 1.6 | 0.19 | -55% |
| Bicycle theft | 11 | 1.2 | 1.42 | +267% |
| Possession of weapons | 8 | 0.8 | 0.87 | +167% |
| Other crime | 7 | 0.7 | 0.35 | -30% |
| Drugs | 6 | 0.6 | 0.19 | -14% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.08 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.06 | -67% |
Violence and sexual offences in Bradford-on-Avon
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bradford-on-Avon recorded 168 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 36.1% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Bradford-on-Avon
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bradford-on-Avon recorded 83 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 17.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Bradford-on-Avon
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bradford-on-Avon recorded 48 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 10.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Bradford-on-Avon
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bradford-on-Avon recorded 47 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Bradford-on-Avon
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bradford-on-Avon recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 167% on the year before. It made up 6.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Bradford-on-Avon
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bradford-on-Avon recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Bradford-on-Avon
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bradford-on-Avon recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Bradford-on-Avon
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bradford-on-Avon recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 55% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Bradford-on-Avon
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bradford-on-Avon recorded 11 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 up 267% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Bradford-on-Avon
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bradford-on-Avon recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 167% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Bradford-on-Avon
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bradford-on-Avon recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Bradford-on-Avon
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bradford-on-Avon recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Bradford-on-Avon
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bradford-on-Avon recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Bradford-on-Avon
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bradford-on-Avon recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Bradford-on-Avon, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Bradford-on-Avon.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Bradford-on-Avon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trowbridge | 4,041 | 94.6 | +92% |
| Melksham | 1,335 | 71.9 | +46% |
| Bath | 11,518 | 116.4 | +136% |
| Corsham | 390 | 44.8 | -9% |
| Westbury (Wiltshire) | 1,029 | 57.2 | +16% |
| Peasedown St John | 209 | 41.4 | -16% |
| Frome | 2,957 | 101.9 | +107% |
| Chippenham (Wiltshire) | 1,714 | 49.1 | -0% |
2 areas within Bradford-on-Avon, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Bradford-on-Avon South had the highest rate (65.9 per 1,000) and Bradford-on-Avon North the lowest (43.5). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradford-on-Avon South | Neighbourhood | 4,505 | 297 | 65.9 |
| Bradford-on-Avon North | Neighbourhood | 6,074 | 264 | 43.5 |
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 Bradford-on-Avon over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Station Approach | 49 |
| On or near Elmfield | 31 |
| On or near Bradford-On-Avon | 27 |
| On or near Parking Area | 26 |
| On or near Spencers Orchard | 25 |
| On or near Kennet Gardens | 18 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 18 |
| On or near Trowbridge Road | 15 |
| On or near Kingsfield Leaze | 11 |
| On or near Cottle Avenue | 10 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bradford-on-Avon 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 | 124 | 26.7% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 122 | 26.2% |
| Not recorded | 83 | 17.8% |
| Under investigation | 62 | 13.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 24 | 5.2% |
| Local resolution | 15 | 3.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 10 | 2.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 9 | 1.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 7 | 1.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 4 | 0.9% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.6% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.4% |
Bradford-on-Avon has an estimated population of 9,442. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bradford-on-Avon sits in decile 8.5, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Bradford-on-Avon |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 53.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 29.9% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 74.6% |
| Social rented homes | 14.8% |
| Private rented homes | 10.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.5 |
Is Bradford-on-Avon a safe place to live?
Bradford-on-Avon recorded 49.2 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 Bradford-on-Avon?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 168 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (83).
Is crime in Bradford-on-Avon going up or down?
Recorded crime in Bradford-on-Avon was up 7% on the year before: 465 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 436 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Bradford-on-Avon?
Bradford-on-Avon 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 Bradford-on-Avon. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.