Crime in Bradford-on-Avon: statistics, rates and trends
459 crimes were recorded in Bradford-on-Avon in the 12 months to August 2026, 48.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and up 8% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- 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
- Demographics of Bradford-on-Avon
- Questions about crime in Bradford-on-Avon
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (170), anti-social behaviour (81) and public order (44) made up 64% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 1,173rd of the 1,390 towns covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lowest quarter.
| Measure | Bradford-on-Avon | Wiltshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 459 | 31,724 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 48.6 | 60.6 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +8% | 0% | -1% |
| Population | 9,442 | 523,700 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Bradford-on-Avon peaked in the year to August 2018 (665 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2025 (425). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 31%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 459 | 48.6 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 425 | 45.0 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 503 | 53.3 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 465 | 49.2 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 518 | 54.9 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 533 | 56.4 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 584 | 61.9 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 618 | 65.5 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 665 | 70.4 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 41 |
| 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 |
No category with at least 20 crimes was notably above the England and Wales rate, and other theft (66% below) and violence and sexual offences (47% below) were well below it. On the year before, violence and sexual offences rose from 141 to 170.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 170 | 18.0 | 34.2 | +21% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 81 | 8.6 | 15.4 | -10% |
| Public order | 44 | 4.7 | 6.7 | +2% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 43 | 4.6 | 6.7 | +2% |
| Burglary | 34 | 3.6 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Other theft | 21 | 2.2 | 6.4 | -12% |
| Vehicle crime | 16 | 1.7 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Shoplifting | 14 | 1.5 | 8.5 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 11 | 1.2 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 10 | 1.1 | 1.0 | n/a |
| Other crime | 8 | 0.8 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Drugs | 4 | 0.4 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.2 | 1.7 | n/a |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 1.4 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
6 of the 8 nearest towns have a higher crime rate than Bradford-on-Avon; the highest is Bath (118.0 per 1,000) and the lowest Peasedown St John (39.8).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Bradford-on-Avon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trowbridge | 4,063 | 95.1 | +96% |
| Melksham | 1,375 | 74.1 | +52% |
| Bath | 11,682 | 118.0 | +143% |
| Corsham | 387 | 44.5 | -9% |
| Westbury (Wiltshire) | 1,017 | 56.5 | +16% |
| Peasedown St John | 201 | 39.8 | -18% |
| Frome | 2,887 | 99.5 | +105% |
| Chippenham (Wiltshire) | 1,727 | 49.4 | +2% |
Of the 2 areas within Bradford-on-Avon, Bradford-on-Avon South had the highest crime rate (64.2 per 1,000) and Bradford-on-Avon North the lowest (43.6).
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradford-on-Avon South | Neighbourhood | 4,505 | 289 | 64.2 |
| Bradford-on-Avon North | Neighbourhood | 6,074 | 265 | 43.6 |
The 10 locations below account for 48% of the crime recorded in Bradford-on-Avon over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Station Approach” (42).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Station Approach | 42 |
| On or near Elmfield | 33 |
| On or near Parking Area | 26 |
| On or near Bradford-On-Avon | 24 |
| On or near Spencers Orchard | 23 |
| On or near Kennet Gardens | 17 |
| On or near Trowbridge Road | 16 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 15 |
| On or near Cottle Avenue | 13 |
| On or near Greenland View | 10 |
Of the 378 crimes in Bradford-on-Avon with a recorded outcome, 32% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 2.9% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 81 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 120 | 31.7% | 35.3% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 117 | 31.0% | 34.5% |
| Under investigation | 66 | 17.5% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 25 | 6.6% | 4.7% |
| Local resolution | 15 | 4.0% | 3.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 11 | 2.9% | 5.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 9 | 2.4% | 0.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 7 | 1.9% | 1.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 4 | 1.1% | 2.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.5% | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.5% | 0.6% |
Bradford-on-Avon has an estimated population of 9,442 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has an older population (30%, against 19%), more retired residents (33%, against 22%) and less private renting (11%, against 20%). On the England IoD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Bradford-on-Avon average decile 8.5 (1 = most deprived), less deprived than average.
| Measure | Bradford-on-Avon | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.1% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 29.9% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 52.9% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.3% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 32.8% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 5.0% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 48.4% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 11.5% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 15.7% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 74.6% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 14.8% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 10.6% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.5 | 5.5 (England) |
Is Bradford-on-Avon a safe place to live?
Bradford-on-Avon recorded 48.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 1,173rd of the 1,390 towns on this site by crime rate (1 = highest).
What is the most common crime in Bradford-on-Avon?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 170 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (81).
Is crime in Bradford-on-Avon going up or down?
Recorded crime in Bradford-on-Avon was up 8% on the year before: 459 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 425 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Bradford-on-Avon?
About 9,442 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 30% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Bradford-on-Avon?
Bradford-on-Avon 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.