Crime in Cheltenham: statistics, rates and trends

12,084 crimes were recorded in Cheltenham in the 12 months to July 2026, 104.4 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,756 reports (31% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Cheltenham has the 310th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Cheltenham was highest in the year to July 2020 (13,671 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (11,780). Over the whole period it fell 8%, 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 Cheltenham 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, shoplifting, bicycle theft.

The largest increases were in shoplifting (+27%) and robbery (+18%). The largest falls were in drugs (-21%) and possession of weapons (-19%).

Violence and sexual offences in Cheltenham

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Cheltenham recorded 3,756 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (32.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 31.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Cheltenham

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Cheltenham recorded 2,908 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 24.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Cheltenham

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Cheltenham recorded 1,292 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 10.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Cheltenham

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Cheltenham recorded 758 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Cheltenham

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Cheltenham recorded 700 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Cheltenham

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Cheltenham recorded 696 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Cheltenham

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Cheltenham recorded 622 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Cheltenham

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Cheltenham recorded 504 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Cheltenham

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Cheltenham recorded 240 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Cheltenham

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Cheltenham recorded 192 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Cheltenham

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Cheltenham recorded 172 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Cheltenham

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Cheltenham recorded 118 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Cheltenham

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Cheltenham recorded 74 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Cheltenham

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Cheltenham recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

19 areas within Cheltenham, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Lansdown had the highest rate (235.2 per 1,000) and Warden Hill the lowest (37.0). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Cheltenham over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Cheltenham 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.

Cheltenham has an estimated population of 115,756. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Cheltenham 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 Cheltenham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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