Crime in Devizes: statistics, rates and trends

1,746 crimes were recorded in Devizes in the 12 months to July 2026, 95.6 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 675 reports (39% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Devizes has the 405th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Devizes was highest in the year to July 2022 (2,068 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (1,706). Over the whole period it fell 3%, 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 Devizes 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.

The largest increases were in violence and sexual offences (+11%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-62%) and burglary (-50%).

Violence and sexual offences in Devizes

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Devizes recorded 675 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (37.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 38.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Devizes

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Devizes recorded 445 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 25.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Devizes

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Devizes recorded 154 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Devizes

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Devizes recorded 144 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 8.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Devizes

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Devizes recorded 106 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Devizes

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Devizes recorded 82 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Devizes

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Devizes recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 34% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Devizes

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Devizes recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Devizes

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Devizes recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Devizes

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Devizes recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 62% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Devizes

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Devizes recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 56% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Devizes

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Devizes recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Devizes

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Devizes recorded 7 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 22% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Devizes

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Devizes recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

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

4 areas within Devizes, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Devizes North had the highest rate (199.9 per 1,000) and Bromham, Rowde & Roundway the lowest (56.4). 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 Devizes over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Devizes 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.

Devizes has an estimated population of 18,261. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Devizes sits in decile 6.7, 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 Devizes. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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