Crime in Highworth: statistics, rates and trends
395 crimes were recorded in Highworth in the 12 months to July 2026, 46.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Highworth at a glance
- Crime trends in Highworth
- Types of crime in Highworth
- Highworth compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Highworth
- Streets with the most crime in Highworth
- What happened after crimes were reported in Highworth
- Population and deprivation in Highworth
- Questions about crime in Highworth
- About this data
395 crimes were recorded in Highworth in the 12 months to July 2026, 46.8 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 163 reports (41% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Highworth has the 1,213th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Highworth | Swindon | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 395 | 19,864 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 46.8 | 81.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -3% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 8,447 | 243,875 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Highworth was highest in the year to July 2019 (577 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (357). Over the whole period it fell 10%, 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 | 395 | 46.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 407 | 48.2 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 357 | 42.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 464 | 54.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 504 | 59.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 466 | 55.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 428 | 50.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 577 | 68.3 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 439 | 52.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 36 |
| June 2026 | 17 |
| May 2026 | 42 |
| April 2026 | 45 |
| March 2026 | 26 |
| February 2026 | 39 |
| January 2026 | 37 |
| December 2025 | 32 |
| November 2025 | 29 |
| October 2025 | 35 |
| September 2025 | 28 |
| August 2025 | 29 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Highworth 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. The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-42%) and anti-social behaviour (-32%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 163 | 19.3 | 0.56 | +4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 58 | 6.9 | 0.45 | -32% |
| Shoplifting | 36 | 4.3 | 0.51 | +260% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 34 | 4.0 | 0.59 | -15% |
| Public order | 32 | 3.8 | 0.57 | -18% |
| Other theft | 24 | 2.8 | 0.44 | +50% |
| Vehicle crime | 15 | 1.8 | 0.36 | -42% |
| Burglary | 13 | 1.5 | 0.44 | -19% |
| Other crime | 10 | 1.2 | 0.56 | -9% |
| Drugs | 7 | 0.8 | 0.25 | +75% |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.1 | 0.12 | -67% |
| Robbery | 1 | 0.1 | 0.09 | +0% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.1 | 0.07 | n/a |
Violence and sexual offences in Highworth
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Highworth recorded 163 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (19.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 41.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Highworth
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Highworth recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 14.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Highworth
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Highworth recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 260% on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Highworth
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Highworth recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 8.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Highworth
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Highworth recorded 32 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Highworth
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Highworth recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Highworth
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Highworth recorded 15 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 42% on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Highworth
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Highworth recorded 13 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 19% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Highworth
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Highworth recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Highworth
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Highworth recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 75% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Highworth
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Highworth recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Highworth
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Highworth 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Highworth
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Highworth 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 with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Highworth, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Highworth.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Highworth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrivenham and Watchfield | 329 | 45.0 | -4% |
| Stratton St Margaret | 1,268 | 61.8 | +32% |
| Broad Blunsdon | 365 | 47.8 | +2% |
| Faringdon | 701 | 67.5 | +44% |
| Swindon (Swindon) | 16,566 | 86.8 | +86% |
| Cricklade | 251 | 47.7 | +2% |
| Wroughton | 529 | 55.2 | +18% |
| Royal Wootton Bassett | 776 | 56.5 | +21% |
1 areas within Highworth, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Blunsdon and Highworth had the highest rate (60.1 per 1,000) and Blunsdon and Highworth the lowest (60.1). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blunsdon and Highworth | Neighbourhood | 12,068 | 725 | 60.1 |
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 Highworth over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Blandford Alley | 28 |
| On or near Edencroft | 21 |
| On or near Turnpike Road | 20 |
| On or near Barra Close | 17 |
| On or near High Street | 17 |
| On or near Vorda Road | 17 |
| On or near Sheep Street | 14 |
| On or near Newburgh Place | 13 |
| On or near Sevenfields | 13 |
| On or near Downs View | 12 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Highworth 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 | 31.4% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 91 | 23.0% |
| Under investigation | 63 | 15.9% |
| Not recorded | 58 | 14.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 19 | 4.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 17 | 4.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 9 | 2.3% |
| Local resolution | 6 | 1.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 4 | 1.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.5% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 1 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.3% |
Highworth has an estimated population of 8,447. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Highworth sits in decile 6.6, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Highworth |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 55.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 29.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 72.6% |
| Social rented homes | 14.3% |
| Private rented homes | 12.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.6 |
Is Highworth a safe place to live?
Highworth recorded 46.8 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 Highworth?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 163 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (58).
Is crime in Highworth going up or down?
Recorded crime in Highworth was down 3% on the year before: 395 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 407 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Highworth?
Highworth 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 Highworth. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.