Crime in Malmesbury: statistics, rates and trends

369 crimes were recorded in Malmesbury in the 12 months to July 2026, 43.5 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 139 reports (38% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Malmesbury has the 1,255th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Malmesbury was highest in the year to July 2023 (446 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2020 (308). Over the whole period it rose 13%, 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 Malmesbury 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 increases were in criminal damage and arson (+36%) and public order (+16%).

The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-71%) and anti-social behaviour (-19%).

Violence and sexual offences in Malmesbury

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Malmesbury recorded 139 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 37.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Malmesbury

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Malmesbury recorded 59 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 16.0% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Malmesbury

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Malmesbury recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 122% on the year before. It made up 10.8% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Malmesbury

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Malmesbury recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 10.0% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Malmesbury

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Malmesbury 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 up 36% on the year before. It made up 9.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Malmesbury

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Malmesbury recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Malmesbury

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Malmesbury recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Malmesbury

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Malmesbury recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Malmesbury

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Malmesbury recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 71% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Malmesbury

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Malmesbury recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 33% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Malmesbury

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Malmesbury recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Malmesbury

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Malmesbury recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Malmesbury

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Malmesbury 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.

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

2 areas within Malmesbury, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Malmesbury had the highest rate (47.4 per 1,000) and Sherston the lowest (27.7). 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 Malmesbury over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Malmesbury 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.

Malmesbury has an estimated population of 8,482. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Malmesbury sits in decile 8.5, 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 Malmesbury. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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