Crime in Melksham: statistics, rates and trends

1,335 crimes were recorded in Melksham in the 12 months to July 2026, 71.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 518 reports (39% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Melksham has the 754th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Melksham was highest in the year to July 2021 (1,551 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (1,252). Over the whole period it fell 6%, 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 Melksham 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 anti-social behaviour (+29%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-35%) and burglary (-10%).

Violence and sexual offences in Melksham

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Melksham recorded 518 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 38.8% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Melksham

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Melksham recorded 329 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 24.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Melksham

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Melksham recorded 106 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Melksham

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Melksham recorded 88 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Melksham

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Melksham recorded 88 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 almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Melksham

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Melksham recorded 55 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 4.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Melksham

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Melksham recorded 35 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Melksham

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Melksham recorded 33 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 35% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Melksham

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Melksham recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Melksham

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Melksham recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Melksham

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Melksham recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 47% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Melksham

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Melksham recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Melksham

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Melksham recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Melksham

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Melksham recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 71% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.

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

4 areas within Melksham, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Melksham South had the highest rate (92.4 per 1,000) and Melksham East the lowest (44.6). 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 Melksham over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Melksham 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.

Melksham has an estimated population of 18,559. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Melksham sits in decile 6.0, close to the middle. 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 Melksham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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