Swindon (Cheltenham) Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Swindon (Cheltenham)

Swindon (Cheltenham), a built-up area with a population of 1,428, currently faces a significantly high overall crime rate of 407.6 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is substantially higher than the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000 residents. The area's safety is reflected in a low safety score of 32 out of 100, which is considerably below the UK average of 78. Property crime in Swindon (Cheltenham) is also exceptionally high, standing at 261.9 per 1,000 people per year, compared to the national average of 33.2 per 1,000. Furthermore, the crime trend in the area is increasing, with a notable rise of 20.2% year-over-year. This introduction highlights the significant challenges and considerations for safety within Swindon (Cheltenham).

Crime Type Analysis in Swindon (Cheltenham)

The crime breakdown in Swindon (Cheltenham) reveals a highly concentrated pattern, with Shoplifting being the overwhelmingly dominant crime type. There were 275 incidents of shoplifting, equating to an extraordinary 192.6 per 1,000 residents and an alarming 47.2% of all reported crimes. Anti-social behaviour ranks as the second most frequent, with 82 incidents (57.4 per 1,000, 14.1% of total), followed by Violence and sexual offences, with 66 incidents (46.2 per 1,000, 11.3% of total). This intense focus on shoplifting suggests a significant commercial or retail presence vulnerable to this type of offence.

Property-related crime in Swindon (Cheltenham), encompassing burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, stands at an exceptionally high 261.9 per 1,000 people per year. This category includes 12 burglaries (8.4 per 1,000), 14 vehicle crimes (9.8 per 1,000), and 34 other theft incidents (23.8 per 1,000), in addition to the substantial shoplifting figures. The very high property crime rate underscores the critical need for robust security measures for both businesses and residents within the area.

Crime Trends in Swindon (Cheltenham)

Swindon (Cheltenham) has experienced a concerning increasing crime trend, with a significant rise of 20.2% year-over-year. This indicates a substantial increase in the total number of reported crimes compared to the previous 12-month period. Analysing the monthly crime rate data reveals considerable fluctuations and spikes. For instance, the crime rate per 1,000 residents reached a high of 57.4 in April 2025 and 49.0 in May 2025, after a lower point of 20.3 in February 2025. While there was a drop towards the end of the period, with September 2025 at 25.2 per 1,000, the overall trajectory is one of growth. These increasing trends suggest ongoing challenges and highlight the importance of proactive safety measures for residents and businesses in Swindon (Cheltenham).

Understanding Crime Time Patterns in Swindon (Cheltenham)

Crime time patterns in Swindon (Cheltenham) are heavily influenced by the area's high shoplifting rates. Morning hours (6am - 12pm) are dominated by theft (55%), with vehicle crime (11%) and 'other' crimes (27%) also present, and some burglary (8%). This indicates a peak in commercial area vulnerability during opening hours. The afternoon period (12pm - 6pm) continues to show a very high rate of theft (55%), along with an increased presence of burglary (13%), while vehicle crime is lower (4%). This pattern aligns with peak shopping and business hours.

In the evening (6pm - 12am), 'other' crimes become the most significant category (53%), with theft reducing (24%) but still substantial. Vehicle crime (11%) and burglary (12%) remain present. This shift suggests a change in criminal focus as commercial areas close and residential areas become more active. Night-time hours (12am - 6am) are characterised by vehicle crime (33%) and 'other' offences (35%), with burglary (18%) still a concern and theft at its lowest (14%). This highlights overnight risks to vehicles and unattended properties.

Regional Crime Context: Swindon (Cheltenham) and Nearby Areas

Swindon (Cheltenham)'s extraordinarily high crime rate of 407.6 per 1,000 stands in stark contrast to its neighbouring areas, providing crucial regional context. The main urban area of Cheltenham, for example, has a significantly lower crime rate, highlighting the specific challenges within Swindon (Cheltenham). Similarly, areas like Bishop's Cleeve and Stoke Orchard, often more residential or rural, typically report much lower crime figures. Even Prestbury (Cheltenham), another built-up area, exhibits a dramatically lower crime rate. Comparisons with Southam (Tewkesbury) would also show Swindon (Cheltenham) as an outlier. This disparity underscores that the crime issues in Swindon (Cheltenham) are particularly localised and intense, especially concerning property-related offences like shoplifting.

Enhancing Property Protection in Swindon (Cheltenham)

Given Swindon (Cheltenham)'s exceptionally high property crime rate of 261.9 per 1,000 people per year, particularly with shoplifting being a major concern, robust security is not just advisable but essential. Traditional security solutions, such as basic CCTV cameras, often only provide footage after a crime has occurred, offering little in the way of real-time prevention. For instance, while a Ring or Nest camera might record a shoplifting incident, it won't actively stop it.

For businesses and residents in Swindon (Cheltenham) seeking to actively prevent crime, an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS offers a transformative approach. Designed for proactive protection, scOS detects threats at the property boundary, intervening before an intrusion can occur. Its multi-camera intelligence ensures no blind spots, watching all cameras simultaneously, and features like DVLA vehicle verification can quickly identify suspicious vehicles. By learning your routines, scOS intelligently filters out non-threats, ensuring you only receive alerts for genuine risks. The system's autonomous response, which includes activating lights and engaging speakers, is engineered to destroy the element of surprise and deter potential criminals within their critical 60-second decision window. While DIY systems can offer some basic monitoring, professional-grade deterrence like scOS provides a powerful and intelligent defence against the significant property crime challenges faced in Swindon (Cheltenham).