Great Malvern Crime Rate

Great Malvern Crime Overview

Great Malvern is a safe and well-regarded urban settlement, featuring an overall crime rate of 77.4 per 1,000 residents. This is comfortably below the UK average of 93.1, contributing to an impressive safety score of 83/100. The crime trend in the area is stable, with a minor 2.6% increase year-over-year. As the commercial heart of the Malvern Hills district, the town sees a typical mix of urban crime types but remains significantly more secure than many similar-sized towns across the UK. For residents, these figures provide reassurance of a safe community environment.

Crime in Great Malvern

In Great Malvern, violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported incidents, making up 34.7% of total crime with a rate of 26.9 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour (17.7%) and shoplifting (12.6%) are the next most significant categories. The high shoplifting rate is typical for a built-up area with a busy town centre and retail presence.

Property crime in Great Malvern—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and shoplifting—is 27.1 per 1,000 people. This is lower than the UK average of 32.9. Burglary accounts for 4.3% of total crime (3.3 per 1,000), while vehicle crime is relatively low at 2.2%. For residents, this suggests that while the town centre sees its share of retail theft and anti-social behaviour, the risk to residential properties remains below national norms. Homeowners should be particularly aware of opportunistic theft and burglary, which, while not rampant, are consistent factors in the local crime profile. Proactive security is recommended to maintain the town's high safety score.

Great Malvern Crime Trends

Crime in Great Malvern has remained stable over the last year, showing a modest 2.6% increase. Monthly data indicates that crime peaked in July 2025 at a rate of 7.7 per 1,000, with other highs in April (7.3) and March (7.0). The quietest period was recorded in December 2024, with a rate of 5.3 per 1,000. This pattern suggests that criminal activity increases during the spring and summer months, potentially linked to higher footfall in the town centre. Overall, the trend is consistent with a safe, stable urban environment.

How To Keep Safe in Great Malvern

The most common crime in Great Malvern is violence and sexual offences, often occurring in public or commercial spaces. Taking simple precautions can help maintain your personal safety.

1. When walking through the town centre at night, stay on well-lit main streets and avoid unlit shortcuts.
2. Be vigilant in retail areas, as shoplifting and associated anti-social behaviour are more common in these locations.
3. If you are a business owner, consider professional-grade security to deter the opportunistic theft that contributes to local shoplifting stats.
4. Ensure your vehicle is locked and no valuables are left on display, especially when parked near the town centre or railway stations.
5. Report any suspicious behaviour or anti-social activity to the local police to help them manage the town's safety effectively.

Great Malvern Crime Patterns

Crime in Great Malvern follows a distinct temporal pattern. The morning and afternoon periods are dominated by theft and shoplifting, which together account for roughly 50% of all incidents during these times. This aligns with the town's retail hours and commercial activity. As the day progresses into the evening, the nature of crime shifts significantly; theft drops to 21%, while 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, rise to 50%.

The night-time period (12am-6am) presents a different risk profile. While overall volume may be lower, the proportion of burglary (28%) and vehicle crime (22%) peaks during these hours. This suggests that while daytime crime is largely commercial, night-time crime is more focused on residential and unattended property. Homeowners should ensure their properties are well-secured overnight, as this is when the risk of break-ins and vehicle-related offences is statistically highest.

Local Context and Comparisons

In the local context of the Malvern Hills, Great Malvern has a higher crime rate than its more rural neighbours. Its rate of 77.4 compares to 46.8 in Malvern Wells, 32.4 in Hanley Swan, and 26.1 in Colwall Stone. Leigh Sinton has reported zero crime in recent data. This difference is expected, as Great Malvern serves as the primary retail and transport hub for the area, naturally attracting more transient activity. However, even with this urban profile, Great Malvern remains much safer than the national average.

Proactive Home Security in Great Malvern

With property crime in Great Malvern at 27.1 per 1,000 residents, homeowners should be mindful of opportunistic theft. Traditional security systems, like standard CCTV or doorbell cameras, are reactive—they record a burglary while it is happening. In a town like Great Malvern, where safety is high, the best approach is a system that prevents the crime from ever occurring.

scOS is a proactive AI security system that monitors your property's boundary in real-time. It uses multi-camera intelligence to distinguish between residents, pets, and potential threats. If an intruder is detected, scOS can autonomously trigger responses like activating lights or audio warnings, destroying the element of surprise before they reach your home. For Great Malvern residents, scOS offers a professional-grade alternative to DIY systems, focusing on prevention rather than just recording evidence. This proactive detection is key to maintaining a secure home in a busy urban area.