Melton Crime Rate

Melton is a relatively safe borough with an overall crime rate of 71.5 per 1,000 people, which is notably lower than the UK average of 93.1. This is reflected in a solid safety score of 83/100, indicating a secure environment for residents and visitors. However, the area has seen a recent upward trend, with crime increasing by 9.2% year-over-year. While this growth warrants attention, the majority of offences remain concentrated in non-violent categories such as anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. For homeowners, the property crime rate is also lower than the national average, making Melton a desirable location for those seeking a balance of market town life and rural security. Staying informed about local trends is key to maintaining this safety.

About Melton

Melton is a borough in Leicestershire, primarily centered on the historic market town of Melton Mowbray. Known nationally as the "Rural Capital of Food," the area attracts a significant number of visitors to its markets, festivals, and local food heritage sites. This tourism, while vital for the economy, can influence crime statistics through opportunistic theft and anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

The district is largely rural, with a stable population and several smaller villages surrounding the main urban hub. The presence of the Holwell industrial area and various food manufacturing sites provides steady employment, contributing to a generally settled demographic. However, the borough's position as a regional market hub means it experiences higher crime rates than some of its more purely residential neighbours. The crime profile is a mix of urban-style offences in Melton Mowbray and rural-specific crimes, such as agricultural theft, in the outlying areas. Recent years have seen a notable increase in reported crime, which may be linked to both improved reporting and a rise in retail-related offences like shoplifting.

Crime in Melton

The crime landscape in Melton is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 37.0% of all reported incidents (1,428 crimes). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 12.8% and criminal damage and arson at 9.5%. These categories represent the bulk of police activity and are often concentrated in the borough's main urban areas.

Property crime in Melton—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—occurs at a rate of 25.7 per 1,000 people. While this is lower than the UK average of 32.9, it represents a significant portion of local crime. Within this category, shoplifting (8.2%) and other theft (7.0%) are prominent, reflecting the borough's role as a retail and market centre. Burglary and vehicle crime each account for approximately 5.1% and 5.0% of total crime respectively, with burglary occurring at a rate of 3.6 per 1,000 people. For residents, this means that while the borough is generally safe, property protection should focus on deterring opportunistic theft and vandalism, as well as securing homes against the moderate risk of burglary. Investing in visible security measures is a key strategy for maintaining property safety in the area.

Crime Trends in Melton

Melton is currently experiencing an upward trend in criminal activity, with a year-over-year increase of 9.2%. This rise suggests that the borough has become more active recently, though it still remains safer than the national average. According to the monthly trendData, the crime rate started at 6.2 per 1,000 in November 2024 and reached a peak of 7.0 in March 2025.

Following this spring peak, the rate saw some fluctuation but generally trended slightly downwards, ending the period at 5.4 in October 2025. This end-of-year decline is a positive sign, suggesting that the earlier spike may have been temporary. However, the overall 9.2% increase indicates that residents and business owners should remain vigilant and consider enhancing their security measures to adapt to this changing landscape. Monitoring these trends is essential for understanding the evolving safety profile of the Melton borough.

In the regional context of Leicestershire and its borders, Melton’s crime rate of 71.5 per 1,000 people is higher than its immediate neighbours based on current reporting. Nearby areas such as Rushcliffe, Charnwood, Rutland, South Kesteven, Leicester, and Nottingham are all currently reporting crime rates of 0.0 per 1,000. While these figures suggest that Melton is a more active hub than its surrounding districts, it remains significantly safer than the UK national average. As a primary market town, Melton naturally draws more recorded incidents than its more rural or less densely populated neighbours, yet it continues to offer a high standard of safety for the region.

Protecting Your Property in Melton

Melton's property crime rate is 25.7 per 1,000 residents, which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and criminal damage. While this is safer than many parts of the UK, the recent 9.2% increase in overall crime suggests that homeowners should be more vigilant. Traditional security measures, like basic CCTV or standard alarms, are often reactive—they record a crime as it happens or alert you after an entry. In a market town where opportunistic theft is a factor, proactive protection is a much more effective strategy.

The scOS operating system provides this by using AI to prevent crime before it starts. By monitoring your camera feeds simultaneously, scOS identifies potential threats at the property boundary. If an unauthorised person enters your grounds, the system can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting and audio warnings to scare them off. This "proactive vs reactive" approach is crucial; most burglars will move on if they are detected before they even reach a door. For Melton residents, scOS offers a professional-grade security solution that doesn't just give you footage of a burglary—it actively works to ensure the burglary never happens in the first place.

How To Keep Safe in Melton

The most common crime in Melton is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 37.0% of all reports. Personal safety and awareness in public spaces are important for maintaining the borough's high safety standards.

To stay safe in Melton, we recommend the following:

• When visiting Melton Mowbray town centre, especially during busy market days or evening events, stay mindful of your personal belongings to avoid opportunistic theft.
• Stick to well-lit, busy routes when walking at night, and try to travel with others whenever possible.
• With criminal damage and arson making up 9.5% of local crime, ensure your property is well-lit and that any side gates or outbuildings are securely locked.
• Business owners should be aware of the high shoplifting rate (8.2%) and consider implementing visible security measures and staff training to mitigate this risk.
• Report any instances of anti-social behaviour (12.8% of crime) to the local authorities, as this helps them allocate resources to the areas that need them most.