Melbourne (South Derbyshire) Crime Rate

Melbourne (South Derbyshire) is a highly desirable and secure market town with an overall crime rate of 44.2 per 1,000 residents. This figure is significantly below the UK national average of 93.1, contributing to Melbourne's excellent safety score of 89/100. The crime trend in Melbourne is currently classified as stable, with a minor 4.4% increase year-over-year, which is typical for a small, active community. With its 5,345 residents, Melbourne maintains a peaceful residential character while offering a high standard of safety. The following data provides a comprehensive look at the crime types, time patterns, and trends that define the local environment, offering valuable insights for residents and visitors alike.

Crime Breakdown in Melbourne (South Derbyshire)

Melbourne's crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 40.2% of total recorded incidents (17.8 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent category at 19.9%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 8.5%. These figures are typical for a well-established residential and social hub, where public interaction is high.

Property crime in Melbourne, including burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and criminal damage, occurs at a combined rate of 12.0 per 1,000 people. Within this group, other theft (7.2%) and criminal damage (8.5%) are the most common. Both burglary and vehicle crime are relatively infrequent, each accounting for 4.2% of total crime, or approximately 1.9 incidents per 1,000 residents.

For homeowners, Melbourne offers a high degree of security. The burglary rate is significantly lower than the UK average, and the overall property crime rate is modest. However, the prevalence of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage suggests that low-level nuisance and opportunistic damage are the primary day-to-day concerns. Maintaining visible security measures and community engagement is key to mitigating these risks in such a high-safety environment.

Crime Trends in Melbourne (South Derbyshire)

Melbourne's crime trend is currently classified as stable, with a minor 4.4% increase in total recorded incidents year-over-year. This small change is common in low-crime areas and does not indicate a significant shift in the town's overall safety.

Monthly data shows that crime rates fluctuated throughout 2025, starting at 2.1 in late 2024 and reaching a peak of 5.4 in May 2025. This spring surge is a typical seasonal pattern. However, the rate dropped back to 2.6 in June and remained between 3.0 and 4.7 for the rest of the year. This suggests that while Melbourne experiences occasional spikes in activity, the long-term safety of the town remains consistently high. Residents can remain confident in Melbourne's status as one of the safer settlements in South Derbyshire.

How To Keep Safe in Melbourne (South Derbyshire)

The most common crime in Melbourne is violence and sexual offences. To stay safe, it is advised to remain aware of your surroundings, particularly during the evening hours when social activity is higher. Stick to well-lit paths and avoid walking alone in secluded areas.

Anti-social behaviour is also a notable factor in Melbourne. Residents can support a safe community by reporting any recurring issues to the local council and engaging with community groups that promote local wellbeing.

Regarding property safety, the data shows that burglary and vehicle crime are most likely to occur at night. Ensure your home is securely locked and that vehicles are parked in a garage or well-lit driveway whenever possible. Using motion-activated lighting can be a highly effective way to deter opportunistic thieves during the early morning hours. Additionally, keeping high-value items out of sight from windows and using timer switches for lights when you are away can help maintain a lived-in appearance, further reducing the risk of opportunistic crime.

Crime Time Patterns in Melbourne

Crime in Melbourne exhibits clear temporal trends. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the dominant crime type, accounting for 52% of afternoon offences. This suggests that the town's daytime commercial and residential activity is the primary window for opportunistic theft.

As the day transitions to night, the focus of crime shifts towards property and vehicles. Between 12am and 6am, vehicle crime accounts for 36% of all incidents, and burglary reaches its peak at 23%. This indicates that while the town is quiet, unattended vehicles and homes are at their highest risk. Residents should take extra care to secure their property before nightfall, as the early morning hours are the primary time for invasive crimes in Melbourne. By contrast, evening hours (6pm-12am) see a rise in 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 44% of activity during that period.

Melbourne is situated in a very low-crime part of South Derbyshire. When compared to the larger urban area of Swadlincote (88.4), Melbourne is significantly safer. It also compares favourably to Breedon on the Hill (115.1), which has a much higher crime rate. Neighbouring villages like Stanton by Bridge, Weston-on-Trent, and Ticknall show virtually no recorded crime (0.0), highlighting the exceptionally safe nature of the immediate rural corridor. For those seeking a town with a strong community feel and high safety standards, Melbourne is one of the premier choices in the region.

Proactive Home Security in Melbourne

Melbourne's low property crime rate of 12.0 per 1,000 is a testament to the town's safety, but it doesn't mean residents should be complacent. In an area where criminal damage and theft are the primary property-related concerns, traditional reactive security like basic CCTV often falls short. These systems typically only record a crime as it happens, providing evidence but failing to prevent the incident or the resulting distress.

scOS offers a modern, proactive approach to home protection. As an AI-powered operating system, scOS monitors your property boundaries in real-time. It is designed to identify potential threats before they reach your home, allowing for autonomous intervention. By triggering lights or audio warnings, scOS can deter an intruder before they have the chance to commit a crime.

For Melbourne homeowners, scOS provides a sophisticated security layer that respects the town's character while providing professional-grade protection. With features like multi-camera intelligence and pattern learning, scOS minimises false alarms and ensures that your home remains a secure haven. Choosing proactive protection is the most effective way to maintain Melbourne's high safety standards for your own property.