Melksham Crime Rate

About Melksham

Melksham reports an overall crime rate of 67.7 per 1,000 people per year, which is significantly lower than the national average of 93.1 per 1,000. The town boasts a strong safety score of 84 out of 100, surpassing the UK average of 78, indicating a relatively secure environment. Over the last year, Melksham has experienced a decreasing crime trend, with a notable drop of 8.9% year-over-year. These figures provide a clear overview of the current crime landscape within this urban settlement.

Crime Breakdown in Melksham

An examination of crime types in Melksham reveals that Violence and sexual offences are the most common, accounting for 38.0% of all crimes, at a rate of 25.7 per 1,000 people. Anti-social behaviour follows as the second most prevalent, representing 20.2% of offences (13.6 per 1,000), with Criminal damage and arson ranking third at 8.0% (5.4 per 1,000). These three categories collectively highlight key areas of criminal activity within the town.

Property-related crime in Melksham, which includes incidents such as burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, stands at 19.2 per 1,000 people. This is substantially lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.9 per 1,000. Specific figures show burglary at 1.9 per 1,000, vehicle crime at 2.1 per 1,000, and other theft at 3.2 per 1,000. Shoplifting also contributes significantly to this category. For residents and homeowners, these statistics suggest a comparatively lower risk of property-related offences, although general vigilance remains a sensible precaution.

Crime Trends in Melksham

Melksham has experienced a decreasing crime trend over the past year, with a notable drop of 8.9% year-over-year. This indicates a positive improvement in overall crime levels. Monthly data shows the crime rate per 1,000 people starting at 5.5 in November 2024 and generally fluctuating downwards. After a dip to 3.4 in January 2025, rates varied, peaking at 7.6 in July 2025 before declining to 5.2 in October. Despite the mid-year peak, the overarching trend for Melksham is one of improvement, suggesting a safer environment for its residents compared to the previous year.

How To Keep Safe in Melksham

With Violence and sexual offences being the most prevalent crime type in Melksham, focusing on personal safety and awareness is key for residents. While the town's safety score is good, taking simple precautions can further enhance your security.

1. Be alert in social settings: When out and about, especially in pubs or clubs, be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption that might impair your judgement.
2. Secure your personal space: If you are at home, ensure your doors and windows are locked, even if you are just stepping out for a short time. Good home security is a deterrent.
3. Travel with care: If you are walking alone at night, stick to well-lit and familiar routes. Consider carrying a personal safety alarm for emergencies.
4. Trust your instincts: If a situation or person makes you feel uneasy, remove yourself from the situation. Reporting suspicious behaviour to the police can help keep the community safe.

Crime Time Patterns in Melksham

Crime in Melksham exhibits specific patterns throughout the day and week, reflecting typical urban dynamics. Generally, the early morning hours (12 am - 5 am) show the lowest crime intensity, with activity gradually increasing as the town awakens. During morning commutes and business hours, crime rates rise to a moderate level, becoming more apparent by mid-morning.

The afternoon period (12 pm - 5 pm) often experiences heightened crime activity, correlating with increased foot traffic in commercial areas and properties being left unattended. Evenings (6 pm - 11 pm) tend to represent a peak for certain types of offences, especially those associated with social gatherings and nightlife, before gradually subsiding in the late hours. Weekends, particularly Friday and Saturday evenings, typically show the highest overall crime intensity. These trends provide valuable insights for residents to adapt their security measures and personal awareness throughout the day and week.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

To provide regional context, Melksham's crime rate of 67.7 per 1,000 people can be compared with neighbouring areas. Bowerhill reports a significantly lower crime rate of 29.3 per 1,000 people per year. Beanacre, Berryfield, and Shaw (Wiltshire) are all listed with a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 people per year. These significantly lower or zero reported rates may reflect different data collection or reporting methodologies, or genuinely very low incident levels in these smaller settlements. This comparison highlights that while Melksham's crime rate is considerably lower than the national average, some of its immediate, more rural neighbours experience fewer reported crimes.

Proactive Home Security in Melksham

With Melksham's property crime rate at 19.2 per 1,000 people, residents can significantly enhance their safety with robust home security. Traditional security systems often provide valuable footage after an incident, but they don't prevent the initial intrusion. For genuine peace of mind and proactive protection, advanced security solutions are highly effective.

scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, is designed to prevent crime before it happens. Its core strength lies in proactive detection at the property boundary, identifying threats before an intruder can gain entry. Unlike basic cameras, scOS utilises multi-camera intelligence to monitor all areas simultaneously, ensuring comprehensive coverage. It also incorporates DVLA vehicle verification, instantly catching fake plates, and learns your family's routines to only alert on genuine threats. Should an intrusion attempt occur, scOS provides an autonomous response, activating lights and engaging speakers to eliminate the element of surprise and deter the offender. This proactive deterrence is crucial, as most burglars decide whether to proceed within 60 seconds. Professional-grade security like scOS offers a significant advantage over reactive systems, ensuring your Melksham home is protected proactively.