Melksham Crime Rate

About Melksham

Melksham presents a detailed picture of crime statistics, with an overall crime rate of 69.0 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure is notably below the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000, suggesting a comparatively safer environment. The area boasts a safety score of 84 out of 100, exceeding the national average of 78. Over the past year, crime trends in Melksham have been decreasing, showing a -5.7% change. This data provides a foundational understanding for residents and prospective movers, offering context before delving into specific crime categories and patterns.

Crime Breakdown in Melksham

An analysis of crime types in Melksham reveals that Violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant category, accounting for 37.8% of all reported crimes, at a rate of 26.1 per 1,000 people. Anti-social behaviour follows, representing 21.0% of the total with 14.5 incidents per 1,000 residents. Criminal damage and arson ranks as the third most prevalent, making up 8.1% of crimes at 5.6 per 1,000. When considering overall property-related crime, which encompasses burglary, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, Melksham records a rate of 19.5 per 1,000 people per year. This is considerably lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. For residents and homeowners, understanding these figures means being aware of the most common issues while recognising that property crime rates are relatively low, offering a degree of reassurance.

Crime Trends in Melksham

Crime trends in Melksham have been decreasing over the past year, with a -5.7% decrease year-over-year. Looking at the monthly data, the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated, starting at 6.5 in October 2024 and generally remaining within the 3.4 to 7.6 range. Notable peaks were observed in July 2025 (7.6) and May 2025 (6.9), while January 2025 saw the lowest rate at 3.4. This decreasing trend suggests a positive shift in the crime landscape, providing a more secure environment for residents. It indicates that while minor monthly variations occur, the broader picture for Melksham shows a downward trajectory, offering reassurance regarding personal and property security.

Time Patterns of Crime in Melksham

Crime in Melksham exhibits distinct patterns throughout the day. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are often characterised by a significant proportion of theft and 'Other' crime, suggesting activity as businesses open and people begin their daily routines. In the afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft continues to be prevalent, alongside 'Other' crime, likely influenced by peak shopping hours and increased public presence. As the evening approaches (6pm-12am), 'Other' crime becomes the most dominant category, followed by theft, reflecting shifts in social activity and potential vulnerabilities. During the night (12am-6am), 'Other' crime and vehicle crime are more pronounced, indicating opportunistic offences under the cover of darkness and when vehicles are left unattended.

Crime in Nearby Areas

When considering Melksham in a regional context, comparisons with neighbouring areas provide valuable insight. Bowerhill, for instance, often presents a different rural dynamic. Beanacre, located to the south, shares some rural characteristics but may differ in specific crime patterns. Berryfield, with its distinct rural appeal, will naturally exhibit varied crime profiles. Shaw (Wiltshire), another nearby village, offers a further point of comparison. These comparisons help residents and those looking to move to Melksham understand its relative position within the broader regional safety landscape.

Protecting Your Home in Melksham

Given Melksham's property crime rate of 19.5 per 1,000 people, which is well below the national average, residents may still benefit from robust home security measures. It is important to remember that traditional CCTV systems often only provide footage after an incident has occurred, essentially recording a burglary rather than preventing it. For those seeking genuine peace of mind and proactive protection, advanced solutions like scOS offer a different approach. This AI-powered home security operating system is designed to detect threats at the property boundary, intervening in real-time before a break-in can happen.

The core benefit lies in prevention over mere reaction. While DIY systems can notify you after the fact, scOS leverages multi-camera intelligence to watch all cameras simultaneously, learning your routines and only alerting on real threats. This proactive deterrence is crucial, as most burglars make a decision within 60 seconds of approaching a property. A visible and intelligent system like scOS, with its autonomous responses like activating lights and engaging speakers, aims to destroy the element of surprise and encourage potential intruders to move on. If you are looking for professional-grade equipment that signals serious protection and actively stops threats at your property line, rather than just documenting them, exploring proactive AI security is a sensible step.