Melksham Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Melksham, 5.3 crimes were recorded in August 2024 — a figure that places the area 35.4% below the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. This translates to a daily risk profile where a resident faces a 1-in-188 chance of experiencing a reported crime over the course of the month. The most common crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41.8% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (21.4%) and public order offences (9.2%). These figures suggest a local environment where interpersonal conflicts and disorderly conduct dominate the crime profile. August, as a peak holiday month, likely contributes to this pattern: increased tourism and seasonal absences may amplify risks for certain crimes. For example, the 38% lower burglary rate compared to the UK average (0.2 vs 0.3 per 1,000) could partly reflect the town's compact built-up area, where vacant homes are fewer than in larger, more dispersed communities. Meanwhile, the 72% lower shoplifting rate (0.2 vs 0.7 per 1,000) may indicate fewer high-footfall retail spaces compared to urban centres. This per-capita perspective highlights that while Melksham's overall crime rate is significantly lower than the UK average, residents still face a measurable, albeit modest, daily risk that warrants attention to local patterns.

August 2024 saw notable fluctuations in specific crime categories. Drug-related offences doubled from zero to two incidents, marking a 100% increase — a shift that may reflect seasonal changes in local social dynamics. Similarly, theft from the person and possession of weapons both rose from zero to one incident each, indicating emerging concerns in these areas. Conversely, other theft and other crime categories fell sharply by 85.7% and 75.0% respectively, suggesting a temporary reduction in opportunistic crimes. The crime mix also shifted: while violence and sexual offences remained the largest category (41.8% of total crimes), their rate was 18% below the UK average (2.2 vs 2.7 per 1,000). This divergence highlights Melksham's unique profile: despite high violence rates locally, the town's overall crime picture is still 35.4% below the UK average. For residents, the most immediately relevant finding is the 72% lower shoplifting rate compared to the UK average — a figure that may help inform shopping habits or local business security measures.

Melksham's August 2024 crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents represents a 30.4% decrease from the previous month's rate of 7.7 per 1,000. This decline aligns with typical August patterns in small towns, where school holidays and summer vacations may reduce foot traffic in certain areas. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 3 crimes per day in August — a figure that, while seemingly low, reflects the town's small population of 18,403. Over the course of the month, 1 reported crime occurred for roughly every 188 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is 35.4% lower than the UK average. This statistic underscores Melksham's relatively safe environment compared to national trends, though it also highlights the importance of context: the 1-in-188 ratio is a monthly aggregate, not a daily frequency. When considering population scale, the town's lower crime rate may partly stem from its compact built-up area, where community cohesion and limited spatial dispersion could reduce opportunities for certain crimes. However, the 38% lower burglary rate compared to the UK average (0.2 vs 0.3 per 1,000) suggests that even in a small town, seasonal factors like August's peak holiday period may still create unique risks for property crimes.