Melksham Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Melksham’s November 2024 crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents places it 27.6% below the UK average, a figure that underscores the area’s generally lower crime profile compared to national benchmarks. The breakdown of crimes reveals a mix of violent and property-related incidents, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 33.7% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (21.8%) and shoplifting (16.8%). This distribution aligns with patterns observed in medium-sized built-up areas where community dynamics and local infrastructure shape crime trends. The seasonal context of November—marked by the transition to shorter days, the Black Friday shopping period, and the Bonfire Night celebrations—likely influenced the types and frequencies of crimes recorded. For instance, the spike in shoplifting may reflect increased foot traffic during the post-Black Friday sales period, while the decline in burglary could be attributed to heightened police patrols or community-led initiatives. However, the rise in anti-social behaviour incidents, which are 8% above the UK average, suggests localized pressures that warrant further investigation. These findings highlight the combination of seasonal events and the area’s unique socio-economic fabric, which includes a mix of residential, retail, and agricultural activities. As the year progresses, continued monitoring of these trends will be essential to understanding how Melksham’s crime profile evolves in response to both local and national factors.

November 2024 saw a dramatic 183.3% increase in shoplifting incidents, rising from six to 17 cases. This sharp rise likely corresponds to the Black Friday shopping period, which typically sees a spike in retail-related crimes. Conversely, burglary rates fell by 85.7%, dropping from seven to one incident—a trend that may reflect heightened community vigilance or seasonal deterrence factors. The violence and sexual offences category, accounting for 33.7% of all crimes, remained 26% below the UK average, a consistent pattern for Melksham that may be influenced by its smaller, more closely knit community structure. Anti-social behaviour incidents rose by 8% above the UK average, suggesting localized pressures that require further attention. These shifts highlight the area’s unique balance between seasonal crime drivers and its distinct demographic profile.

Melksham's crime rate in November 2024 fell to 5.5 per 1,000 residents, a 15.1% drop from the previous month's 6.5 per 1,000. This decline aligns with a broader seasonal trend observed in similar rural-urban hybrids, where crime typically eases as daylight hours shorten and retail activity shifts. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately three crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for local residents. Over the course of November, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 182 residents, a monthly exposure rate that remains lower than the UK average. This statistic, when scaled to the area’s population of 18,403, illustrates that the vast majority of residents remain unaffected by crime on a daily basis. The reduction in burglary and public order offences, coupled with the rise in shoplifting, suggests a shift in criminal activity patterns that may reflect seasonal retail dynamics rather than a systemic change in community safety.