Bath Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In December 2025, Bath recorded 891 crimes across its built-up area, translating to a crime rate of 9.3 per 1,000 residents. This figure places the city 32.9% above the UK average of 7.0, highlighting a persistent challenge in maintaining public safety. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences (37% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (15.3%) and shoplifting (12.8%). These patterns are consistent with Bath's identity as a historic tourist destination and university city, where high foot traffic, seasonal shopping peaks, and dark winter evenings may contribute to elevated rates of violent crime and anti-social conduct. The surge in shoplifting, 111% above the UK average, aligns with the city's retail presence and the Christmas shopping season, which likely increases opportunities for such offences. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour's 51% above the UK average may be linked to the city's compact urban layout, where noise and public disturbances are more concentrated. The seasonal context of December—marked by long nights, festive crowds, and empty homes during the holiday period—likely amplifies these trends. Violent crime, at 3.4 per 1,000, is 32% above the UK average, a figure that may reflect the convergence of students, tourists, and local residents in Bath's town centre during the festive season. While the city's property crime rate is lower than the UK average for vehicle crime (46% below), it remains significantly higher for shoplifting and theft from the person, underscoring the need for targeted interventions in retail and public spaces.

December 2025 saw a 300% increase in bicycle theft, rising from 2 to 8 incidents, a stark contrast to the UK average where bicycle theft remains stable. This spike may partly explain by the influx of tourists and students during the festive season, who may leave bikes unsecured in historic areas. Meanwhile, drug-related crimes rose by 62.5%, from 8 to 13, a trend that diverges from the UK average where drug offences are 63% lower. This could signal a shift in local patterns, though no definitive causal link is established. Conversely, burglary fell by 43.6%, from 55 to 31, due to increased holiday security measures in homes and businesses. Vehicle crime also decreased by 33.3%, a 46% reduction below the UK average, which may reflect the city's compact layout and limited parking for vehicles. The most alarming rise was in theft from the person, which jumped 60%, from 5 to 8, a figure that remains 33% below the UK average, suggesting targeted policing in high-traffic zones may have mitigated broader risks.

Bath's December 2025 crime rate of 9.3 per 1,000 residents marks a 6.4% decrease from November's 9.9, reflecting a slight easing in overall criminal activity. This reduction, though modest, aligns with seasonal patterns as holiday-related crimes often peak in late November and early December, followed by a dip as festive activities shift into full swing. The daily crime count in December averaged 29 incidents, a figure that translates to roughly one reported crime for every 108 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible measure of risk for local residents, placing Bath's experience in context with its population of 96,241. While the area's crime rate remains higher than the UK average, the month-on-month decline suggests potential stability in enforcement efforts or community engagement strategies, though further analysis is required to confirm this trend. The contrast between Bath's figures and the UK average underscores the city's unique challenges, particularly in violent crime and anti-social behaviour, which demand targeted interventions.