Bath and North East Somerset Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Bath and North East Somerset continues to demonstrate a crime profile markedly safer than the UK average, with a rate of 6.9 per 1,000 residents in May 2025 — 14.8% below the national figure of 8.1. This consistency reflects the area’s character as a historic town with a strong community presence, where violent crime remains lower than in more densely populated urban centres. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 38.6% of all crimes, a category that saw a 7.9% increase month-on-month, likely influenced by May’s extended evenings and bank holidays, which may have encouraged more outdoor socialising. Shoplifting emerged as the second most common offence, contributing 14.5% of total crimes, with a 9.3% rise from April. This aligns with the area’s retail presence, particularly in the town centre, where foot traffic during peak shopping periods could drive such activity. Anti-social behaviour, at 14.4% of total crimes, remained below the UK average by 30%, suggesting effective community engagement or policing strategies in quieter residential areas. Seasonal factors in May — including warmer weather and longer daylight hours — may have shifted crime patterns, with public order offences rising 21% above the UK average. However, the overall stability in crime rates indicates that local initiatives to manage public spaces and retail environments are maintaining a relatively low-risk environment for residents.

May 2025 saw a 7.9% increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from 494 to 533 incidents. This uptick, though modest, may be linked to May’s bank holidays and extended evenings, which could have increased opportunities for such crimes in public spaces. Shoplifting also rose sharply by 9.3%, with 200 incidents reported — a 49% increase above the UK average for this category. This suggests that retail areas, particularly during peak shopping periods, may require heightened vigilance. Conversely, several categories showed significant declines: possession of weapons fell 77.8% (from 9 to 2 cases), other crime dropped 56.7% (30 to 13), and vehicle crime decreased 41.2% (34 to 20). These drops may reflect successful targeted policing or seasonal factors, with fewer vehicle-related crimes during the warmer months. Bath and North East Somerset’s performance in categories like burglary (29% below UK average) and drug offences (64% below) highlights a broader trend of lower-risk environments compared to national benchmarks, due to the area’s relatively low population density and strong community networks.

Bath and North East Somerset’s crime rate in May 2025 remained stable compared to April, declining just 1.4% from the previous month’s rate of 7.0 per 1,000. This minor fluctuation suggests a broadly consistent crime environment, with no dramatic shifts in reported incidents. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 45 crimes per day — a figure that, while indicative of local activity, remains lower than many comparable urban centres. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 145 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of incidents in a population of 200,028. This statistic provides context for residents: the likelihood of encountering crime in their daily lives is significantly lower than in areas with higher rates. The area’s performance in categories like vehicle crime (75% below UK average) and burglary (29% below) further reinforces its status as a safer environment compared to national trends. These figures, when considered alongside the local population’s characteristics — a mix of historic town centre activity and suburban residential areas — suggest that targeted community policing and environmental design may be contributing to sustained low crime levels.