Keynsham Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

August 2023 marked an unexpected surge in anti-social behaviour in Keynsham, a built-up area within Bath and North East Somerset, where this category alone accounted for 29.3% of all crimes reported. This dramatic rise, from 22 to 49 incidents—a 122.7% increase—stood out as the most surprising finding of the month. The overall crime rate for Keynsham in August was 7.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 3.7% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. Despite this slight advantage, the composition of crimes told a different story. Anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences, and criminal damage and arson collectively dominated the crime profile, with the former two categories showing starkly different trends. Violence and sexual offences declined by 19.1%, from 47 to 38, a reduction that positioned Keynsham 32% below the UK average for this category. The seasonal context of August—peak holiday month, increased tourism, and a higher proportion of empty homes—may have influenced the surge in anti-social behaviour and burglary. The most common crimes were anti-social behaviour (29.3%), followed by violence and sexual offences (22.8%) and criminal damage and arson (10.2%). This mix contrasts with the UK average, where anti-social behaviour is significantly lower and violence and sexual offences are higher. The data also highlighted a 17% increase in shoplifting and a 27% rise in criminal damage and arson compared to UK averages, suggesting that local factors—such as retail activity or community events—may have played a role in shaping these trends. While Keynsham’s overall rate remains slightly below the UK average, the volatility in specific categories underscores the need for continued monitoring and tailored responses to emerging patterns.

August 2023 saw a dramatic 122.7% increase in anti-social behaviour, jumping from 22 to 49 incidents. This category alone accounted for nearly a third of all crimes reported, far exceeding the UK average by 60%. Such a sharp rise may be linked to summer holidays and increased foot traffic in the area. Meanwhile, violence and sexual offences fell by 19.1%, from 47 to 38, a decline that contrasts with the UK average, where this category is 32% higher. This decrease could reflect heightened community vigilance or seasonal shifts in criminal activity. Burglary also saw a striking 166.7% increase, rising from 3 to 8 incidents. This jump, combined with the seasonal context of August—peak holiday month and increased empty homes—suggests a potential correlation between property crime and temporary abandonment of homes. Residents may find the 1-in-128 monthly exposure rate a useful benchmark for understanding local risk, though it remains lower than the UK average for most categories.

Keynsham’s crime rate in August 2023 rose by 30.4% compared to July, climbing from 6.0 to 7.8 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest in absolute terms, reflects shifting patterns in local crime dynamics. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 5 crimes per day in August, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 128 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Keynsham’s profile in contrast to broader UK trends. While the overall rate remains 3.7% below the UK average, the month-on-month rise suggests a temporary uptick in specific categories. This shift may partly explain the surge in anti-social behaviour and burglary, which align with seasonal factors such as increased tourism and empty homes during the summer holiday period. The population context—Keynsham’s 21,382 residents—means that the impact of these figures is distributed across a relatively compact built-up area, where community policing and local engagement could play a role in mitigating future trends.