Keynsham Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

December 2024 saw Keynsham record a crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents, placing it 25.4% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This marked a continuation of the area's consistently lower-than-average crime profile, though seasonal factors likely influenced specific patterns. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 46% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.7%) and criminal damage and arson (8%). These figures align with Keynsham's character as a built-up area within Bath and North East Somerset, where community-focused policing and relatively low population density may contribute to lower overall crime rates. The seasonal context of December—characterised by Christmas shopping, extended evenings, and increased household absences—may have amplified certain types of crime, such as anti-social behaviour and property-related incidents. However, the absence of significant spikes in burglary or vehicle crime suggests that local initiatives or environmental factors, such as well-lit public spaces or community engagement efforts, could be playing a role in mitigating risks. The data also highlights a notable disparity between Keynsham and the UK average for specific categories, including shoplifting (65% below UK average) and vehicle crime (50% below), which may reflect the area's limited retail presence compared to larger urban centres. These trends warrant further analysis to identify sustained strategies that contribute to Keynsham's comparative safety.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift occurred in 'Other crime', which surged by 300% (1 to 4 cases), a spike that could be linked to unclassified incidents during the holiday period. This was accompanied by a 200% increase in drug-related offences (1 to 3), potentially influenced by seasonal social dynamics or changes in enforcement patterns. In contrast, burglary fell sharply by 75% (from 12 to 3 cases), a decline that may reflect the reduced presence of unoccupied homes during the Christmas season or improved security measures in residential areas. Anti-social behaviour also dropped by 28.6% (from 28 to 20), due to increased community activity or targeted policing efforts around festive events. Keynsham's violent crime rate—2.4 per 1,000—remained 6% below the UK average, despite the high proportion of such crimes in the local breakdown. This suggests that while violence remains a concern, the area's overall safety profile is stronger than national trends. The sharp drop in shoplifting (65% below UK average) may also be tied to Keynsham's smaller retail footprint compared to larger urban centres, where such crimes are more prevalent. Residents may find the 20% decrease in overall crime rate from November (6.6 to 5.3 per 1,000) particularly relevant, as it indicates a sustained reduction in risk despite the challenges of the holiday season.

Keynsham's crime rate in December 2024 (5.3 per 1,000) represented a 20.5% decrease from the previous month's rate of 6.6 per 1,000, marking a significant year-end trend. This reduction, when contextualised against the local population of 21,382, translates to roughly 4 crimes reported per day over the 31-day period. On a monthly basis, this equates to one reported crime for every 189 residents—a figure that, while illustrative of the area's relatively low crime exposure, must be considered alongside the seasonal nature of December. The comparison to the UK average (7.1 per 1,000) underscores Keynsham's consistent position as a safer locality, though this is not uniform across all crime categories. For instance, while violent crime remains 6% below the national average, the 'Other crime' category saw a 300% increase, highlighting the need for targeted analysis of emerging trends. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Keynsham's residents face a markedly lower risk of experiencing crime compared to the UK average, but this is tempered by the volatility of specific categories. The 20.5% reduction from November suggests that local efforts—whether through community engagement, policing strategies, or environmental factors—may have had a measurable impact. However, the sharp rise in 'Other crime' and drug-related offences indicates that certain challenges remain unaddressed, requiring further scrutiny to ensure sustained improvements in public safety.