Rural Bath and North East Somerset Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Rural Bath and North East Somerset continues to demonstrate a markedly lower crime rate than the UK average, with an overall rate of 3.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in August 2023—61.7% below the national figure of 8.1. This rural area, which includes built-up zones within Bath and North East Somerset, maintains a crime profile shaped by its mixed landscape of historic town centres and open countryside. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 25% of all crimes, followed by criminal damage and arson (13.5%) and other theft (13.5%). The seasonal context of August, a peak holiday month, likely contributes to patterns observed in the data, including the 300% surge in shoplifting reported during this period. While the area’s lower population density may reduce opportunities for certain crimes, the presence of tourist attractions and seasonal property vacancies could explain the persistent risk of burglary. The crime mix reflects a balance between property-related offences and violent incidents, though the latter remain well below UK averages. Violent crime rates in the area are 70% lower than the UK average, a disparity consistent with the area’s relatively low population density and strong community policing efforts. This stability contrasts with national trends, suggesting that local factors—such as the area’s historic character and seasonal management of vacant properties—play a role in maintaining lower crime levels.

August 2023 saw sharp increases in shoplifting (+300%) and other theft (+133.3%) compared to July, with shoplifting rising from 1 to 4 incidents. This surge may reflect heightened foot traffic during the summer holiday season, particularly in retail areas of the built-up zones. Conversely, public order offences fell by 33.3%, likely due to reduced alcohol-related incidents during August compared to the previous month. The area’s violent crime rate (0.8 per 1,000) remains 70% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), a disparity that may stem from the region’s lower population density and strong community engagement. Drug-related offences doubled from 0 to 1 incident, a small but notable increase that could indicate shifts in local drug trade patterns. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson (0.4 per 1,000) and anti-social behaviour (0.4 per 1,000) remain significantly below UK averages, with the latter being 72% lower than the national figure. Residents may find the 26.6% monthly increase in the overall crime rate (from 2.4 to 3.1 per 1,000) noteworthy, though this remains a relatively low figure in the context of national statistics.

The crime rate in August 2023 rose 26.6% compared to July, increasing from 2.4 to 3.1 per 1,000 residents. This monthly change, while notable, still places the area far below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 2 crimes per day in August—a rate that, when scaled to the local population of 16,819, translates to one reported crime for every 323 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure highlights the relatively low frequency of crime in a region that is otherwise densely populated with historic sites and tourist attractions. When compared to the UK average, the area’s crime profile demonstrates significant disparities: for example, anti-social behaviour rates are 72% below the national average, a gap that may reflect the area’s emphasis on community cohesion and local governance. The population-scaled perspective further underscores the area’s safety, with residents facing a much lower risk of encountering crime than the average UK resident. These figures, combined with the area’s seasonal management of vacant properties during August, illustrate how local conditions can shape crime patterns in ways distinct from national trends.