Rural Bath and North East Somerset Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Rural Bath and North East Somerset recorded a crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents in July 2024, placing it 53.6% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This continued trend of lower-than-average crime reflects the area’s character as a mix of rural landscapes and historic urban centres, where tourism and seasonal activity shape local dynamics. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (38.5% of total), followed by vehicle crime (12.3%) and shoplifting (10.8%). These figures align with the area’s seasonal rhythm: July, a peak month for tourism and festivals, often sees increased foot traffic in built-up areas, which may contribute to higher visibility of certain crimes. Despite this, the overall rate remains significantly below the UK average, suggesting a generally safe environment. Violence and sexual offences, while still the largest category, decreased by 13.8% compared to the previous month, possibly due to heightened policing during summer events or shifts in community behaviour. However, the proportion of violent crime (25 out of 65 total) remains slightly higher than the UK average for this category, which is 2.9 per 1,000. This contrast highlights the unique balance of factors influencing local crime patterns, from rural isolation to urban tourism hubs. The lower rates of property crimes like burglary and shoplifting compared to the UK average may be linked to the area’s smaller population and higher levels of community engagement, which can deter certain types of crime. As July transitions into the summer holiday season, these trends are likely to evolve further, influenced by ongoing events and the local environment’s characteristics.

July 2024 saw sharp spikes in shoplifting (+600%) and public order offences (+400%) compared to June, reflecting the impact of increased foot traffic during the summer tourism peak. These jumps, from 1 to 7 shoplifting incidents and 1 to 5 public order offences, suggest a direct link to seasonal activity in the area’s built-up zones, where festivals and events may contribute to temporary spikes in such crimes. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell by 13.8% (from 29 to 25), a decline that may be attributed to heightened police presence or the timing of local summer events. The area’s vehicle crime rate (0.5 per 1,000) was 9% above the UK average (0.5 per 1,000), though this is a narrow margin and could reflect the presence of commuter routes or car parks near tourist attractions. Shoplifting in the area was 41% below the UK average (0.7 per 1,000), indicating that while the category rose sharply in July, it remains significantly lower than national trends. This contrast underscores the importance of context-specific factors: while tourism can drive certain crimes, the area’s lower population density and community-oriented infrastructure may act as mitigating influences. Residents may find the 600% increase in shoplifting particularly noteworthy, as it suggests the need for vigilance in retail areas during peak summer months.

The crime rate in July 2024 rose by 30.0% from the previous month’s rate of 3.0 per 1,000, reaching 3.9 per 1,000. While this increase is notable, the area remains far below the UK average, with a 53.6% gap. On a daily basis, 2 crimes were reported per day in July, a figure that, when considered against the local population of 16,819, translates to one reported crime for every 259 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate is significantly lower than many UK areas, highlighting the relative safety of the region despite the recent upticks in certain crime categories. The population-scaled perspective is crucial: with fewer residents per crime, the area’s low crime rate suggests a strong alignment with community-focused policing and environmental factors that deter criminal activity. However, the rise in shoplifting and public order offences indicates that specific local conditions—such as increased foot traffic during festivals or events—can temporarily elevate crime rates in targeted areas. For residents, the 3.9 per 1,000 rate remains a benchmark that, while not static, continues to reflect a safer environment compared to the UK average. This contrast is further reinforced by the area’s consistently lower rates in categories like anti-social behaviour (79% below the UK average) and criminal damage and arson (68% below), which may be influenced by the area’s rural-urban blend and the presence of local initiatives that foster community cohesion.