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

Rural Bath and North East Somerset recorded 60 crimes in May 2024, equating to a crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents—57.1% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This figure, while relatively low, reflects a mix of crime types that align with the area’s rural character and seasonal patterns. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 33.3% of all incidents, with 20 reported cases, making them the most common category. This rate of 1.2 per 1,000 is 58% below the UK average, a disparity that may be attributed to the area’s lower population density and the limited presence of high-risk environments such as major urban centres. Anti-social behaviour followed with 13.3% of all crimes, a category that remains 66% below the UK average. This trend could be influenced by the area’s quieter, more dispersed nature, which may reduce opportunities for public disorder. Criminal damage and arson, at 11.7% of total crimes, also fell below the UK average by 35%, though the 75% increase from April suggests a possible uptick in seasonal-related incidents during longer evenings. The overall crime rate, while low, is contextualised by the area’s seasonal rhythms, with May’s extended daylight and bank holidays contributing to shifts in crime patterns. These factors, combined with the rural setting, create a distinct crime profile that contrasts sharply with urban counterparts, where higher population density and commercial activity often drive up rates of theft and violence.

May 2024 saw a notable 44.4% decrease in violence and sexual offences, with incidents dropping from 36 to 20. This decline aligns with the area’s typically low violent crime profile, though it remains 58% below the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000. Conversely, bicycle theft surged by 100% (from 0 to 1), an anomaly that may reflect increased cycling activity during the spring season. The category of criminal damage and arson rose by 75% (from 4 to 7), a shift that could be linked to seasonal factors such as longer evenings and outdoor drinking, which may contribute to anti-social behaviour and property-related incidents. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common crime, fell by 33.3% compared to April, though it still remains 66% below the UK average. These changes highlight a combination of local demographics, seasonal rhythms, and the built environment, with the rural character of the area likely playing a role in moderating crime levels compared to more densely populated regions.

Rural Bath and North East Somerset reported 60 crimes in May 2024, translating to 2 crimes per day on average—a figure that places the area well within the lower end of national benchmarks. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 280 residents, a monthly exposure rate that suggests a relatively low level of personal risk compared to larger urban centres. This statistic is further contextualised by the area’s population of 16,819, meaning that the crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents is significantly below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. The decrease from 4.5 per 1,000 in April to 3.6 per 1,000 in May reflects a 21% reduction, a trend that may be influenced by seasonal factors such as extended daylight hours and the shift in social activity patterns during May. This downward trajectory, when considered alongside the area’s rural character, reinforces the perception of a safer, more stable environment compared to densely populated regions where crime rates are typically higher.