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

Violence and sexual offences emerged as the dominant crime category in Rural Bath and North East Somerset during November 2024, accounting for 25.4% of all reported crimes. This category, which saw a 40.7% month-on-month decline from 27 to 16 incidents, remained 61% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000 residents. The area’s overall crime rate of 3.8 per 1,000 residents—50% lower than the UK’s 7.6—reflects a combination of geographic and demographic factors. As a built-up rural area with a population of 16,819, its crime profile is shaped by seasonal rhythms, including the impact of dark evenings and the timing of events like Bonfire Night. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common category (19.1% of total crimes), surged by 200% compared to October, possibly linked to the increased social activity associated with late autumn festivals. Other theft (17.5% of total crimes) and anti-social behaviour both exceeded their UK averages, suggesting that localised factors—such as the presence of retail hubs or community dynamics—play a role in shaping these trends. The relatively low rates of property crimes, including vehicle crime (down 42.9%) and shoplifting (down 41.7%), may be attributed to the area’s compact nature, which likely facilitates quicker response times and greater community vigilance. These patterns highlight the interplay between the area’s rural character and the influence of seasonal events on crime trends.

November witnessed a stark contrast in crime trends, with anti-social behaviour surging by 200% and other theft rising by 83.3% compared to the previous month. These increases, though significant, were offset by notable declines in vehicle crime (down 42.9%) and shoplifting (down 41.7%). The dominance of violence and sexual offences—16 cases, 25.4% of total crimes—was 61% below the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000, a disparity that underscores the area’s unique safety profile. Meanwhile, other theft, though 27% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000, accounted for 17.5% of all crimes, reflecting a localised pattern of property-related incidents. For residents, the 41.7% drop in shoplifting during Black Friday sales offers a concrete example of how seasonal factors can influence crime trends, even in a low-crime area.

November 2024 saw a 14.8% decrease in the crime rate compared to the previous month, dropping from 4.4 to 3.8 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with the seasonal pattern of reduced outdoor activity as evenings grow darker, though the area remains significantly safer than the UK average. Daily crime statistics reveal an average of two reported crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the low level of criminal activity in a built-up rural area with a population of 16,819. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 267 residents, illustrating the relatively low frequency of incidents compared to larger urban centres. This monthly exposure figure, while not directly comparable to national data, highlights the area’s safety profile in a way that resonates with local residents. The population-scaled perspective reinforces that crime here is not only infrequent but also low when compared to the UK’s overall rate, which is double the local figure.