Bristol Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Bristol

Bristol experiences an overall crime rate of 136.1 per 1,000 residents per year, which is notably higher than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. The city's property crime rate stands at 47.6 per 1,000 residents, also above the national average of 33.2 per 1,000. With a safety score of 68 out of 100, Bristol ranks above the typical UK average of 50, indicating a moderate level of safety compared to other areas. Over the past year, crime rates in Bristol have remained stable, showing a minor decrease of 2.4% year-over-year. This overview provides a foundation for understanding the specific crime patterns and trends within Bristol.

About Bristol

Bristol is a significant urban centre in the South West of England, characterised by its vibrant city life, historic harbour, and diverse population of over 494,000 residents. As a major port city, it acts as a crucial transport hub, attracting both commercial activity and tourism. The presence of two large universities contributes to a substantial student and transient population, which can sometimes influence crime statistics. Its extensive nightlife, numerous retail centres, and cultural venues also contribute to varying levels of activity throughout the day and night, potentially impacting crime patterns, particularly those related to public order and anti-social behaviour. The city's dynamic blend of residential, commercial, and industrial zones creates a complex environment that shapes its overall crime landscape and safety profile.

Crime Breakdown in Bristol

An analysis of crime types in Bristol reveals that Violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant category, accounting for 23,907 crimes (35.5% of the total) at a rate of 48.4 per 1,000 residents. Following this are Anti-social behaviour with 10,059 crimes (14.9%) and Public order offences with 6,841 crimes (10.2%). These top three categories highlight a notable prevalence of crimes that impact public spaces and personal safety.

Focusing on property-related crime, which encompasses burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, Bristol records a combined rate of 47.6 per 1,000 residents. This includes 2,389 burglaries (4.8 per 1,000), 1,204 robberies (2.4 per 1,000), 265 thefts from the person (0.5 per 1,000), 4,385 incidents of criminal damage and arson (8.9 per 1,000), 903 bicycle thefts (1.8 per 1,000), 3,722 vehicle crimes (7.5 per 1,000), and 5,220 other thefts (10.6 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, these figures underscore the importance of securing personal belongings and properties against various forms of theft and damage.

Crime Trends in Bristol

Over the last year, Bristol has experienced a stable crime trend, with an overall decrease of 2.4% year-over-year. Examining the monthly crime rate data per 1,000 residents reveals fluctuations throughout the period. In late 2024, rates were 12.9 in October, dropping to 10.8 in November and 10.2 in December. Early 2025 saw a slight rise to 10.6 in January, followed by a dip to 9.8 in February, the lowest point. The crime rate then steadily increased through spring and summer, reaching 12.1 in May, before stabilising around 11.3-11.7 during June, July, and August. The period concluded with a slight increase to 12.6 in September 2025. This pattern suggests that while the overall trend is stable, there are seasonal variations, with crime rates generally lower in late winter and early spring, and higher during the autumn and summer months. For residents, this indicates a consistent, albeit slightly declining, level of criminal activity across the city.

Crime in Nearby Areas

When considering Bristol's crime statistics, it is helpful to compare them with neighbouring areas to gain regional context. To the north, South Gloucestershire presents a different profile, often characterised by more suburban and rural areas. East of Bristol lies Bath and North East Somerset, known for its historic city of Bath and surrounding countryside, likely exhibiting different crime patterns related to tourism and residential areas. To the south, North Somerset offers a mix of coastal towns and rural communities. Across the Severn Estuary, Newport in Wales is a significant urban centre with its own distinct socio-economic factors influencing crime. Further afield, Stroud and the Forest of Dean, both more rural districts, would typically have lower crime rates and different dominant crime types compared to a large city like Bristol. Understanding these regional differences helps residents contextualise Bristol's safety profile within the broader South West and Welsh border regions.

Protecting Your Property in Bristol

Given Bristol's property crime rate of 47.6 per 1,000 residents, safeguarding your home and belongings is a key consideration. While traditional security measures like CCTV cameras can record incidents, they often provide footage of a crime after it has occurred, offering a reactive rather than a preventative solution.

For those seeking to truly prevent crime, proactive security systems offer a significant advantage. Instead of merely documenting a burglary, advanced AI-powered home security operating systems like scOS are designed to detect threats at your property boundary before a break-in can even happen. This multi-camera intelligence watches all cameras simultaneously, ensuring nothing is missed. Features such as DVLA vehicle verification can instantly identify suspicious vehicles, while pattern learning distinguishes between family, deliveries, and genuine threats, reducing false alarms. With autonomous responses like activating lights and engaging speakers, scOS aims to destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on, making them move on before any damage is done.

The majority of burglars make their decision within 60 seconds of approaching a property. Visible and professional-grade security like scOS acts as a powerful deterrent, signalling serious protection and making your home a less appealing target. While DIY systems have their place for basic monitoring, professional, proactive security offers a different level of protection, intervening in real-time to prevent crime rather than just notifying you after the fact. Reading crime statistics is one thing; stopping threats at your property line is another.