Banwell Crime Rate

Banwell is a relatively safe urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 64.8 per 1,000 people. This figure is notably lower than the UK average of 91.7, contributing to a solid safety score of 82/100. Despite this, the area has seen a 32.9% increase in crime over the last year, a trend that warrants attention from the local community. While Banwell remains safer than the UK average (safety score 79), the rise in certain crime types, particularly violence and sexual offences, highlights the need for continued vigilance. This report provides a detailed analysis of Banwell's crime data to help residents understand their local safety environment.

In Banwell, the criminal landscape is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 54.5% of all reported crimes, with 55 incidents recorded in the past year. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 10.9% (11 crimes) and vehicle crime and 'other theft', both at 8.9% (9 crimes each). These figures indicate that personal safety and public order are the primary focus of local law enforcement.

Property crime in Banwell—including burglary, theft, and vehicle crime—is relatively low at 16.0 per 1,000 people. This is significantly better than the UK average of 32.3. However, vehicle crime is a notable component of this, and its concentration during certain hours is a specific concern. For residents, this means that while the overall risk of property loss is lower than the national average, vehicles are the most likely target for acquisitive crime. Homeowners should ensure that their cars are well-protected, especially during the overnight hours when these offences are most common.

Banwell has seen a significant 32.9% increase in crime over the last 12 months, moving its overall rate to 64.8 per 1,000 people. This upward trend is reflected in the monthly data from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025, which shows a period of considerable fluctuation.

The year began with a rate of 7.7 in December, followed by a decline to its lowest point of 2.6 in August. However, there were significant spikes in April (8.3) and May (7.7). Towards the end of the year, the crime rate settled at 5.8 for October and November. This volatility, with higher rates occurring in the spring and late autumn, suggests that while the overall volume is low, there are specific periods where criminal activity intensifies, requiring residents to remain consistently vigilant.

How To Keep Safe in Banwell

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Banwell, making up over half of all reported incidents. Vehicle crime is also a notable issue, especially at night.

• When walking alone, particularly at night, stay on well-lit main roads and avoid isolated paths or shortcuts.
• Ensure your vehicle is parked in a well-lit area, preferably a locked garage if available, as vehicle crime accounts for 68% of night-time offences.
• Do not leave any valuables in your car, even if they are out of sight, as this can attract opportunistic thieves.
• Be aware of your surroundings when using local amenities and report any suspicious activity to the police.
• Install motion-activated security lighting around your driveway and home entry points to deter potential offenders after dark.

Crime in Banwell exhibits a strong temporal shift, particularly regarding property crime. During the morning and afternoon, theft-related offences are the most common, accounting for 41% and 55% of crimes respectively. Vehicle crime is also significant in the morning at 33%.

As the day transitions into night (12am - 6am), the nature of crime changes dramatically. Vehicle crime becomes the overwhelming majority, making up 68% of all reported incidents during this period. Burglary remains low throughout the day and night, peaking at just 7% in the afternoon. This pattern indicates that vehicles are the primary target for acquisitive crime in Banwell, with the risk being at its highest during the early hours of the morning when most residents are asleep.

Banwell sits in a region with varying levels of safety. Its crime rate of 64.8 per 1,000 people makes it slightly less safe than its immediate neighbours Locking (52.1) and Winscombe and Sandford (45.8). However, it is significantly safer than Hutton (North Somerset) at 82.6 and dramatically more secure than West Wick, which has a much higher rate of 181.6. For residents, Banwell offers a middle ground in terms of local safety, providing a more peaceful environment than the higher-activity urban zones nearby while being slightly more active than the most rural settlements.

In Banwell, while the overall property crime rate is low at 16.0 per 1,000 people, vehicle crime is a specific and significant concern, particularly during the night. Traditional security systems often fail to protect vehicles parked on driveways because they are reactive—they record the theft but do nothing to stop it.

For Banwell residents, the scOS AI-powered security system offers a proactive solution. By monitoring the property boundary, scOS can detect an intruder approaching a vehicle long before they attempt to break in. The system’s multi-camera intelligence and autonomous responses, such as activating high-intensity lighting or playing audible warnings, can deter a criminal in real-time. Additionally, scOS features DVLA vehicle verification, which can instantly identify suspicious or unknown vehicles in the vicinity. By moving from reactive recording to proactive AI protection, Banwell homeowners can significantly reduce their risk of becoming a victim of property or vehicle crime, ensuring their assets are truly protected.