Portishead Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In Portishead, the likelihood of encountering crime remains lower than the UK average, with a recorded rate of 4.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in November 2023. This figure places the area 38.7% below the national average of 7.5 per 1,000, suggesting a relatively safe environment for residents. The crime profile shows a clear dominance of violent crimes, which accounted for 47.5% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.8%) and public order offences (11.0%). These patterns align with the area's character as a coastal commuter town with a mix of residential and retail spaces, where late-night activity and seasonal events may influence crime dynamics. November's darker evenings and the proximity of Bonfire Night likely contributed to the higher prevalence of violence and public order issues, though the exact causal links remain speculative. Conversely, property-related crimes such as burglary and shoplifting were significantly lower than UK averages, possibly reflecting the area's lower population density and more tightly knit community structures. The absence of major commercial hubs or high-traffic areas may further explain the subdued rates of vehicle crime and theft from the person, both of which were below UK averages. While direct causal relationships, the seasonal context of November—marked by increased social gatherings and reduced daylight—offers a plausible explanation for the observed crime trends.

November 2023 saw several notable shifts in Portishead's crime profile. Bicycle theft and theft from the person both increased by 100% compared to October, likely linked to the surge in Black Friday shopping activity, which may have drawn more foot traffic and left valuables more exposed. Public order offences also rose by 30%, potentially influenced by Bonfire Night events and the associated increase in public gatherings. In contrast, shoplifting dropped by 63.6%, a decline that could be attributed to heightened security measures in retail outlets during the holiday season. The overall balance between violent and property crimes remained skewed, with violence and sexual offences accounting for nearly half of all incidents—far exceeding the UK average for this category. This disparity may reflect the area's demographic profile, where a significant proportion of the population resides in larger homes with fewer communal spaces, reducing opportunities for property crime. Meanwhile, categories such as criminal damage and arson fell by 50%, and other crime dropped by 83.3%, though these decreases may be partially due to natural fluctuations rather than sustained improvements. Residents might find the 100% reduction in bicycle theft from the previous month particularly reassuring, as it suggests effective local policing or community awareness initiatives.

Portishead's crime rate in November 2023 (4.6 per 1,000) marked a 12.0% decrease from the previous month's rate of 5.3, indicating a slight improvement in overall safety. Translating this into daily terms, the area experienced an average of four crimes per day—a figure that, while seemingly high, must be contextualised within the local population of 25,417 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 215 residents, a ratio that is considerably lower than the UK average when scaled to similar population sizes. This monthly exposure rate underscores the relatively low frequency of crime in Portishead compared to the national context, even as the area's violent crime rates remain high. The population-scaled perspective also highlights that, despite the overall decline, the risk of encountering a violent crime remains elevated. For instance, the rate of violence and sexual offences in Portishead (2.2 per 1,000) is 15% below the UK average, but this still represents a significant portion of the local crime burden. The comparison to the UK average is further nuanced by the fact that certain categories, such as anti-social behaviour and public order offences, are even more than 20% below national rates, suggesting that Portishead's unique social dynamics or policing strategies may be contributing to these disparities. While direct causal relationships, the combination of seasonal factors and local characteristics likely plays a role in shaping these comparative outcomes.