Portishead Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

February 2024 marked a slight uptick in Portishead's overall crime rate, rising 2.6% from January to 4.8 per 1,000 residents. This figure, though modest, remains 32.4% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, a consistent trend that underscores the area's generally low crime profile. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 45.1% of all reported incidents—nearly double the share of the next most common category, anti-social behaviour. This dominance of violent crime may reflect local factors such as the area's demographic composition or the presence of specific community hubs that could contribute to such incidents. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity—suggests that the pre-spring lull may have influenced the crime mix, with property crimes like shoplifting and vehicle crime accounting for a smaller share than usual. However, the area's violent crime rate remains below the UK average, a pattern that may be attributable to Portishead's character as a built-up area within North Somerset, benefiting from strong community ties, effective local policing, or socioeconomic factors that reduce violent incidents. The relatively low levels of property crime, particularly vehicle crime and burglary, which are 32% and 67% below UK averages respectively, further highlight the area's unique crime profile, which appears to be shaped by its specific local environment and the dynamics of its population.

February 2024 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with drugs-related offences doubling from one to two incidents—a 100% increase. This rise, though small in absolute terms, highlights the need for continued monitoring of substance-related activity. Anti-social behaviour also rose sharply, climbing 41.2% from 17 to 24 incidents, a trend that may reflect seasonal factors or community dynamics during the winter months. Conversely, shoplifting and other theft declined, with shoplifting dropping 30% from 10 to 7 cases. This decrease aligns with the pre-spring lull in retail activity, a pattern consistent with Portishead's seasonal crime trends. The area's violent crime rate—2.2 per 1,000 residents—remains 12% below the UK average for this category, suggesting local factors such as community engagement or policing efforts may be effective in mitigating violent incidents. These fluctuations illustrate the combination of local conditions and broader national trends.

Portishead's crime rate in February 2024 rose 2.6% compared to January, moving from 4.7 to 4.8 per 1,000 residents. This slight upward trend contrasts with the broader context of the area remaining 32.4% below the UK average. On a daily basis, the 122 reported crimes over 29 days equate to an average of four crimes per day—a figure that, while steady, reflects the area's generally low crime profile. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for every 208 residents, a statistic that underscores the relatively infrequent nature of crime in Portishead compared to national benchmarks. This ratio, while not alarming, serves as a reminder that even small increases can be meaningful in a community with such a low baseline. The population context further highlights that the 25,417 residents here experience crime at a rate that is consistently lower than the UK average, suggesting factors such as community cohesion, local policing strategies, or socioeconomic characteristics may be contributing to this trend.