Portishead Crime Rate June 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Portishead’s crime profile in June 2024, accounting for 37.5% of all reported crimes—nearly twice the share of the next most common category, anti-social behaviour. This stark contrast with the UK average, where such offences make up 13% of total crime, underscores Portishead’s distinct profile as a coastal built-up area. The overall crime rate of 6.3 per 1,000 residents, 23.2% below the UK’s 8.2, suggests a combination of effective local policing, community cohesion, and the area’s unique demographic makeup. The seasonal context of June—a time when tourism begins to rise and daylight hours stretch—likely influences crime patterns, though the dominance of violent crime over property crime is unusual for a coastal town. This may reflect a mix of factors, including the presence of older, more stable residential communities and the relative absence of large retail hubs that typically drive shoplifting or vehicle crime. Anti-social behaviour, at 22.5% of all crimes, mirrors national rates closely, indicating that local issues such as alcohol-related incidents or noise complaints are broadly in line with UK trends. Meanwhile, the significant drop in public order offences—34% below the UK average—suggests that Portishead’s community engagement initiatives or policing strategies may be particularly effective in curbing disruptive behaviour. The lower-than-average rates for shoplifting (52% below UK) and vehicle crime (56% below UK) further highlight the area’s divergence from typical urban crime profiles, likely due to its smaller population and lower density of commercial spaces. These figures, when contextualised with Portishead’s coastal geography and historical character as a commuter town, suggest that while violent crime remains a concern, the area’s broader crime profile is shaped by its unique social and environmental factors.

June 2024 saw sharp increases in other theft (+150%), criminal damage and arson (+133%), and bicycle theft (+100%), reflecting potential spikes in targeted property crimes. Conversely, public order offences fell by 45%, and vehicle crime dropped by 45.5%, possibly linked to seasonal shifts in activity or policing focus. Violence and sexual offences, the most prevalent category, remain 13% below the UK average at 2.4 per 1,000, while anti-social behaviour aligns exactly with the national rate. The sharp rise in other theft—now 0.6 per 1,000—suggests a growing concern for residents, particularly in areas with high foot traffic or unsecured properties. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of local crime patterns, even within a generally low-crime area like Portishead.

Portishead's crime rate in June 2024 rose 8.8% from 5.8 to 6.3 per 1,000 residents compared to May, reflecting a slight upward trend. This increase, though modest, contrasts with the area’s overall position 23.2% below the UK average. Locally, 160 crimes were reported over 30 days, equating to roughly 5 crimes per day—a figure that underscores the pace of incidents in a relatively small built-up area. Monthly exposure reveals that one crime occurred for every 159 residents, a statistic that, while low, highlights the visibility of crime in a community of 25,417 people. This rate is particularly notable when considering Portishead’s coastal character, where seasonal tourism and extended daylight hours might influence both crime patterns and police visibility. The balance between resident and visitor populations likely plays a role in shaping these numbers from the data alone.