Portishead Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For an area with 25,417 residents, 143 crimes reported in December 2025 equate to 0.56% of the population being directly affected by crime. This rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents places Portishead 20% below the UK average of 7.0, reflecting a safer environment compared to the national picture. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences (71 incidents, 49.7% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (18, 12.6%) and public order offences (14, 9.8%). Seasonal factors likely contributed to these patterns, as December typically sees heightened activity around Christmas shopping, extended evenings, and social gatherings. The relatively low property crime rate (32 incidents) suggests fewer thefts or burglaries, possibly due to the area’s character as a built-up coastal town with fewer commercial spaces than larger urban centres. Violent crime rates in Portishead are 9% above the UK average for this category, though this remains a small absolute figure given the local population size. The overall crime profile illustrates a balance between community-focused challenges (anti-social behaviour) and broader public safety concerns (violence).

December 2025 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime types. Vehicle crime surged by 300% (from 1 to 4 incidents), a sharp increase that may reflect seasonal changes in traffic patterns or holiday-related vehicle usage. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 50% (from 18 to 9), potentially linked to reduced footfall in retail areas during the festive period or increased security measures. Other crime and drugs-related incidents each doubled (from 1 to 3), though these remain low-volume categories. Public order offences decreased by 33.3% (from 21 to 14), due to police interventions or community initiatives during the month. Violence and sexual offences, while 9% above the UK average for this category, remained the dominant concern. The drop in criminal damage and arson (30% decrease) may indicate a seasonal lull in vandalism, though this remains a small proportion of total crime. These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of local crime patterns, influenced by both permanent factors (Portishead’s coastal character) and temporary seasonal pressures.

Portishead’s crime rate in December 2025 (5.6 per 1,000) marked a 10.2% increase from the previous month’s 5.1, though it remains well below the UK average. On a daily basis, the area saw roughly 5 crimes reported each day, a figure that may seem high to residents but translates to a monthly exposure rate of 1 crime per 178 residents. This monthly aggregate suggests that the likelihood of experiencing a crime is relatively low for individuals, though the concentrated nature of certain offences (notably violence) may create pockets of higher risk. The 10.2% rise compared to November 2025 could be attributed to the seasonal context of December, with its associated challenges of dark evenings and social events. However, the overall rate remains 20% below the UK average, indicating that Portishead continues to perform better than the national benchmark in terms of crime prevention. These figures provide a nuanced perspective for residents, showing that while crime levels have increased slightly, the area still maintains a safer profile relative to the rest of the UK.