Portishead Crime Rate July 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Portishead’s crime profile in July 2025 reveals a distinctive balance between violent and property offences, with violent crimes accounting for 37.3% of all incidents compared to 28.7% for property crimes. This contrast with the UK average, where property crimes typically dominate, may reflect the area’s unique character as a coastal town with a mix of residential and tourist activity. The overall crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents — 31.4% below the UK average — suggests a generally safe environment, though the higher proportion of violent crimes compared to the national profile raises questions about local dynamics. The top crime type, violence and sexual offences, is 28% below the UK average (3.0 vs 2.2 per 1,000), a discrepancy that may be linked to Portishead’s relatively low population density and the presence of a large number of single-family homes, which could reduce opportunities for violent crime. Anti-social behaviour (18.0% of incidents) and public order offences (12.7%) also feature prominently, with the latter exceeding the UK average by 25%. This could be consistent with the summer season, when festivals and outdoor events increase foot traffic in public spaces. The area’s built-up nature within North Somerset, combined with its proximity to the Bristol Channel, may explain the lower burglary rates (0.2 per 1,000) compared to the UK average, as well as the sharp decline in shoplifting (38% below the UK average), due to effective retail security measures. The seasonal context of July — with schools out and tourism at its peak — likely influences these patterns, though the exact interplay between local geography and crime types remains a subject for further analysis.

July 2025 saw sharp spikes in vehicle crime (+200%) and burglary (+100%), with three vehicle-related incidents reported — a jump from one in June. This increase may partly explain the slight overall rise in crime rates, though the broader trend remains well below the UK average. Meanwhile, violent crimes, which accounted for 37.3% of all incidents, outpaced property crimes (28.7%), a shift that contrasts with the national pattern where property crimes typically dominate. Violent crimes in Portishead are 28% below the UK average (3.0 vs 2.2 per 1,000), suggesting local factors — such as the town’s low population density and seasonal tourism — may moderate violence. Other theft and shoplifting both fell by over 18%, while robbery dropped by 50%, a decline that may reflect heightened security measures in retail areas during peak summer months. The UK average for public order offences is 0.6 per 1,000, but Portishead reported 0.8 — a 25% gap that could be linked to the area’s summer festival calendar and increased foot traffic.

Portishead's crime rate in July 2025 rose by 2.8% compared to June, moving from 5.7 to 5.9 per 1,000 residents. This slight increase, while statistically minor, reflects a localised shift in patterns rather than a systemic trend. On a daily basis, 5 crimes were reported over the month — a figure that, while low, aligns with the area’s generally safe profile. Over the course of July, one crime occurred for every 169 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the rarity of incidents in this built-up area. When scaled to Portishead’s population of 25,417, the 150 reported crimes represent a manageable burden, particularly when contrasted with the UK average of 8.6 per 1,000. The area’s coastal location and limited urban density likely contribute to this lower exposure, though the rise in vehicle crime may signal a need for closer scrutiny of local transport hubs. The comparison to the UK average also highlights Portishead’s distinctiveness: while public order offences are 25% above the national average, violent crimes are 28% below, a divergence that may reflect the town’s demographic makeup and seasonal activity levels.