Portishead Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Portishead's overall crime rate for September 2025 stood at 6.3 per 1,000 residents, marking a 14.9% reduction compared to the UK average of 7.4. This continued trend of relative safety reflects the area's character as a coastal town with a mix of residential and commercial zones, where community engagement and local policing efforts may contribute to sustained low crime levels. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 43.1% of all reported crimes, a figure that remains higher than the UK average for this category (2.6 per 1,000 vs 2.7 per 1,000 in Portishead). Anti-social behaviour followed at 14.4%, while criminal damage and arson made up 13.1% of incidents, both significantly above the UK averages. Seasonal factors appear to influence these patterns, with the transition into autumn possibly affecting public order and anti-social behaviour rates. The town's proximity to Bristol and its appeal to commuters may also play a role in shaping the crime profile, though the overall rate remains well below national benchmarks. The dominance of violent crime highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining public safety, particularly during the back-to-school period and the start of the academic year, which may increase tensions in local communities. However, the absence of major spikes in property crime or burglary contrasts with other UK areas, suggesting that local initiatives or environmental factors—such as well-lit streets and active community watch schemes—may be effective in deterring such offences.

September 2025 saw a marked 76% decrease in shoplifting incidents, dropping from 25 to 6. This sharp decline aligns with the season's transition, as fewer tourists visit Portishead during the autumn months, reducing opportunities for retail theft. Similarly, burglary fell by 60% compared to August, with reported cases dropping from 5 to 2. These reductions may reflect heightened police patrols in key areas or the seasonal closure of certain businesses, which could limit targets for would-be offenders. However, other crime categories showed troubling increases. 'Other crime' rose by 300%, with incidents jumping from 1 to 4—a figure that could indicate unreported or under-recorded activities, though the exact nature of these incidents remains unspecified. Drugs-related offences also surged by 100%, with four reported cases in September compared to none in August. This spike may be linked to the arrival of university students, whose presence during the freshers' period could contribute to increased drug-related activity in social hubs. Equally concerning was the 100% rise in possession of weapons, with one incident reported in September after none in August. While the small number of cases makes direct correlation difficult, these increases warrant careful monitoring, particularly as they contrast with the broader trend of declining crime rates. The contrast between falling property crimes and rising violent and drugs-related offences underscores the need for targeted interventions in specific areas of Portishead.

Portishead's crime rate in September 2025 (6.3 per 1,000) represented an 8.7% decrease from the previous month's rate of 6.9, a downward trend that has continued for several months. On a daily basis, the town recorded approximately 5 crimes per day over the 30-day period, a figure that residents may find reassuring given the area's population of 25,417. Translating this into a monthly context, the data shows that over the course of September, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 159 residents—a rate that is significantly lower than the UK average for similar-sized built-up areas. This statistic, while seemingly abstract, provides a tangible measure of the town's relative safety, suggesting that most residents are unlikely to experience crime firsthand. The population-scaled perspective is particularly valuable for families considering relocation or investment in the area, as it highlights the low probability of encountering crime in daily life. However, the comparison to the UK average reveals nuances: while Portishead's overall rate is below the national figure, certain categories—such as violence and sexual offences—remain high. This discrepancy suggests that local challenges, such as the social dynamics of a commuter town or the pressures of a seasonal tourism economy, may influence specific crime types. The contrast between Portishead's overall safety and its higher-than-average violent crime rate underscores the importance of targeted policing and community support initiatives to address these persistent issues.