Portishead Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Portishead’s January 2026 crime rate of 4.4 per 1,000 residents is 35.3% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently low crime environment. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category at 45 incidents (40.2% of total crimes), remain 28% below the UK average, a figure that aligns with the area’s character as a coastal town with limited nightlife and a strong community presence. Anti-social behaviour, the second most frequent category (16 incidents), is 35% below the UK average, suggesting effective local policing or community engagement strategies. The seasonal context of January—post-holiday, shorter days, and reduced retail activity—may partly explain the lower overall crime rate, as outdoor and shop-related offences typically decline during this period. However, the persistence of this low rate across months indicates structural factors, such as a stable population or targeted initiatives, may be sustaining the trend. The breakdown shows a focus on property-related crimes (34 incidents, 30.4% of total) and violent offences, with shoplifting and vehicle crime both 46% below the UK average, consistent with Portishead’s smaller retail footprint and lower vehicle density compared to urban areas. This data illustrates a crime profile shaped by geography and local conditions, rather than temporary fluctuations.

Violence and sexual offences fell sharply by 36.6% from 71 to 45, marking the most significant month-on-month decline. This drop contrasts with the 66.7% increase in other theft and other crime, which rose from 6 to 10. These shifts suggest a reallocation of criminal activity, possibly linked to seasonal factors or changes in policing focus. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common category, remained 35% below the UK average, consistent with Portishead’s generally lower crime profile. The rise in ‘other crime’—a category that includes less defined offences—may signal underreported or evolving criminal trends. For residents, the 28% gap between Portishead’s violence rate and the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000 offers reassurance, though the increase in less-specific categories deserves closer attention from local authorities.

Portishead’s January 2026 crime rate of 4.4 per 1,000 residents marks a 21.7% decline from the previous month’s 5.6 per 1,000, reflecting a continued downward trend. Over the course of January, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 227 residents—a figure that underscores the area’s relatively low crime profile compared to national averages. Daily crime statistics show an average of four crimes per day, a manageable frequency for a built-up area with a population of 25,417. When contextualised against population size, this suggests that local policing strategies or community factors may be sustaining this low level of activity. The drop in overall crime aligns with seasonal patterns, as January typically sees reduced retail footfall and fewer outdoor activities, which may limit opportunities for certain types of crime. However, the consistency of this trend over multiple months suggests structural factors, such as community engagement or targeted interventions, could be contributing to this sustained reduction.