Weston-super-Mare Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Weston-super-Mare's crime profile in July 2023, accounting for 33.4% of all reported crimes—a stark contrast to the UK average of 26% for this category. With a crime rate of 10.5 per 1,000 residents, the area recorded 914 total crimes, placing it 26.5% above the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000. This discrepancy highlights the unique challenges faced by a coastal town with a strong tourism sector, where seasonal fluctuations and dense public spaces may contribute to higher rates of interpersonal crime. Anti-social behaviour (17.7% of total crimes) and public order offences (10.6%) further compounded the issue, both significantly exceeding their UK counterparts. The town’s proximity to major tourist attractions and its status as a summer destination likely exacerbate these trends, as increased foot traffic and alcohol consumption during festivals may heighten opportunities for disorderly conduct. Meanwhile, property crimes such as shoplifting (9.2%) and criminal damage (8.6%) also remained elevated, though not as markedly as violent offences. The seasonal context of July—characterised by long evenings, festivals, and a surge in visitors—may partly explain the persistent focus on violence and public order, which are often more prevalent in high-traffic areas. These patterns suggest that targeted policing strategies during peak tourist periods could be critical to addressing the area’s most pressing crime challenges.

July 2023 saw a sharp 183.3% increase in robbery cases, rising from six to seventeen incidents—a spike that may reflect heightened activity during the summer tourist season. Bicycle theft also surged by 166.7%, from six to sixteen cases, likely linked to the influx of visitors and increased outdoor events. In contrast, public order offences declined by 14.2%, dropping from 113 to 97, possibly due to improved policing during major festivals. Violence and sexual offences. compared to June, still accounted for 33.4% of all crimes, far exceeding the UK average of 26%. This category’s rate of 3.5 per 1,000 residents was 26% above the national figure, highlighting the area’s unique challenges. Meanwhile, vehicle crime remained 17% below the UK average, suggesting that local infrastructure or enforcement strategies may be effectively deterring such incidents. These shifts underscore the combination of seasonal activity, local policing, and community dynamics.

Weston-super-Mare's crime rate in July 2023 (10.5 per 1,000 residents) marked a 6.5% decrease from the previous month's 11.2 per 1,000, reflecting a slight but notable downward trend. This decline aligns with the summer season's typical patterns, where increased daylight and tourist activity may reduce opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 29 crimes per day in July, a figure that underscores the persistent nature of local crime despite the monthly drop. When considering the population context, over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 95 residents—a statistic that highlights the frequency of incidents relative to the town's size. While this monthly exposure is higher than the UK average, the decrease from June suggests that targeted interventions or seasonal factors may be influencing crime dynamics. The comparison to the UK average also reveals that certain categories, such as anti-social behaviour and public order offences, remain elevated, indicating areas where local conditions may differ significantly from national trends.