Weston-super-Mare Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Weston-super-Mare's crime rate in January 2024 stood at 9.6 per 1,000 residents, placing it 29.7% above the UK average of 7.4. This rate, in a population of 87,022, translates to 834 total crimes — a figure that, when contextualised, reveals the scale of criminal activity in a coastal resort town with distinct seasonal dynamics. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 43.3% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (14.2%) and shoplifting (9.5%). These patterns align with the area's character as a tourist destination and commuter hub, where high foot traffic in retail and leisure areas may contribute to property crimes like shoplifting. However, the high rate of violent crime compared to the UK average suggests deeper local factors, such as social tensions or demographic imbalances, that warrant further analysis. Seasonal context plays a role, as January's post-holiday period typically sees reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours, which may influence crime patterns — particularly in outdoor spaces. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.6 per 1,000, meaning Weston-super-Mare's rate of 4.2 per 1,000 is 62% higher, a disparity that could reflect local challenges in managing public safety during colder months. Anti-social behaviour also exceeded the UK average by 41%, linked to the area's transient population and the pressures of a tourist economy. While property crimes like shoplifting and public order offences are common in such environments, the combination of violent and anti-social incidents paints a more complex picture than typical for a resort town. This data underscores the need for tailored interventions that address both the immediate and systemic drivers of crime in this specific context.

January 2024 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories. Other crime increased by 133.3%, rising from 6 to 14 incidents — a stark jump that may reflect unreported or emerging issues in the community. Vehicle crime also rose sharply by 36.7%, from 30 to 41, potentially linked to seasonal changes in parking patterns or increased vehicle movement during the post-holiday period. Conversely, bicycle theft plummeted by 83.3%, from 6 to 1, a decline that could be attributed to reduced outdoor activity during shorter winter days. The breakdown of crime types reveals a pronounced imbalance: violence and sexual offences (43.3% of total crimes) and anti-social behaviour (14.2%) dominate, both significantly above the UK average. This mix suggests a higher proportion of interpersonal and public disorder incidents compared to the national profile, which typically sees more property crimes. For residents, the 62% increase in violence and sexual offences over the UK average is a critical insight, highlighting a need for targeted local responses.

Weston-super-Mare's crime rate in January 2024 remained stable at 9.6 per 1,000 residents, matching the previous month's figure. This consistency suggests no abrupt shift in criminal activity patterns during the transition from December to January. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 27 crimes per day — a figure that, while locally specific, provides a tangible sense of frequency for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 104 residents, highlighting the scale of exposure within the population. With a population of 87,022, this translates to a monthly aggregate that, while concerning, remains proportionally comparable to other similarly sized built-up areas. The stability in the rate contrasts with the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, underscoring the area's distinct position in national crime trends. This comparison is particularly notable given the local context of a coastal resort town with seasonal fluctuations in population and activity.