Weston-super-Mare Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For an area with 87,022 residents, 845 crimes reported in January 2025 translates to a crime rate of 9.7 per 1,000 — 36.6% above the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This coastal resort town, known for its seaside promenade and seasonal tourism, saw violence and sexual offences dominate the crime profile, accounting for 45.9% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour (11.2%) and public order offences (9.2%) followed, both significantly above the UK average. The seasonal context of January — a post-holiday period with reduced retail footfall and shorter days — likely contributes to the pattern, as outdoor crimes typically decline during colder months. However, the high proportion of violent crime contrasts with the expected drop in such incidents during winter. This could reflect the area’s mix of permanent residents and transient visitors, or the impact of local factors such as late-night activity in the town’s hospitality sector. The breakdown also shows that shoplifting (7.8%) and criminal damage (7.2%) remain persistent issues, even as vehicle crime (4.5%) stays slightly below the UK average. These figures highlight the combination of local demographics and the area’s character as a tourist destination with a year-round population.

January 2025 saw sharp increases in criminal damage and arson, which rose by 64.9% compared to December (37 → 61 incidents). This surge may be linked to post-holiday property neglect or seasonal vandalism. Meanwhile, public order offences fell by 25.7% (105 → 78), possibly reflecting reduced foot traffic during the winter break. Violence and sexual offences — at 4.5 per 1,000 — were 79% above the UK average, a stark contrast to the national trend. Vehicle crime (0.4 per 1,000) remained slightly below the UK rate, a consistent feature for this area, due to its coastal location and limited car parks. Residents may find the 29% increase in shoplifting (66 incidents) concerning, though this remains below the UK average for the category. The 50% rise in robbery (4 → 6) and possession of weapons (2 → 3) adds to the sense of unease, though these figures are still relatively low in absolute terms. These shifts underscore the need for targeted measures in high-risk areas, such as the town centre and late-night venues.

The crime rate in Weston-super-Mare rose by 11.5% from 8.7 per 1,000 in December 2024 to 9.7 per 1,000 in January 2025. On a daily basis, the area experienced 27 crimes per day in January — a figure that, while not uncommon for a coastal resort, highlights the persistent nature of local issues. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 103 residents, a monthly exposure rate that suggests a moderate but notable risk for residents. When scaled to the population, this rate is 36.6% above the UK average, reflecting a pattern of higher-than-national violent crime and anti-social behaviour. The comparison to the previous month also reveals a shift in crime mix, with property crimes (249 incidents) accounting for 29.4% of total reports, compared to 45.9% for violent crimes. This suggests a slight increase in property-focused incidents relative to violent crime, though the overall trend remains dominated by personal safety concerns. These figures provide context for local authorities and residents to assess risks and plan responses, particularly in areas with high foot traffic or transient populations.