Weston-super-Mare Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Weston-super-Mare recorded 806 crimes in January 2026, a rate of 9.3 per 1,000 residents—36.8% above the UK average. For a population of 87,022, this translates to one crime for every 108 residents over the month, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents in a way that residents can relate to. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 48.1% of all reported incidents, a category that occurs at a rate 80% higher than the UK average. This stark disparity highlights the town’s unique challenges, particularly in areas with high foot traffic or nightlife activity, where elevated levels of violent crime may be linked to transient populations or social dynamics. Anti-social behaviour followed at 11%, and public order offences at 9.2%, both significantly above national rates. These figures contrast with shoplifting, which was 12% below the UK average, suggesting that local retail strategies or community engagement efforts may be contributing to this deviation. The seasonal context of January—post-holiday, reduced retail footfall, and shorter days—likely influenced the crime profile, with certain categories, such as vehicle crime, declining by 30% compared to the previous month. However, the persistent elevation in violent crime relative to the UK average indicates a deeper issue requiring targeted intervention. The town’s coastal geography and nightlife scene may exacerbate these trends, necessitating a focus on community policing and prevention initiatives. While the overall rate saw a modest 6.7% decrease from December, the underlying patterns suggest that sustained efforts are needed to address the root causes of violence and sexual offences, which remain the most pressing concern for residents.

The most significant month-on-month change was a 45.5% increase in robbery incidents, rising from 11 to 16 cases. This sharp rise, though small in absolute terms, may reflect shifts in criminal behaviour during the post-holiday period, when transient populations and reduced retail activity could create opportunities for targeted crimes. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 66.7%, dropping from 3 to 1, a decline likely linked to reduced foot traffic in retail areas during January. Vehicle crime also decreased by 30%, aligning with seasonal context such as shorter days and fewer outdoor events. A stark contrast to the UK average emerged in the category of violence and sexual offences, which occurred at a rate of 4.5 per 1,000—80% higher than the national figure. This discrepancy underscores the unique challenges faced by Weston-super-Mare, where the town’s coastal character and nightlife may contribute to elevated levels of violent crime. Meanwhile, shoplifting remained 12% below the UK average, a positive anomaly that could be attributed to local retail strategies or enforcement efforts. These fluctuations in specific categories highlight the need for real-time data analysis to inform targeted interventions.

Weston-super-Mare’s crime rate in January 2026 fell to 9.3 per 1,000 residents, a 6.7% reduction from the previous month’s 9.9 per 1,000. This decline, though modest, aligns with typical seasonal patterns observed in coastal towns during the post-holiday period, when reduced tourism and shorter daylight hours may dampen certain types of criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area recorded 26 crimes per day, a figure that reflects the local rhythm of activity and provides a tangible benchmark for residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 108 residents, a statistic that underscores the frequency of incidents within the population. When scaled to the town’s population of 87,022, the crime rate is 36.8% above the UK average, a disparity that highlights the need for tailored policing strategies. The most striking contrast to the UK average lies in the category of violence and sexual offences, which occur at a rate of 4.5 per 1,000—80% higher than the national figure. This gap suggests that the town’s unique socio-economic dynamics, including its coastal nightlife and transient population, may contribute to elevated levels of violent crime. Conversely, shoplifting remains 12% below the UK average, a deviation that could be linked to local retail security measures or community engagement efforts. These variations illustrate the importance of granular analysis in addressing local crime challenges.