Axbridge Crime Rate

Axbridge is a historic and generally secure town in the Sedgemoor district, offering a high standard of safety for its residents. With an overall crime rate of 45.9 per 1,000 people, Axbridge is significantly safer than the UK average of 93.1. This is reflected in its strong safety score of 88/100, which comfortably exceeds the national average of 78. However, it is important to note that crime in Axbridge has seen an upward trend, increasing by 24.3% over the last year. While the total volume of crime remains low, this recent rise suggests that residents should remain vigilant. The following analysis explores the specific types of crime prevalent in the area and provides practical advice for maintaining security in this picturesque Somerset town.

Axbridge Crime Overview

The most significant crime categories in Axbridge are violence and sexual offences, which constitute 46.7% of all reports, followed by anti-social behaviour at 13.0% and criminal damage and arson at 9.8%. These figures highlight that personal safety and community conduct are the primary concerns for local residents.

When considering property crime, Axbridge has a rate of 13.5 per 1,000 people, which is well below the UK average of 32.9. This aggregate includes burglary (6.5%), vehicle crime (6.5%), and other theft (5.4%). For homeowners, the relatively low burglary and vehicle crime rates are positive indicators, though the combined impact of property-related offences still necessitates proactive security. Criminal damage and arson also factor into the property risk, representing nearly 10% of total crime. For residents, this means that while the overall risk of serious property loss is lower than in many other areas, protecting external assets and maintaining a secure home perimeter remains essential to deter opportunistic offences.

Axbridge has experienced a notable increase in criminal activity, with a 24.3% rise in total crime year-over-year. The monthly trend data for 2024-2025 reveals a fluctuating but generally upward trajectory. The crime rate per 1,000 residents started at 5.0 in November 2024 and dipped to a low of 0.5 in January 2025. However, it saw significant spikes in April (6.0) and especially in June, where it reached a peak of 8.0. Other months like July (5.5) also showed elevated activity. These fluctuations suggest that while Axbridge remains safe overall, the recent trend is one of increasing volatility. Residents should be aware that certain months, particularly in the late spring and early summer, have shown much higher volumes of crime than the annual average would suggest.

How To Keep Safe in Axbridge

The highest crime category in Axbridge is violence and sexual offences. While the overall numbers are low, personal safety is paramount. Here are several suggestions to help you stay safe:

1. Be aware of your surroundings, especially when walking alone after dark. Stick to well-lit main roads and avoid isolated shortcuts.
2. If you are socialising in local venues, always keep an eye on your drink and ensure you have a planned and safe way to return home with friends.
3. Trust your instincts; if a situation or person makes you feel uncomfortable, leave the area immediately and head towards a public, well-lit place.
4. Keep your mobile phone charged and easily accessible. Consider using safety apps that allow you to quickly alert emergency contacts if you feel threatened.
5. Report any incidents of harassment or suspicious behaviour to the local police. Your report could help prevent future incidents and assist in community safety planning.

Crime in Axbridge follows a distinct temporal pattern, with different risks emerging at different times of the day. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are heavily influenced by theft (38%) and vehicle-related offences (20%). During the afternoon (12pm-6pm), burglary risk reaches its peak at 30%, while theft remains high at 41%. In the evening (6pm-12am), the focus shifts towards 'other' crime types, which make up 38% of reports, though burglary and vehicle crime remain significant factors. Most notably, the night-time period (12am-6am) sees a major spike in vehicle crime, which accounts for 43% of all reported incidents during these hours. This data suggests that while property protection is vital during the day, vehicle security should be a primary concern overnight.

Axbridge sits in a relatively low-crime region of Somerset. When compared to the nearby larger village of Cheddar, which has a crime rate of 72.1 per 1,000, Axbridge is considerably safer. However, some of the very small surrounding communities such as Cross, Weare, and Lower Weare have recorded no crimes at all in the same period. For those looking for a balance between town amenities and a secure environment, Axbridge offers a compelling profile. It provides a more peaceful alternative to Cheddar while maintaining a safety standard that is high for an urban settlement of its size, despite the recent increase in reported incidents.

In Axbridge, where the crime rate has recently increased by 24.3%, the importance of robust home security has never been higher. With property crime accounting for 13.5 incidents per 1,000 residents, homeowners should look beyond traditional, reactive security. Systems like Ring or Nest are popular, but they primarily function by recording an event as it happens or after a sensor is triggered. For true peace of mind, a proactive system like scOS is the modern standard. scOS uses AI-powered multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries, identifying potential threats before they reach your front door. Whether it's the 30% of burglaries that happen in the afternoon or the vehicle crime that peaks at night, scOS provides 24/7 intelligent surveillance that can autonomously deter intruders using lights and sound. By choosing a system that prioritises prevention over mere recording, Axbridge residents can protect their homes and families more effectively, ensuring their property is not just another statistic in the recent upward trend.