Burnham-on-Sea Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Burnham-on-Sea

Burnham-on-Sea, a built-up area with a population of approximately 18,563, reports an overall crime rate of 69.7 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure is considerably lower than the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000, positioning Burnham-on-Sea as a relatively safer area. The town boasts an impressive safety score of 82 out of 100, significantly above the UK average safety score of 78/100. Furthermore, the area has experienced a positive trend, with a notable decrease of 8.5% in crime year-over-year. This introduction provides a positive overview of Burnham-on-Sea's crime situation, which will be further explored in the following sections detailing specific crime types, trends, and comparisons with nearby areas.

Crime Type Analysis in Burnham-on-Sea

In Burnham-on-Sea, the most significant crime type is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 611 incidents, which is 32.9 per 1,000 residents and 47.2% of all recorded crimes. Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent concern, with 198 reported crimes (10.7 per 1,000, 15.3% of total), indicating issues around public nuisance. Public order offences rank third, with 112 incidents (6.0 per 1,000, 8.7% of total), often related to disturbances in public spaces.

Property-related crime in Burnham-on-Sea stands at a rate of 17.1 per 1,000 people per year, which is significantly lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. This category includes burglary (38 crimes, 2.0 per 1,000), criminal damage and arson (82 crimes, 4.4 per 1,000), other theft (80 crimes, 4.3 per 1,000), vehicle crime (28 crimes, 1.5 per 1,000), shoplifting (72 crimes, 3.9 per 1,000), robbery (10 crimes, 0.5 per 1,000), and bicycle theft (3 crimes, 0.2 per 1,000). The comparatively lower property crime rate suggests a generally safer environment for homeowners and residents, though vigilance and appropriate security measures remain important to maintain this positive trend.

Crime Trends in Burnham-on-Sea

Burnham-on-Sea has experienced a positive crime trend over the last year, with a significant decrease of 8.5% year-over-year. This downward shift indicates a notable improvement in overall safety compared to the previous 12-month period. Analysing the monthly trend data reveals fluctuations, but with an overall decreasing pattern. The crime rate per 1,000 residents saw a low of 4.3 in January 2025 and 4.4 in December 2024, compared to higher rates earlier in the year, such as 6.7 in October 2024 and a peak of 7.1 in August 2025 (though still lower than previous years). The rate in September 2025 was 5.4 per 1,000. These patterns suggest that efforts to reduce crime are yielding results. For residents, this decreasing trend is reassuring, contributing to a sense of enhanced safety and well-being within the community.

Understanding Crime Time Patterns in Burnham-on-Sea

Crime patterns in Burnham-on-Sea exhibit distinct hourly and daily variations, providing valuable insights into local risks. During the morning (6am-12pm), theft-related offences are most prevalent, constituting 52% of crimes, likely due to increased activity in commercial areas and people leaving their homes. Burglary also accounts for 11% of incidents, suggesting vulnerability when properties are unattended.

In the afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft continues to dominate at 54%, coinciding with peak shopping hours. Burglary rises to 17%, indicating that residential properties may still be targets during these hours. As the day progresses into the evening (6pm-12am), the crime landscape shifts. Theft significantly decreases to 23%, while 'Other' crimes, which can include public order disturbances, rise to 50%. Burglary remains a concern at 17%, often targeting homes as darkness falls.

The night hours (12am-6am) present a heightened risk for specific crime types. Burglary peaks at 23%, and vehicle crime is highest at 26%, as properties are often unoccupied and vehicles are parked overnight. Theft reduces to 13%, but 'Other' crimes remain substantial at 38%. These patterns underscore the importance of securing homes and vehicles during late evenings and overnight.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

Burnham-on-Sea generally maintains a favourable crime profile when compared to several nearby areas. Edithmead and Brent Knoll, for example, also exhibit relatively low crime rates, suggesting a broader safe regional context. Highbridge, however, shows a considerably higher overall crime rate, indicating variations in safety within the immediate vicinity. Berrow and Brean, another coastal community nearby, also has a higher crime rate than Burnham-on-Sea. These comparisons provide valuable regional context, highlighting Burnham-on-Sea's position as one of the safer urban settlements in the area. Understanding these local differences is crucial for residents and those considering the region, allowing for informed decisions regarding safety and community environment.

Enhancing Security in Burnham-on-Sea

With Burnham-on-Sea's property crime rate of 17.1 per 1,000 residents being significantly lower than the UK average, the area benefits from a relatively secure environment. However, proactive security measures are always beneficial to maintain and enhance this safety. Traditional security solutions, such as basic alarm systems or CCTV, often only provide alerts or recordings once a break-in has occurred, acting reactively rather than preventatively. In contrast, scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, offers a proactive approach to protecting your property.

scOS is designed to prevent crime before it happens by detecting threats at the property boundary, rather than simply recording an event. Its multi-camera intelligence and pattern learning capabilities allow it to distinguish between routine activities and genuine threats, only alerting on real dangers. This means that unlike systems that notify you after the fact, scOS intervenes in real-time. For residents in Burnham-on-Sea, investing in professional-grade equipment like scOS ensures that potential intruders are deterred within those critical 60 seconds, making them move on and providing a robust layer of protection against property crime, even in a generally safer area.