Burnham-on-Sea Crime Rate

Burnham-on-Sea is a secure coastal community with an overall crime rate of 69.2 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1. The town currently boasts a high safety score of 83/100, comfortably exceeding the national benchmark of 78. Recent data indicates a positive trend, with crime decreasing by 10.1% year-over-year. This suggests that the town is not only safer than much of the UK but is also continuing to improve its safety environment. While Burnham-on-Sea experiences the typical activity associated with a popular seaside resort, it remains a low-risk location for both residents and visitors. The following sections provide a detailed look at local crime patterns and safety advice.

Crime Breakdown in Burnham-on-Sea

Burnham-on-Sea's crime landscape is primarily composed of violence and sexual offences, which account for 46.0% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common category at 15.4%, followed by public order offences at 8.2%. As a popular coastal destination, these figures often reflect the seasonal influx of visitors and the town's active social scene.

For residents and homeowners, property crime is a significant consideration, with an overall rate of 18.0 per 1,000 people. This includes "other theft" (7.2%), criminal damage and arson (6.5%), and shoplifting (5.9%). Burglary accounts for 3.0% of the town's total crime, while vehicle crime represents 2.1%. While these rates are lower than the UK average of 32.9, the presence of criminal damage and theft suggests that opportunistic crime remains a risk. Homeowners should focus on securing their properties against these types of offences, especially during peak tourist seasons when the town is busiest.

Crime Trends in Burnham-on-Sea

The crime rate in Burnham-on-Sea is currently on a positive downward trend, with a 10.1% decrease in total reported incidents year-over-year. This improvement is reflected in the monthly data, which shows that after a peak in March 2025 (7.1) and August 2025 (7.1), the rates have generally remained lower than in previous periods.

The lowest crime intensity was recorded in January 2025, with a rate of 4.3 per 1,000 residents. The latter part of the year has shown a relatively stable pattern, with September and October recording 5.4 and 6.2 respectively. For residents, this decreasing trend is a reassuring sign that local safety is being maintained and improved. While seasonal fluctuations are to be expected in a coastal town, the overall trajectory indicates that Burnham-on-Sea remains a safe and increasingly secure environment for its community. Monitoring these monthly changes helps residents and local authorities stay ahead of any emerging patterns.

How To Keep Safe in Burnham-on-Sea

As violence and sexual offences are the most common crime category in Burnham-on-Sea, focusing on personal safety in public areas is the best way to stay secure.

1. Stay Aware in Busy Areas: During peak tourist seasons, the seafront and town centre can become very crowded. Keep your personal belongings secure and stay alert to your surroundings.
2. Stick to Well-Lit Routes: When walking home at night, use main roads with good street lighting and avoid shortcuts through parks or isolated beach areas.
3. Secure Your Property: Even in a safe area, always lock your doors and windows when leaving the house or going to bed. Visible security measures are a strong deterrent to opportunistic thieves.
4. Be Mindful of Alcohol: If you are enjoying the town's social scene, keep track of your drinks and stay with friends. Use licensed taxis to get home safely late at night.
5. Community Engagement: Join local social media safety groups or neighbourhood watch schemes to stay informed about any recent incidents or suspicious activity in the area.

Crime in Burnham-on-Sea follows a temporal pattern common to many coastal towns. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft-related offences are the primary concern, accounting for 54% and 56% of incidents respectively. This aligns with peak business and visitor activity. As the day transitions into evening (6pm - 12am), "other" crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order, rise to 50% of reports. The night-time period (12am - 6am) sees a significant shift in property risk; vehicle crime surges to 25% of incidents and burglary reaches its peak at 22%. These patterns suggest that while daytime crime is largely opportunistic theft, the late-night hours present a higher risk for more serious property and vehicle offences when the town is quietest.

Burnham-on-Sea occupies a safe middle-ground within its local region. It is significantly more secure than neighbouring Highbridge, which has a high crime rate of 209.1, and the larger town of Bridgwater (161.9). However, it is busier than smaller nearby settlements like Brent Knoll (45.1) or Edithmead, which recorded no crimes. The contrast with Highbridge is particularly stark, highlighting Burnham-on-Sea as the preferred residential choice for those seeking coastal living with a much lower statistical risk. This regional context shows that while the town is active, it maintains a level of safety that is superior to the primary urban hubs in Sedgemoor.

For residents of Burnham-on-Sea, maintaining the town's high safety standards requires a modern approach to home security. With a property crime rate of 18.0 per 1,000 people, the risk is lower than the national average, but the presence of criminal damage and theft means that homes are still potential targets. Traditional CCTV systems often only provide a record of an event after it has happened, which is a reactive form of protection.

scOS offers a proactive alternative by using AI-powered intelligence to monitor your property in real-time. It doesn't just record; it detects threats at the boundary, distinguishing between routine activity and suspicious behaviour. If an intruder is identified, scOS can autonomously trigger deterrents like lights or speakers, stopping a crime before it escalates. In a coastal town like Burnham-on-Sea, where seasonal activity can lead to opportunistic theft, scOS provides a powerful, proactive layer of security that ensures your home remains a hard target year-round.