North Petherton Crime Rate

North Petherton is a safe and well-established community with an overall crime rate of 71.7 per 1,000 residents. This figure is notably lower than the UK average of 93.1, highlighting the town's secure residential environment. North Petherton currently holds a high safety score of 83/100, which is significantly better than the national benchmark of 78. However, recent data shows an increasing trend, with a 13.0% rise in total crime year-over-year. While the town remains a low-risk location, this upward movement suggests that residents should be mindful of shifting patterns in local activity. The following sections provide a detailed analysis of crime types and temporal patterns to help the community stay informed and secure.

Crime Breakdown in North Petherton

North Petherton's crime profile is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 45.7% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common category at 15.7%, followed by public order offences at 12.9%. These figures are typical for an active town that serves as both a residential area and a key link between larger urban centres like Bridgwater and Taunton.

For residents and property owners, the overall property crime rate is 15.1 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.9. The breakdown includes criminal damage and arson (7.7%), other theft (5.6%), and shoplifting (4.7%). Burglary and vehicle crime are relatively rare, accounting for only 1.2% and 1.4% of total crime respectively. While property crime is low, the prevalence of criminal damage and theft suggests that residents should still remain vigilant. Protecting your home and belongings with visible security measures remains an effective way to maintain the town's high safety standards.

Crime Trends in North Petherton

The crime rate in North Petherton is currently increasing, with a 13.0% rise in total reported incidents year-over-year. Monthly data shows that after a relatively low start to the year, crime rates began to climb in the spring and reached their highest point in October 2025 with a rate of 9.4 per 1,000 residents.

Other high-intensity months included May 2025 (7.1) and August 2025 (6.7). The lowest rate was recorded in December 2024 at 2.4. This upward trend suggests that while North Petherton remains a safe town, there has been a notable increase in reported activity over the last twelve months. For residents, this means that staying informed about local safety and taking proactive steps to secure property is more important than ever. Monitoring these monthly fluctuations can help the community and local authorities respond more effectively to emerging patterns.

How To Keep Safe in North Petherton

As violence and sexual offences are the most common crime category in North Petherton, focusing on personal safety and situational awareness is the most effective way to stay secure.

1. Be Aware of Your Surroundings: When walking through the town, especially at night, stay in well-lit areas and avoid using headphones, which can reduce your awareness of what is happening around you.
2. Secure Your Property: Even with a low burglary rate, always lock your windows and doors when leaving the house or going to bed. Visible security measures are a strong deterrent to opportunistic offenders.
3. Plan Your Travel: If you are out late, use a reputable taxi service or arrange a lift with friends. Avoid walking long distances alone during the late-night hours.
4. Report Suspicious Activity: If you notice unusual behaviour or individuals loitering in residential streets, report it to the police on 101. This helps prevent anti-social behaviour from escalating.
5. Community Vigilance: Engaging with local neighbourhood watch schemes can provide valuable information about recent incidents and help foster a safer environment for everyone.

Crime in North Petherton follows a temporal pattern linked to daily activity. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), theft-related offences are the primary concern, accounting for 50% and 55% of incidents respectively. This aligns with peak business and travel hours. As evening falls (6pm - 12am), "other" crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order, rise significantly to 66% of reports. The night-time period (12am - 6am) sees a shift in property risk; vehicle crime surges to 20% of incidents and burglary reaches its peak at 10%. 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.

North Petherton offers a safer residential alternative to the nearby urban centre of Bridgwater, which has a significantly higher crime rate of 161.9. This makes it an attractive choice for those who work in the area but prefer a quieter home environment. However, when compared to very small neighbouring hamlets like North Newton, Compass, or Moorland—all of which recorded no crimes—North Petherton is naturally more active. This regional context positions North Petherton as a safe, mid-sized town that provides a high level of security while still being close to major employment and social hubs. Understanding these local differences is key to evaluating the town's overall safety profile.

Maintaining the high safety standards of North Petherton requires a forward-thinking approach to home security. With a property crime rate of 15.1 per 1,000 people, the risk is lower than in many other parts of Somerset, but the 13.0% increase in overall crime suggests that residents should not be complacent. Traditional security measures like standard alarms or DIY cameras are often reactive, only providing alerts after an incident has begun.

scOS offers a proactive solution by using AI-powered intelligence to prevent crime before it happens. By monitoring your property's boundaries in real-time, scOS can distinguish between normal activity and a genuine threat. If an intruder is detected, the system can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting or audio warnings, often stopping a crime at the perimeter. For residents of North Petherton, this means moving from simply recording a burglary to actively preventing it. Investing in proactive protection ensures your home remains a hard target, helping to counteract the recent local increase in reported incidents.