North Petherton Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in North Petherton

North Petherton, a built-up area with a population of approximately 5,959 residents, reports an overall crime rate of 68.7 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000, positioning North Petherton as a comparatively safer location. The area boasts an impressive safety score of 83 out of 100, well above the UK average safety score of 78/100. However, the area has experienced an increasing trend in crime over the past year, with a 10.2% rise year-over-year. This introduction provides an overview of North Petherton's crime situation, which will be further detailed in the following sections on specific crime types, trends, and comparisons with nearby areas.

Crime Type Analysis in North Petherton

In North Petherton, the crime landscape is primarily influenced by violence and sexual offences, which account for 193 incidents, representing 32.4 per 1,000 residents and 47.2% of all recorded crimes. Anti-social behaviour is the second most frequent concern, with 57 reported crimes (9.6 per 1,000, 13.9% of total), indicating issues around public nuisance. Public order offences rank third, with 49 incidents (8.2 per 1,000, 12.0% of total), often linked to disturbances in public spaces.

Property-related crime in North Petherton stands at a rate of 14.8 per 1,000 people per year, which is considerably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000. This category includes criminal damage and arson (33 crimes, 5.5 per 1,000), other theft (22 crimes, 3.7 per 1,000), shoplifting (18 crimes, 3.0 per 1,000), vehicle crime (8 crimes, 1.3 per 1,000), burglary (4 crimes, 0.7 per 1,000), robbery (2 crimes, 0.3 per 1,000), and bicycle theft (1 crime, 0.2 per 1,000). The significantly lower property crime rate suggests a generally secure environment for homeowners and residents, although maintaining vigilance and appropriate security measures is always prudent.

Crime Trends in North Petherton

North Petherton has experienced an increasing crime trend over the last year, with a 10.2% rise year-over-year. This upward shift indicates a noticeable increase in overall crime levels compared to the previous 12-month period. Analysing the monthly trend data reveals fluctuations throughout the year. The crime rate per 1,000 residents saw a low of 2.4 in December 2024, followed by a general increase, peaking at 7.1 in May 2025. The rate in September 2025 was 5.5 per 1,000. These patterns suggest varying influences on crime, which residents should be aware of. The increasing trend highlights the importance of continued vigilance and effective security strategies within the community.

Understanding Crime Time Patterns in North Petherton

Crime patterns in North Petherton show varying trends across different times of the day. In the morning (6am-12pm), theft is the most prevalent crime, accounting for 49% of incidents, often coinciding with residents leaving for work or school. Burglary also contributes, making up 4% of crimes during these hours, suggesting that unattended properties can be vulnerable.

During the afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft remains high at 54%, likely driven by increased activity in commercial and public areas. Burglary sees a slight increase to 8%, indicating that residential properties may still be targeted during daylight hours. As the day progresses into the evening (6pm-12am), the crime landscape shifts. Theft decreases to 21%, while 'Other' crimes, which can include public order disturbances, rise significantly to 64%. Burglary is also present at 7%, as darkness provides more cover.

In the night hours (12am-6am), specific crime types become more pronounced. Vehicle crime peaks at 24%, and burglary accounts for 10% of incidents, as vehicles are parked and properties are often unoccupied. Theft reduces to 13%, but 'Other' crimes remain high at 54%. These patterns highlight the importance of securing homes and vehicles during the overnight period when residential areas are quieter.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

North Petherton's crime rate can be contextualised by comparing it with several nearby areas. Compass and North Newton, both smaller settlements, typically show varying crime profiles, but often with lower overall crime numbers due to smaller populations. Bridgwater, a larger urban centre, generally experiences a significantly higher overall crime rate than North Petherton, positioning North Petherton as a comparatively safer area within the wider region. Moorland, another nearby rural area, also tends to have a lower crime rate. These comparisons provide valuable regional context for residents and those considering moving to or within the North Petherton area, highlighting local differences in safety and crime patterns.

Enhancing Security in North Petherton

Despite North Petherton's property crime rate of 14.8 per 1,000 residents being considerably lower than the UK average, proactive security remains a vital consideration, especially with a recent upward trend in overall crime. Traditional security solutions, such as simple alarm systems or cameras, often only serve to record an incident after a break-in has occurred, rather than actively preventing it. For true peace of mind, an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS offers a more advanced and preventative approach.

scOS is designed to prevent crime at the property boundary, detecting threats before they can escalate. Its multi-camera intelligence works simultaneously to monitor your entire property, learning routines and only alerting on real threats. This proactive intervention, including autonomous responses like activating lights and engaging speakers, is crucial in deterring burglars within those critical 60 seconds. For homeowners in North Petherton, choosing professional-grade equipment like scOS means moving beyond reactive recording to a system that actively intervenes, providing a robust layer of protection against property crime and enhancing overall safety in the community.