Somerset Crime Rate

Somerset currently maintains an overall crime rate of 87.1 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the UK national average of 91.6. The area holds a safety score of 79/100, aligning perfectly with the UK average, indicating a balanced safety environment. Recent data covering January 2025 to December 2025 shows that crime trends in Somerset are stable, with a minor year-over-year decrease of 0.7%. This suggests that the local authority is successfully managing its safety challenges. With a property crime rate of 24.6 per 1,000 (well below the UK average of 32.2), Somerset remains a relatively secure place for homeowners and businesses alike. The following sections provide a more detailed analysis of the specific crime types and trends within the region.

Somerset is a diverse local authority area that blends historic market towns, extensive rural landscapes, and growing urban centres. Its economy is supported by a mix of agriculture, tourism, and a developing green energy sector. The area features major transport links, including the M5 corridor, which can influence transient crime patterns. Somerset's demographics include a mix of established rural communities and younger populations in towns like Taunton and Yeovil. The presence of major tourist attractions and seasonal festivals also brings a fluctuating transient population, which can occasionally impact local crime statistics, particularly in relation to anti-social behaviour and public order during peak visitor months.

In Somerset, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which make up 43.4% of all reports, at a rate of 37.8 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue, accounting for 14.2% of incidents, followed by public order offences at 10.2%. These figures suggest that social interactions and public conduct are the main areas of concern for local law enforcement and residents.

Property crime in Somerset occurs at a total rate of 24.6 per 1,000 people per year. This broad category includes shoplifting (7.2 per 1,000), criminal damage and arson (6.1 per 1,000), and other theft (5.6 per 1,000). Burglary rates are relatively low at 2.7 per 1,000, while vehicle crime stands at 1.8 per 1,000. While property crime rates are lower than the UK average, the combined impact of theft and damage still requires attention from homeowners.

For the local community, these statistics indicate that while Somerset is generally safer than many other parts of the UK, personal safety and the protection of retail assets are key priorities. Homeowners benefit from a lower-than-average burglary risk, but maintaining basic security measures remains important to deter opportunistic theft, which still accounts for a significant portion of local property-related offences.

The crime trend in Somerset is currently stable, having seen a slight decrease of 0.7% over the last 12 months. This indicates a consistent safety landscape across the county. Data from 2025 shows that the crime rate per 1,000 people fluctuated moderately throughout the year. The year started with a low of 6.1 in February and 6.5 in January.

As the year progressed, rates increased slightly, peaking at 7.8 per 1,000 in October. The summer months also saw consistent activity, with rates around 7.3 to 7.5 from July through September. The year ended with a rate of 7.3 in December. This pattern suggests that while there are minor seasonal variations, Somerset does not experience extreme spikes in criminal activity. For residents, this stability means that long-term safety measures are likely to remain effective, and the general security environment is predictable.

In a regional context, Somerset's crime rate of 87.1 per 1,000 people places it as an area of higher activity compared to some of its more rural neighbours. Nearby districts such as Mid Devon, East Devon, North Devon, and the Vale of Glamorgan all reported crime rates of 0.0 per 1,000 in this data period. Similarly, larger urban centres like Cardiff also reported a 0.0 rate, though this may reflect different reporting boundaries or data availability. Somerset serves as a significant hub for the South West, and its crime figures reflect its role as a populated county with several major towns, contrasting with the more sparsely populated surrounding coastal and rural districts.

With a property crime rate of 24.6 per 1,000 residents in Somerset, homeowners are in a better position than much of the UK, but the risk of theft and damage remains present. Traditional security measures, like standard CCTV or basic alarm systems, are often reactive. They record a crime as it happens or alert you after a window has been smashed, which often leaves you with footage of a loss rather than preventing it.

For those seeking a higher level of security, proactive protection is the most effective choice. The scOS AI-powered home security system is designed to stop crime before it reaches your front door. By monitoring all your cameras simultaneously with intelligent AI, scOS can identify a potential intruder at your property boundary. It distinguishes between your family, delivery drivers, and genuine threats, only alerting you when necessary. With autonomous responses like activating lights and speakers, scOS destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on. This proactive approach turns your home from a potential target into a hard target, encouraging criminals to move on.

How To Keep Safe in Somerset

Violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crime type in Somerset, accounting for 43.4% of all incidents. To stay safe, it is important to be aware of your surroundings, particularly when walking in town centres late at night. Stick to well-lit main roads and avoid isolated areas like poorly lit parks or quiet footpaths.

If you are out in Somerset's towns for the evening, try to stay with friends and ensure you have a reliable way to get home. Anti-social behaviour is also a notable factor in the area (14.2% of crimes), so being mindful of local 'hotspots' and reporting any concerns to the local authorities can help improve community safety. For those living in more rural parts of the county, ensuring that outbuildings and farms are properly secured is vital, as these can sometimes be targets for opportunistic theft. Engaging with local community safety groups can also provide valuable regional safety updates.