Somerset Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For an area with over 588,000 residents, Somerset recorded 3,845 crimes in January 2025, translating to a crime rate of 6.5 per 1,000 people. This figure places the local authority 8.5% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 45.2% of total reports, followed by anti-social behaviour (11.2%) and shoplifting (9.1%). These patterns align with the seasonal context of January, a post-holiday period marked by reduced retail footfall and shorter days, which likely contribute to the observed distribution of crime types. Violence and sexual offences remain high compared to the UK average for this category, with rates at 3.0 per 1,000 versus the national 2.5 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour, however, is significantly lower than the UK average, with 0.7 per 1,000 compared to the national 1.0 per 1,000. The area's mix of rural and urban landscapes may explain these trends, with more densely populated centres experiencing higher rates of violence, while open spaces and lower population density in some areas could reduce opportunities for anti-social behaviour. Shoplifting rates also remain slightly below the UK average, consistent with the seasonal dip in retail activity and potential retail security measures in place during the post-holiday period.

January 2025 saw a notable shift in crime patterns compared to December 2024, with theft from the person increasing by 133.3% (3 to 7 cases), a stark contrast to the previous month's figures. Burglary also rose by 35%, from 120 to 162 incidents, potentially linked to increased domestic activity during the post-holiday period. Other crime, including unclassified incidents, surged by 21.1%, though the exact nature of these cases remains unclear. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 54.2% (24 to 11 cases), possibly reflecting seasonal changes in weapon-related incidents or improved enforcement. Bicycle theft, typically a concern in Somerset during colder months, decreased by 38.9% (18 to 11 cases), though the rate remains well below the UK average. Public order offences also declined by 6%, from 349 to 328, though the category still exceeds the UK average by 30%. The violence and sexual offences category remains a significant concern, with rates 20% above the UK average, while anti-social behaviour is 29% below the national benchmark. These variations highlight the combination of local factors, such as community engagement initiatives in certain areas and the influence of seasonal trends on specific crime types.

The crime rate in Somerset for January 2025 (6.5 per 1,000) was marginally lower than the previous month's rate of 6.6 per 1,000, indicating a stable trend with no significant month-on-month change. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 124 crimes per day, equating to roughly one reported crime for every 153 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a useful benchmark for residents to contextualise their personal risk, though it is essential to note that individual experiences may vary significantly based on location and lifestyle. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Somerset's crime profile is relatively moderate compared to the UK average, with the local authority's overall rate being 8.5% lower than the national figure. However, certain crime categories, such as violence and sexual offences, remain elevated relative to the UK average, while others like anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime are significantly lower. These disparities suggest that while the overall crime environment is stable, targeted efforts may be warranted in specific areas or for particular crime types to further reduce the gap between local and national rates.