Kingswood and Fishponds Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Kingswood and Fishponds recorded a crime rate of 7.0 per 1,000 residents in August 2023, placing it 13.6% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This performance reflects a combination of local factors and broader regional trends. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 34% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (18%) and shoplifting (10.6%). These figures align with the area’s character as a built-up district within South Gloucestershire, where community policing and local initiatives may contribute to lower-than-average rates for most categories. However, the rise in shoplifting—now 17% above the UK average—suggests challenges in retail security, potentially linked to August’s peak holiday season and increased foot traffic in commercial zones. The overall crime rate remains lower than the UK average, a pattern consistent with areas where community engagement and targeted interventions have historically reduced crime. Seasonal factors, such as the influx of tourists and the temporary vacancy of homes during summer, may also influence patterns like criminal damage and arson, which saw a 78.8% month-on-month increase. While direct causation, these trends are consistent with the area’s seasonal rhythms and demographic profile.

August 2023 saw significant shifts in crime patterns across Kingswood and Fishponds. Bicycle theft surged by 100%, rising from 7 to 14 incidents, a stark contrast to the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. This increase may reflect heightened summer cycling activity and potential vulnerabilities in local bike storage. Concurrently, criminal damage and arson jumped 78.8% to 93 incidents, the highest monthly total for this category since at least 2021. This spike is 5% below the UK average but remains a concern for local authorities, possibly linked to seasonal neglect of properties during August holidays. Shoplifting also rose sharply, with a 43.2% increase to 116 incidents—17% above the UK average—highlighting pressures on retail security during peak tourist periods. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 50%, from 4 to 2 incidents, and other crime dropped by 50% to 9 cases. These declines may indicate the effectiveness of recent policing efforts or reduced opportunities for opportunistic crimes during August’s structured holiday schedule. The data underscores a mixed picture: while violent crime remains the largest category (34%), its rate of 2.4 per 1,000 is 9% below the UK average, suggesting local strategies may be mitigating some risks.

August 2023 marked a 17.2% increase in Kingswood and Fishponds’ crime rate compared to July, rising from 5.9 to 7.0 per 1,000 residents. This monthly jump, while notable, still leaves the area significantly safer than the UK average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 35 crimes per day in August—a figure that, while context-dependent, is lower than many comparable urban centres. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 144 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average when considering the area’s population density. With 156,958 residents, the local context means that crime impacts are distributed across a larger population base than in smaller towns, potentially reducing per capita pressure on community resources. The previous month’s lower rate may have been influenced by July’s more settled conditions, with fewer holidays and a different seasonal rhythm. August’s higher rate, however, does not necessarily indicate a long-term trend, as crime patterns in this built-up area often fluctuate seasonally. The comparison to the UK average remains clear: despite the monthly increase, Kingswood and Fishponds continue to perform better than the national average in most crime categories, a position likely reinforced by local infrastructure and policing priorities.