Kingswood and Fishponds Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Kingswood and Fishponds recorded a crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents in December 2023, placing it 19.4% below the UK average of 7.2. This built-up area within South Gloucestershire shows a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 45% of all reported incidents—28% more than property crimes (310 cases). The seasonal context of December, marked by Christmas shopping, dark evenings, and holiday-related absences from homes, likely contributes to patterns observed. Violence and sexual offences, at 2.6 per 1,000, align closely with the UK average but remain the dominant category, suggesting persistent challenges in community safety despite the overall lower rate. Public order offences, however, stand out as a notable deviation, with a rate of 0.6 per 1,000—25% higher than the UK average. This may reflect heightened tensions during festive periods or issues related to local events and gatherings. Anti-social behaviour, conversely, is significantly lower than the UK average (46% below), potentially indicating effective community policing or strong local engagement in maintaining order. The data underscores a combination of seasonal factors and the area’s character as a suburban hub with mixed residential and commercial zones, where targeted interventions could further address persistent issues like public order disturbances.

December 2023 saw a 33.3% increase in drug-related offences, with cases rising from 9 to 12—a sharp contrast to the 55.6% drop in bicycle theft, which fell from 9 to 4. This shift may reflect seasonal patterns, with holidays reducing opportunities for bike theft while substance use trends during the festive season could drive the rise in drug offences. Violent crime, though remaining the most common category, was 1% below the UK average (2.6 vs 2.6 per 1,000), suggesting local initiatives may be mitigating some risks. Public order offences, however, surged 25% above the UK average, with 86 incidents recorded—a figure that could indicate challenges in managing crowds or enforcing regulations during the Christmas shopping peak. Other theft also rose by 12.3%, from 57 to 64, linked to increased retail activity. Conversely, theft from the person fell by 50%, aligning with typical holiday patterns where fewer people carry valuables in public. These fluctuations highlight the area’s vulnerability to seasonal crime dynamics, with property crime rates consistently lower than the UK average across categories like vehicle crime (33% below) and burglary (14% below), due to effective security measures in residential areas.

Kingswood and Fishponds’ crime rate fell by 7.2% from 6.3 per 1,000 in November to 5.8 per 1,000 in December 2023, reflecting a sustained decline in overall criminal activity. This drop is evident in daily crime figures, with 30 crimes reported per day—equivalent to one incident for every 172 residents over the course of the month. While this monthly exposure rate is lower than many comparable areas, it remains a tangible reminder of the need for vigilance. The population context is critical: with 156,958 residents, the 915 total crimes represent a relatively low proportion of the population, but the concentration of violent crime (412 cases) indicates pockets of higher risk. Residents may find the 25% above UK average for public order offences particularly relevant, as it suggests that local events or community dynamics could be contributing to this category. Comparing this to the UK average also reveals strengths, such as anti-social behaviour being 46% below the national rate, which might reflect successful community engagement or policing strategies. The contrast between property crime rates (all below UK averages) and the persistent dominance of violent crime highlights the need for targeted interventions that address both seasonal spikes and long-term trends.