Kingswood and Fishponds Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

A sharp 200% increase in theft from the person in June 2023 stands out as the most unexpected shift in Kingswood and Fishponds' crime profile. This surge, from one reported incident in May to three in June, contrasts with broader trends of stability in other categories. The area's overall crime rate of 6.0 per 1,000 residents remains 29.4% below the UK average of 8.5, a consistent position that reflects the built-up area's lower crime exposure compared to major urban centres. Violence and sexual offences dominate the crime picture, accounting for 33.7% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.3%) and public order offences (10.1%). This mix suggests a focus on community-based issues rather than property crimes, which make up only 27.8% of the total. The seasonal context of June—longer daylight hours and the start of summer—may contribute to increased street-level interactions, though the exact connection to the theft spike remains speculative. The area's rates for violent crimes are 32% below UK averages, aligning with its character as a mixed-use residential and commercial zone with limited high-density housing. The relatively low burglary rate (0.3 per 1,000) and absence of significant spikes in vehicle crime (0.4 per 1,000) further reinforce the area's distinct crime profile compared to more industrial or tourist-heavy regions.

The most striking month-on-month change was a 200% increase in theft from the person, rising from one to three incidents. This jump, while small in absolute terms, highlights a potential shift in criminal activity patterns during the summer months. Conversely, robbery rates fell by 56.3%, dropping from 16 to 7, possibly reflecting reduced foot traffic during the early summer period. The area's crime mix remains heavily weighted towards violent and disorderly offences—violence and sexual offences alone account for 33.7% of all crimes, significantly higher than the UK average of 2.9 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour (1.0 per 1,000) and public order offences (0.6 per 1,000) also remain well below national levels, suggesting effective local policing or community engagement initiatives. Drug-related incidents saw a 71.4% increase, from seven to 12 cases, though this remains below the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. Residents may find the 0.4 per 1,000 rate for vehicle crime (59 incidents) particularly relevant, as this includes both theft and vandalism of vehicles, a category that often affects commuters and local businesses.

The crime rate in June 2023 (6.0 per 1,000) was stable compared to the previous month's rate of 5.9, showing a 0.3% change that indicates no significant seasonal volatility. Over the course of June, 31 crimes were reported per day on average—a figure that, while consistent with the area's historical norms, remains lower than the UK average. The monthly exposure metric reveals that one crime occurred for roughly every 168 residents, a rate that is 29.4% below the national average. This disparity is amplified when considering specific categories: robbery rates are 100% below UK averages, and bicycle theft (0.0 per 1,000) is also 100% below. The population context is critical here—Kingswood and Fishponds' 156,958 residents mean that even modest crime rates translate to absolute numbers that are manageable compared to larger urban areas. The stability in the overall rate, combined with the area's consistently low performance in violent and property crimes, suggests a crime profile that is more aligned with suburban or commuter-focused communities than with densely populated cities. This is supported by the absence of significant spikes in burglary (0.3 per 1,000) and the relatively low rate of other theft (0.4 per 1,000), which are typically higher in areas with more transient populations.