Kingswood and Fishponds Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For an area of 156,958 residents, the 931 crimes recorded in May 2023 translate to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 169 residents over the course of the month. This rate of 5.9 crimes per 1,000 residents places Kingswood and Fishponds 26.2% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, a disparity consistent with the area's character as a built-up district within South Gloucestershire. The crime profile shows a clear emphasis on interpersonal and public order issues, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 34.9% of total crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (17.7%) and public order offences (10.4%). This pattern aligns with the area's mix of residential and commercial zones, where social interactions in public spaces may contribute to higher rates of disorder-related incidents. Seasonal factors in May—longer evenings, increased outdoor socialising, and bank holidays—likely amplify these trends, particularly for public order offences and alcohol-fuelled violence. The relatively low rates of property crimes compared to the UK average (318 property crimes vs 34.9% of total) suggest that the area's built-up nature may reduce opportunities for burglary or vehicle crime, though this remains a minor component of the local crime picture. The data also highlights a notable absence of drug-related offences, with rates 100% below the UK average, reflecting community policing efforts or demographic characteristics that differ from national trends.

May 2023 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with other crime increasing by 128.6% (from 7 to 16 incidents) and bicycle theft surging by 120% (from 5 to 11). Robbery also rose sharply by 60%, though this remains a minor category at just 1.7% of total crimes. Conversely, theft from the person fell dramatically by 85.7% (from 7 to 1), a decline that may reflect seasonal changes or targeted community interventions. The area's performance against UK averages reveals stark contrasts: violence and sexual offences are 24% below the UK rate, while shoplifting is 2% above. Anti-social behaviour is 17% below the UK average, a figure that could indicate effective local policing strategies or community engagement initiatives. The relatively low rate of drug-related offences (100% below UK average) stands out as a significant deviation, though the small number of incidents (7) means this category warrants cautious interpretation. These shifts underscore the dynamic nature of local crime patterns and the importance of contextual factors—such as the area's built-up environment and seasonal rhythms—in shaping monthly trends.

The crime rate in May 2023 (5.9 per 1,000) marked a 2.2% increase from the previous month's rate of 5.8, though this remains well below the UK average. Daily crime statistics show an average of 30 reported incidents per day, a figure that provides residents with a tangible sense of the pace at which crimes occur in their local area. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure of one crime for every 169 residents illustrates the relative safety of the area, even as specific categories like robbery and bicycle theft show notable increases. This population-scaled perspective highlights that while the overall rate is low, certain types of crime may still require targeted attention. The comparison to the UK average further reinforces the area's distinct profile: with violent crime rates 24% below the national average and drug-related offences 100% below, Kingswood and Fishponds demonstrate a crime picture that diverges from broader trends. This contrast may reflect local characteristics such as the area's built-up nature, which could reduce opportunities for certain crimes while creating conditions where others—like public order offences—become more prevalent. The data thus illustrates a community with a generally low crime burden, but one where specific interventions may be needed to address emerging trends like the sharp rise in bicycle theft.