Kingswood and Fishponds Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For an area with a population of 156,958, the 1,198 crimes recorded in May 2024 equate to one reported crime for every 131 residents over the course of the month. This crime rate of 7.6 per 1,000 residents places Kingswood and Fishponds 9.5% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently lower-than-average crime profile. The most significant category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41.2% of all crimes (493 incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (13.0%) and public order offences (9.5%). These figures align with the area's character as a built-up district within South Gloucestershire, where high-density residential areas and commercial hubs likely contribute to higher rates of interpersonal crime. The seasonal context of May—marked by bank holidays, extended evenings, and increased outdoor socialising—may partly explain the prominence of public order and anti-social behaviour offences, which often escalate during periods of heightened social activity. The area's property crime rate (386 incidents) was lower than the violent crime rate, a pattern consistent with urban centres where personal safety concerns often outweigh property-related risks. This balance between violent and property crime suggests a combination of local factors, including the presence of community policing initiatives and the spatial distribution of retail and residential zones.

May 2024 saw significant month-on-month fluctuations in specific crime categories. Theft from the person surged by 150% (from 2 to 5 incidents), marking one of the largest increases in the dataset. Similarly, drug-related offences rose sharply by 128.6% (from 7 to 16), a figure that may be linked to seasonal patterns of increased social interaction and alcohol consumption during longer evenings. Bicycle theft also doubled (from 5 to 10 incidents), potentially reflecting the influx of cyclists during warmer weather or the presence of high-traffic areas with limited secure parking. In contrast, vehicle crime declined by 7.2% (from 69 to 64 incidents), due to improved security measures in car parks or reduced vehicle density during the school holiday period. The area's violent crime rate (3.1 per 1,000) was 9% above the UK average for this category, a disparity that may be influenced by the proximity of public transport hubs and commercial centres, which can act as catalysts for interpersonal conflicts. Conversely, anti-social behaviour (1.0 per 1,000) was 31% below the UK average, suggesting effective community engagement strategies or a lower prevalence of alcohol-fuelled disputes in residential areas. These shifts in crime mix highlight the dynamic nature of local crime patterns, with some categories responding to immediate environmental factors while others reflect more enduring demographic trends.

The crime rate in Kingswood and Fishponds rose by 10.4% from 6.9 per 1,000 in April to 7.6 per 1,000 in May, indicating a notable upward trend over the past month. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 39 crimes per day in May, a figure that underscores the persistent need for community vigilance. When considering the monthly exposure, residents faced a 1-in-131 chance of being directly affected by a reported crime over the course of the month—a statistic that, while lower than the UK average, still reflects the realities of living in a densely populated urban environment. This rate is particularly significant when viewed through the lens of the area's population size, as it translates to a relatively manageable level of risk compared to larger cities with more pronounced socioeconomic disparities. The comparison to the UK average also reveals nuanced differences in crime distribution: while violent crime rates are slightly elevated, property-related offences such as burglary (0.2 per 1,000) and vehicle crime (0.4 per 1,000) are substantially lower than national benchmarks. These discrepancies suggest that the area's infrastructure, including its layout and public spaces, may play a role in deterring certain types of crime. Residents should note that while the overall rate remains below the UK average, the specific increases in theft from the person and drug-related offences warrant attention, particularly as these categories often have direct implications for personal safety and community cohesion.