Thornbury Crime Rate

Thornbury is a secure and desirable market town, boasting a high safety score of 84/100, which is well above the UK average of 79/100. The overall crime rate in the area is 66.3 per 1,000 people, significantly lower than the national average of 91.6. While recent data shows an increasing trend with a 10.3% rise year-over-year, Thornbury remains one of the safer urban settlements in South Gloucestershire. Property crime is notably low here, at just 16.4 per 1,000 residents, which is nearly half the national average. The following analysis provides a deeper look into the local crime breakdown, timing of incidents, and how Thornbury compares to surrounding areas, offering practical insights for residents to maintain their security.

Crime Breakdown in Thornbury

Thornbury is a safe and well-ordered market town, with violence and sexual offences being the most reported category at 44.9% (414 incidents). Anti-social behaviour and public order offences follow at 14.4% and 10.4% respectively. These figures reflect a town where personal safety is the primary concern, but actual crime volumes remain relatively low for its population.

Property crime in Thornbury occurs at a rate of 16.4 per 1,000 people, which is nearly half the national average of 32.2. Criminal damage and arson is the most frequent property crime, accounting for 6.1% of all offences, followed closely by shoplifting at 6.0%. Burglary represents 4.1% of total crime, while vehicle crime is notably low at just 1.4%. For homeowners, this data is very positive, suggesting a low risk of property intrusion or car theft. However, the presence of criminal damage and opportunistic theft suggests that visible security measures are still beneficial. Maintaining high standards of domestic security remains a wise investment to protect against the occasional opportunistic offender in this otherwise high-safety environment.

Crime Trends in Thornbury

Thornbury has experienced a 10.3% increase in crime year-over-year, indicating a noticeable upward trend in local offences. Analysis of the monthly data for 2025 shows that the crime rate was relatively stable during the first half of the year, fluctuating between 4.5 and 5.7 per 1,000 people, with a brief spike to 7.3 in June.

The second half of the year saw a more consistent rise in activity. The crime rate climbed from 4.7 in July to a peak of 6.5 in October, before slightly decreasing but remaining elevated at 6.3 in December. This end-of-year increase is a common pattern in market towns, often associated with the darker evenings of late autumn and the increased commercial activity surrounding the festive period. For residents, this trend suggests that while Thornbury remains safe overall, the winter months represent a period of heightened risk where additional security precautions are most beneficial.

How To Keep Safe in Thornbury

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Thornbury, representing 44.9% of all recorded incidents. While the town is generally very safe, maintaining personal awareness is key to staying secure.

When walking through the town centre or near local parks, stay alert and stick to well-lit, busy paths, especially after dark. Avoid using headphones or being distracted by your phone when walking alone at night. If you are socialising in local pubs or restaurants, always keep an eye on your belongings and plan your journey home in advance.

For property safety, given that burglary is most frequent at night, ensure your home is fully secured before going to bed. Double-check that all ground-floor windows and doors are locked. If you have a vehicle, always park it in a well-lit area and never leave any items on display, as even small objects can attract opportunistic thieves. Installing motion-sensor security lights around your driveway and front door is a simple but effective way to deter unwanted visitors. By staying aware and taking these basic precautions, you can help maintain the high level of safety that Thornbury is known for.

Crime Patterns in Thornbury

Criminal activity in Thornbury follows a clear daily pattern, with distinct risks at different times. The afternoon (12pm - 6pm) and morning (6am - 12pm) are the busiest periods for theft-related crimes, accounting for 46% and 47% of incidents respectively. This suggests that opportunistic theft and shoplifting are most prevalent during standard business and shopping hours.

However, the risk to residential property shifts as the day progresses. The percentage of crimes classified as burglary increases from 15% in the morning to 24% in the afternoon, before peaking at 31% during the night (12am - 6am). Similarly, vehicle crime is most concentrated at night, making up 19% of all offences in that period. The evening hours (6pm - 12am) see a rise in 'Other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 52% of reports. For residents, this data highlights that while the town is active with theft during the day, the most serious threats to the home occur under the cover of darkness.

Thornbury is located in a cluster of safe residential and rural areas north of Bristol. When compared to its closest neighbours, it presents a very favourable safety profile. It is significantly safer than larger urban hubs like Filton (107.8) or Patchway (158.1). It is most comparable to Alveston, which has a slightly lower crime rate of 48.1. Nearby rural areas like Tytherington, Rudgeway, and Oldbury-on-Severn report negligible crime rates. For those looking for a balance between town amenities and residential safety, Thornbury offers a more secure environment than the busier commercial hubs nearby.

Protecting Your Property in Thornbury

Thornbury's property crime rate of 16.4 per 1,000 people indicates a relatively low-risk environment for homeowners, yet the 10.3% increase in overall crime suggests that security should not be ignored. Property crimes like burglary and criminal damage, while less common than the national average, still account for a combined 10% of local offences. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or standard alarms, are reactive—they only provide evidence after a crime has been committed or alert you once an intruder is already inside.

For residents who want to ensure their home remains a hard target, scOS offers a proactive AI-powered alternative. By monitoring your property's boundaries in real-time, scOS can identify potential threats before a break-in is even attempted. The system's multi-camera intelligence learns to recognise your family and routines, ensuring that alerts are only sent for genuine threats. In the quiet streets of Thornbury, the autonomous response features of scOS—such as activating deterrent lighting or audio warnings—can effectively stop a burglar in their tracks. This prevention-first approach is far more effective at protecting your family and assets than simply recording footage of a crime in progress.