Local Area Crime Statistics

South Somerset Crime Rate

Crime is stable and MODERATE in South Somerset

South Somerset crime rate is 85.9 per 1,000, lower than UK average. Safety score is 79/100. Get detailed crime statistics.

Overall Crime Rate

85.9
per 1,000 people
8% lower than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

24.3
per 1,000 people
27% lower than UK avg

Based on population of 157,500 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for South Somerset

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in South Somerset
Overall Crime Rate85.9 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate24.3 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score79 out of 100
Population157,500
Trendstable
Comparisonlower than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in South Somerset
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences5,8213743%
Anti-social behaviour1,85511.814%
Public order1,3868.810%
Shoplifting1,1277.28%
Criminal damage and arson9185.87%
Other theft8535.46%
Burglary4462.83%
Vehicle crime31622%
Other crime31322%
Drugs1751.11%
Robbery1050.71%
Possession of weapons730.51%
Bicycle theft240.10%
Theft from the person100.10%

Introduction to Crime Statistics in South Somerset

South Somerset presents a crime rate of 85.9 per 1,000 people per year, indicating a generally safer environment when compared to the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. The area's safety score stands at 79 out of 100, slightly above the national average of 78, reflecting a relatively low risk of crime for its 157,500 residents. Over the past year, crime trends in South Somerset have remained stable, with a modest 1.7% year-over-year change. This introduction sets the scene for a more detailed examination of specific crime types, local trends, and comparisons with neighbouring areas, providing a comprehensive overview of the crime landscape in South Somerset.

South Somerset Safety Score

79
Safe
Safety Score out of 100

South Somerset has a relatively good safety score compared to the UK average (78).

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

Crime Rates Across South Somerset

Chard

113.3
per 1,000
High Risk

Yeovil

107.9
per 1,000
High Risk

Wincanton

94.2
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Ilchester

94.0
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Crewkerne

87.5
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

South Petherton

83.6
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Burton (South Somerset)

83.4
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Castle Cary

81.9
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

Langport

78.0
per 1,000
Low Risk

Barwick and Stoford

77.6
per 1,000
Low Risk

Montacute

76.3
per 1,000
Low Risk

Templecombe

70.4
per 1,000
Low Risk

Crime Rate Risk Levels

Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

About South Somerset

South Somerset is a diverse local authority district characterised by a mix of market towns, rural villages, and extensive agricultural land. Its predominantly rural nature, interspersed with smaller urban centres like Yeovil, contributes significantly to its crime statistics. The area benefits from a strong community feel in many of its smaller settlements, which can naturally deter certain types of crime. However, the presence of transport links and commercial hubs in its larger towns, such as Yeovil, can attract opportunistic theft and anti-social behaviour. The population of 157,500 is spread across a wide geographical area, with varying population densities. Economic factors, including local employment opportunities and the nature of local businesses, also play a role in shaping the crime landscape, influencing both the types and frequency of offences reported within the district.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
5,821 incidents (37 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
1,855 incidents (11.8 per 1,000)
Public order
1,386 incidents (8.8 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
1,127 incidents (7.2 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
918 incidents (5.8 per 1,000)
Other theft
853 incidents (5.4 per 1,000)
Burglary
446 incidents (2.8 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
316 incidents (2 per 1,000)
Other crime
313 incidents (2 per 1,000)
Drugs
175 incidents (1.1 per 1,000)
Robbery
105 incidents (0.7 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
73 incidents (0.5 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
24 incidents (0.1 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
10 incidents (0.1 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

↑ 9.9% change(over 12 months)
South Somerset
UK Average

Compare South Somerset with similar populations

South Somerset has a 8.0% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Type Analysis in South Somerset

An in-depth look at crime types in South Somerset reveals that Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent, accounting for 5,821 crimes, or 43.4% of all reported incidents, at a rate of 37.0 per 1,000 people. This is followed by Anti-social behaviour, with 1,855 recorded crimes (13.8% of the total), and Public order offences, which make up 10.3% of all crimes with 1,386 incidents. Focusing on property-related crime, South Somerset experiences a rate of 24.3 per 1,000 people per year, which is notably lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This category encompasses crimes such as burglary (446 incidents), other theft (853 incidents), vehicle crime (316 incidents), criminal damage and arson (918 incidents), robbery (105 incidents), bicycle theft (24 incidents), and theft from the person (10 incidents). For residents and homeowners, this lower property crime rate suggests a comparatively reduced risk to personal belongings and properties. However, remaining vigilant and implementing robust security measures remains advisable to protect against these types of offences.

Crime Trends in South Somerset

South Somerset has experienced a stable crime trend over the last year, with a slight year-over-year increase of 1.7%. Analysing the monthly crime rate per 1,000 people reveals some fluctuations within this stable pattern. The crime rate saw a dip in early 2025, reaching a low of 6.2 in February, following a gradual decrease from 7.1 in October 2024. However, there was a noticeable increase in May 2025, reaching 8.1, before stabilising again. The rate continued to fluctuate in the latter half of 2025, ending at 7.8 in September. This relatively consistent pattern suggests that while there isn't a significant upward or downward trajectory, residents should be aware of minor monthly variations. The overall stability indicates that the general crime environment has not drastically changed, but it underscores the importance of ongoing awareness and community safety efforts.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

For those seeking regional context, South Somerset generally maintains a favourable position compared to the wider UK average. As a Local Authority District, direct comparisons with smaller, specific built-up areas (BUAs) within its boundaries, such as Yeovil, Chard, Crewkerne, Wincanton, Somerton, Ilminster, Martock, Castle Cary, Langport, Milborne Port, Bruton, Tatworth, Curry Rivel, Merriott, Combe St Nicholas, South Petherton, Templecombe, Henstridge, and Keinton Mandeville, offer a more granular understanding. While South Somerset's overall crime rate of 85.9 per 1,000 is below the national average, specific urban centres within it may experience higher rates due to population density and commercial activity. For instance, Yeovil has a higher crime rate of 107.9 per 1,000, while smaller, more rural BUAs like Ilminster (53.5 per 1,000) and Somerton (56.6 per 1,000) demonstrate significantly lower figures, highlighting the varied crime landscape across the district.

Enhancing Your Protection in South Somerset

Given South Somerset's property crime rate of 24.3 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the UK average, residents may still benefit from proactive security measures. While traditional CCTV cameras provide footage after an incident, consider a security approach that prioritises prevention. An AI-powered home security operating system like scOS offers proactive protection by detecting threats at your property boundary, rather than after a break-in. This real-time intervention is a significant differentiator from systems that merely notify you after the fact. The goal is to deter potential intruders within the crucial 60 seconds they typically take to decide whether to proceed. Professional-grade equipment, coupled with multi-camera intelligence that watches all cameras simultaneously and pattern learning to recognise routines, signals serious protection. By focusing on prevention, you can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of property crime in South Somerset.

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About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for South Somerset

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.uk — Recorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National Statistics — Demographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home Office — National offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI Requests — Supplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.
Police.ukONSHome OfficeFOI

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

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