South Somerset Crime Rate

South Somerset currently holds an overall crime rate of 86.8 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the UK national average of 93.1. This contributes to a respectable safety score of 79/100, placing the area slightly above the UK average for safety. The trend for the region is currently stable, with a modest 1.2% change in year-over-year crime figures. This suggests a consistent environment for the district's 154,500 residents. While the figures are generally positive, understanding the specific distribution of crime types and their seasonal patterns is essential for maintaining personal and property security in this part of the West Country.

About South Somerset

South Somerset is a diverse local authority area that blends historic market towns like Yeovil and Chard with vast rural landscapes. The region's economy is supported by a mix of high-tech aerospace manufacturing, traditional agriculture, and a growing service sector. Major transport links, including the A303, facilitate both commerce and tourism but can also influence transient crime patterns. The population is a mix of long-term residents and a more mobile workforce associated with the local industries. These factors—urban density in the towns versus the isolation of rural villages—create a varied crime landscape. While the towns face challenges typical of commercial hubs, such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, the rural areas require different security considerations. Overall, the area's safety profile reflects its status as a significant economic and residential core within Somerset.

Crime Breakdown in South Somerset

The most prevalent crime type in South Somerset is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 5,876 reported incidents, or 43.4% of all crime. Anti-social behaviour (13.7%) and public order offences (10.3%) also feature prominently in the statistics. Property-related crime, which includes burglary, vehicle theft, and other theft categories, occurs at a rate of 24.6 per 1,000 people. This is comfortably below the UK average of 32.9, indicating that South Somerset is relatively safe for property owners. However, the high volume of violence-related reports suggests that personal safety in public and private spaces remains a primary concern for local law enforcement and residents alike. Homeowners should remain vigilant about securing their premises, particularly against the 445 recorded burglaries and 316 vehicle crimes seen annually.

South Somerset Crime Trends

The crime trend in South Somerset is classified as stable, with a 1.2% year-over-year increase. Monthly data shows that crime rates fluctuated between a low of 6.2 per 1,000 in February and a peak of 8.1 per 1,000 in May. There was also a notable rise towards the end of the year, reaching 7.9 per 1,000 in October. This pattern suggests that crime activity may be slightly higher during the late spring and autumn months. For residents, this stability is generally reassuring, but the slight upward trend in the latter half of the year indicates that maintaining consistent security habits is important regardless of the season.

Regional Context and Comparisons

Within the Somerset region, South Somerset's crime rate of 86.8 per 1,000 people offers a balanced profile. It is significantly safer than some of the more densely populated urban centres in the South West, yet it faces more challenges than the deeply rural parishes within its own borders. When comparing the urban hubs, Yeovil (107.8) and Chard (112.8) see higher rates of activity than the district average, while areas like Rural South Somerset (34.9) and Somerton (58.7) pull the average down. This disparity highlights the importance of localized data; residents in the larger towns may experience a different security environment than those in the surrounding villages. Overall, the district remains a safe place to live and work relative to national benchmarks.

Proactive Security in South Somerset

In South Somerset, where property crime sits at 24.6 per 1,000 people, the shift towards intelligent home security is becoming more pronounced. Traditional DIY cameras often provide a false sense of security, as they typically notify you only after a window has been smashed or a door forced. scOS offers a more sophisticated, proactive alternative. By utilising AI to monitor property boundaries in real-time, scOS can identify potential intruders before they attempt entry. This system is designed to distinguish between everyday activity—like a neighbour's cat or a scheduled delivery—and suspicious patterns that warrant an alert. For residents in both the busier towns and the more isolated rural properties of South Somerset, the ability of scOS to trigger autonomous responses, such as activating deterrent lighting, provides a critical layer of prevention that simple recording devices cannot match. Moving from reactive evidence gathering to proactive crime prevention is the most effective way to secure your home.

How To Keep Safe in South Somerset

With violence and sexual offences being the most frequently reported crime category in the area, focusing on personal safety and community awareness is highly recommended.

1. When out in the evening in towns like Yeovil or Chard, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through unlit parks or alleyways.
2. Be aware of your surroundings, particularly near transport hubs or late-night venues where public order offences are more common.
3. Ensure your home is secure by using timed lighting when you are away to give the impression of occupancy.
4. Report any instances of anti-social behaviour to local neighbourhood watch schemes or the police to help target resources effectively.
5. If you are a victim of or witness to a crime, use official channels to report it immediately, as this data is vital for local safety planning.