Crime in Bristol, City of: statistics, rates and trends
73,545 crimes were recorded in Bristol, City of in the 12 months to July 2026, 148.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 9% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Bristol, City of at a glance
- Crime trends in Bristol, City of
- Types of crime in Bristol, City of
- Bristol, City of compared with nearby districts
- Areas within Bristol, City of
- Streets with the most crime in Bristol, City of
- What happened after crimes were reported in Bristol, City of
- Population and deprivation in Bristol, City of
- Questions about crime in Bristol, City of
- About this data
73,545 crimes were recorded in Bristol, City of in the 12 months to July 2026, 148.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 25,380 reports (35% of the total).
Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Bristol, City of has the 13th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Bristol, City of | South West | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 73,545 | 491,906 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 148.8 | 83.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +9% | +1% | -1% |
| Population | 494,399 | 5,889,695 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Bristol, City of was highest in the year to July 2026 (73,545 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (58,304). Over the whole period it rose 17%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 73,545 | 148.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 67,678 | 136.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 66,603 | 134.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 60,958 | 123.3 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 60,707 | 122.8 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 58,304 | 117.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 59,820 | 121.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 61,537 | 124.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 62,691 | 126.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 6,402 |
| June 2026 | 5,980 |
| May 2026 | 6,128 |
| April 2026 | 6,122 |
| March 2026 | 6,436 |
| February 2026 | 5,509 |
| January 2026 | 5,953 |
| December 2025 | 5,902 |
| November 2025 | 6,350 |
| October 2025 | 6,786 |
| September 2025 | 6,207 |
| August 2025 | 5,770 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Bristol, City of over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in theft from the person (+59%) and robbery (+25%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 25,380 | 51.3 | 1.50 | +6% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 10,811 | 21.9 | 1.43 | +10% |
| Shoplifting | 6,592 | 13.3 | 1.61 | +14% |
| Public order | 6,581 | 13.3 | 2.00 | -4% |
| Other theft | 5,552 | 11.2 | 1.76 | +11% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 5,186 | 10.5 | 1.55 | +21% |
| Vehicle crime | 4,474 | 9.0 | 1.84 | +8% |
| Burglary | 2,939 | 5.9 | 1.68 | +18% |
| Drugs | 1,506 | 3.0 | 0.93 | +10% |
| Robbery | 1,497 | 3.0 | 2.24 | +25% |
| Other crime | 1,122 | 2.3 | 1.07 | +3% |
| Bicycle theft | 1,013 | 2.0 | 2.49 | +0% |
| Possession of weapons | 462 | 0.9 | 0.96 | +20% |
| Theft from the person | 430 | 0.9 | 0.51 | +59% |
Violence and sexual offences in Bristol, City of
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bristol, City of recorded 25,380 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (51.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 34.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Bristol, City of
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bristol, City of recorded 10,811 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 14.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Bristol, City of
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bristol, City of recorded 6,592 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Bristol, City of
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bristol, City of recorded 6,581 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 8.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Bristol, City of
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bristol, City of recorded 5,552 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 7.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Bristol, City of
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bristol, City of recorded 5,186 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Bristol, City of
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bristol, City of recorded 4,474 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Bristol, City of
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bristol, City of recorded 2,939 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Bristol, City of
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bristol, City of recorded 1,506 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Bristol, City of
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bristol, City of recorded 1,497 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Bristol, City of
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bristol, City of recorded 1,122 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Bristol, City of
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bristol, City of recorded 1,013 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Bristol, City of
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bristol, City of recorded 462 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Bristol, City of
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bristol, City of recorded 430 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 59% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the districts closest to Bristol, City of, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Bristol, City of.
| District | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Bristol, City of |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Gloucestershire | 23,957 | 78.2 | -47% |
| Bath and North East Somerset | 17,881 | 89.4 | -40% |
| North Somerset | 19,522 | 86.9 | -42% |
| Newport | 22,735 | 135.4 | -9% |
| Monmouthshire | 7,550 | 79.5 | -47% |
| Stroud | 7,940 | 63.2 | -58% |
| Forest of Dean | 5,082 | 56.6 | -62% |
| Torfaen | 11,796 | 125.3 | -16% |
36 areas within Bristol, City of, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Central had the highest rate (524.2 per 1,000) and Redland the lowest (49.5). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central | Neighbourhood | 23,555 | 12,347 | 524.2 |
| Lawrence Hill | Neighbourhood | 21,987 | 5,803 | 263.9 |
| Avonmouth | Town | 2,109 | 501 | 237.6 |
| Lockleaze | Neighbourhood | 14,029 | 2,820 | 201.0 |
| Hartcliffe and Withywood | Neighbourhood | 19,421 | 3,823 | 196.8 |
| Southville | Neighbourhood | 14,773 | 2,653 | 179.6 |
| Hotwells and Harbourside | Neighbourhood | 6,705 | 1,164 | 173.6 |
| Ashley | Neighbourhood | 21,827 | 3,789 | 173.6 |
| St George West | Neighbourhood | 6,605 | 1,021 | 154.6 |
| Frome Vale | Neighbourhood | 14,152 | 2,174 | 153.6 |
| Horfield | Neighbourhood | 13,504 | 2,068 | 153.1 |
| Bristol | Town | 446,069 | 66,977 | 150.1 |
| Eastville | Neighbourhood | 17,019 | 2,526 | 148.4 |
| Brislington West | Neighbourhood | 12,677 | 1,846 | 145.6 |
| Filwood | Neighbourhood | 13,401 | 1,877 | 140.1 |
| Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston | Neighbourhood | 22,931 | 3,209 | 139.9 |
| Easton | Neighbourhood | 14,551 | 1,950 | 134.0 |
| Henbury and Brentry | Neighbourhood | 13,986 | 1,811 | 129.5 |
| Southmead | Neighbourhood | 13,698 | 1,750 | 127.8 |
| St George Central | Neighbourhood | 14,285 | 1,764 | 123.5 |
| Hengrove and Whitchurch Park | Neighbourhood | 20,852 | 2,367 | 113.5 |
| Hillfields | Neighbourhood | 13,070 | 1,474 | 112.8 |
| Bishopsworth | Neighbourhood | 13,937 | 1,570 | 112.6 |
| Brislington East | Neighbourhood | 12,681 | 1,353 | 106.7 |
| Stockwood | Neighbourhood | 11,160 | 1,105 | 99.0 |
| Knowle | Neighbourhood | 14,563 | 1,407 | 96.6 |
| Clifton Down | Neighbourhood | 13,096 | 1,189 | 90.8 |
| Bishopston and Ashley Down | Neighbourhood | 13,830 | 1,214 | 87.8 |
| Cotham | Neighbourhood | 9,045 | 766 | 84.7 |
| Windmill Hill | Neighbourhood | 14,817 | 1,215 | 82.0 |
| Bedminster | Neighbourhood | 10,617 | 859 | 80.9 |
| Clifton | Neighbourhood | 13,010 | 1,050 | 80.7 |
| Westbury-on-Trym and Henleaze | Neighbourhood | 20,912 | 1,590 | 76.0 |
| Stoke Bishop | Neighbourhood | 13,617 | 944 | 69.3 |
| St George Troopers Hill | Neighbourhood | 6,249 | 362 | 57.9 |
| Redland | Neighbourhood | 13,837 | 685 | 49.5 |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Bristol, City of over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 2,440 |
| On or near Parking Area | 2,356 |
| On or near Nightclub | 1,781 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 1,698 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 1,143 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 594 |
| On or near Hospital | 551 |
| On or near Ferry Terminal | 526 |
| On or near Cannon Street | 466 |
| On or near Lanes End | 398 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bristol, City of over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 22,363 | 30.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 22,262 | 30.3% |
| Not recorded | 10,811 | 14.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 5,835 | 7.9% |
| Under investigation | 5,246 | 7.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 2,583 | 3.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 1,469 | 2.0% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 927 | 1.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 780 | 1.1% |
| Local resolution | 536 | 0.7% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 263 | 0.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 253 | 0.3% |
Bristol, City of has an estimated population of 494,399. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bristol, City of sits in decile 5.3, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Bristol, City of |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 70.7% |
| Aged 65 and over | 12.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 54.8% |
| Social rented homes | 18.7% |
| Private rented homes | 26.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.3 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 11.3% |
Is Bristol, City of a safe place to live?
Bristol, City of recorded 148.8 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Bristol, City of?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 25,380 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (10,811).
Is crime in Bristol, City of going up or down?
Recorded crime in Bristol, City of was up 9% on the year before: 73,545 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 67,678 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Bristol, City of?
Bristol, City of is policed by Avon and Somerset. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Bristol, City of. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.