Crime in Bridgwater: statistics, rates and trends

8,893 crimes were recorded in Bridgwater in the 12 months to July 2026, 170.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 3,661 reports (41% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Bridgwater has the 29th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Bridgwater was highest in the year to July 2026 (8,893 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (6,104). Over the whole period it rose 46%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Bridgwater 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 vehicle crime (+119%) and robbery (+67%). The largest falls were in public order (-14%).

Violence and sexual offences in Bridgwater

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bridgwater recorded 3,661 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (70.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 41.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Bridgwater

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bridgwater recorded 1,294 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (24.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 14.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Bridgwater

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bridgwater recorded 1,081 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 12.2% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Bridgwater

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bridgwater recorded 778 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Bridgwater

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bridgwater recorded 599 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 6.7% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Bridgwater

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bridgwater recorded 426 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Bridgwater

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bridgwater recorded 221 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Bridgwater

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bridgwater recorded 210 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 119% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Bridgwater

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bridgwater recorded 169 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Bridgwater

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bridgwater recorded 154 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 67% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Bridgwater

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bridgwater recorded 146 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 1% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Bridgwater

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bridgwater recorded 77 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 45% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Bridgwater

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bridgwater recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 42% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Bridgwater

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bridgwater recorded 23 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Bridgwater, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Bridgwater.

5 areas within Bridgwater, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Bridgwater South had the highest rate (262.5 per 1,000) and Bridgwater West the lowest (67.2). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Bridgwater over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bridgwater 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.

Bridgwater has an estimated population of 52,053. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bridgwater sits in decile 4.5, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Bridgwater. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.