Crime in Bristol: statistics, rates and trends
66,977 crimes were recorded in Bristol in the 12 months to July 2026, 150.1 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 at a glance
- Crime trends in Bristol
- Types of crime in Bristol
- Bristol compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Bristol
- Streets with the most crime in Bristol
- What happened after crimes were reported in Bristol
- Population and deprivation in Bristol
- Questions about crime in Bristol
- About this data
66,977 crimes were recorded in Bristol in the 12 months to July 2026, 150.1 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 23,023 reports (34% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Bristol has the 65th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Bristol | Bristol, City of | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 66,977 | 73,545 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 150.1 | 148.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +9% | +9% | -1% |
| Population | 446,069 | 494,399 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Bristol was highest in the year to July 2026 (66,977 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (53,300). Over the whole period it rose 16%, 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 | 66,977 | 150.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 61,619 | 138.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 61,078 | 136.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 56,196 | 126.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 55,725 | 124.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 53,300 | 119.5 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 54,872 | 123.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 56,187 | 126.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 57,756 | 129.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 5,840 |
| June 2026 | 5,486 |
| May 2026 | 5,512 |
| April 2026 | 5,581 |
| March 2026 | 5,869 |
| February 2026 | 5,011 |
| January 2026 | 5,425 |
| December 2025 | 5,324 |
| November 2025 | 5,710 |
| October 2025 | 6,237 |
| September 2025 | 5,716 |
| August 2025 | 5,266 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Bristol 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, public order.
The largest increases were in theft from the person (+56%) and robbery (+29%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 23,023 | 51.6 | 1.51 | +6% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 9,958 | 22.3 | 1.46 | +10% |
| Public order | 6,026 | 13.5 | 2.03 | -4% |
| Shoplifting | 5,802 | 13.0 | 1.57 | +16% |
| Other theft | 5,061 | 11.3 | 1.77 | +11% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 4,782 | 10.7 | 1.58 | +22% |
| Vehicle crime | 4,117 | 9.2 | 1.87 | +7% |
| Burglary | 2,638 | 5.9 | 1.67 | +17% |
| Robbery | 1,404 | 3.1 | 2.33 | +29% |
| Drugs | 1,363 | 3.1 | 0.93 | +9% |
| Other crime | 1,011 | 2.3 | 1.07 | +4% |
| Bicycle theft | 968 | 2.2 | 2.64 | +3% |
| Possession of weapons | 421 | 0.9 | 0.97 | +19% |
| Theft from the person | 403 | 0.9 | 0.53 | +56% |
Violence and sexual offences in Bristol
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bristol recorded 23,023 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (51.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 34.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Bristol
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bristol recorded 9,958 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 14.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Bristol
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bristol recorded 6,026 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Bristol
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bristol recorded 5,802 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Bristol
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bristol recorded 5,061 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 7.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Bristol
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bristol recorded 4,782 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Bristol
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bristol recorded 4,117 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 6.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Bristol
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bristol recorded 2,638 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 17% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Bristol
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bristol recorded 1,404 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Bristol
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bristol recorded 1,363 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Bristol
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bristol recorded 1,011 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 4% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Bristol
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bristol recorded 968 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Bristol
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bristol recorded 421 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 19% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Bristol
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bristol recorded 403 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 56% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Bristol, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Bristol.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Bristol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filton | 1,277 | 106.3 | -29% |
| Kingswood and Fishponds | 14,327 | 88.4 | -41% |
| Stoke Gifford | 1,307 | 76.2 | -49% |
| Patchway | 4,069 | 201.6 | +34% |
| Keynsham | 1,994 | 95.2 | -37% |
| Bradley Stoke | 1,478 | 57.4 | -62% |
| Frampton Cotterell and Winterbourne | 713 | 46.6 | -69% |
| Nailsea | 919 | 52.3 | -65% |
30 areas within Bristol, 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 |
| 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 |
| Horfield | Neighbourhood | 13,504 | 2,068 | 153.1 |
| 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 |
| Hengrove and Whitchurch Park | Neighbourhood | 20,852 | 2,367 | 113.5 |
| 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 over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 2,295 |
| On or near Supermarket | 2,157 |
| On or near Nightclub | 1,781 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 1,643 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 1,003 |
| On or near Theatre/Concert Hall | 586 |
| On or near Hospital | 551 |
| On or near Ferry Terminal | 525 |
| On or near Cannon Street | 466 |
| On or near Lanes End | 398 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bristol 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 | 20,443 | 30.5% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 20,082 | 30.0% |
| Not recorded | 9,958 | 14.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 5,364 | 8.0% |
| Under investigation | 4,735 | 7.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 2,326 | 3.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 1,336 | 2.0% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 855 | 1.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 715 | 1.1% |
| Local resolution | 502 | 0.7% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 236 | 0.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 227 | 0.3% |
Bristol has an estimated population of 446,069. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bristol sits in decile 5.4, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Bristol |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 70.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 12.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 54.5% |
| Social rented homes | 18.8% |
| Private rented homes | 26.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.4 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 12.2% |
Is Bristol a safe place to live?
Bristol recorded 150.1 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?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 23,023 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (9,958).
Is crime in Bristol going up or down?
Recorded crime in Bristol was up 9% on the year before: 66,977 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 61,619 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Bristol?
Bristol 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. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.