Crime in Ilminster: statistics, rates and trends
403 crimes were recorded in Ilminster in the 12 months to July 2026, 65.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 20% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Ilminster at a glance
- Crime trends in Ilminster
- Types of crime in Ilminster
- Ilminster compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Ilminster
- Streets with the most crime in Ilminster
- What happened after crimes were reported in Ilminster
- Population and deprivation in Ilminster
- Questions about crime in Ilminster
- About this data
403 crimes were recorded in Ilminster in the 12 months to July 2026, 65.2 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 20% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 177 reports (44% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Ilminster has the 865th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Ilminster | Somerset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 403 | 53,466 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 65.2 | 90.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +20% | +6% | -1% |
| Population | 6,180 | 588,328 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Ilminster was highest in the year to July 2018 (408 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (282). Over the whole period it fell 1%, 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 | 403 | 65.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 337 | 54.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 314 | 50.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 302 | 48.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 350 | 56.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 282 | 45.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 295 | 47.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 329 | 53.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 408 | 66.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 29 |
| June 2026 | 20 |
| May 2026 | 25 |
| April 2026 | 48 |
| March 2026 | 55 |
| February 2026 | 31 |
| January 2026 | 30 |
| December 2025 | 26 |
| November 2025 | 46 |
| October 2025 | 41 |
| September 2025 | 19 |
| August 2025 | 33 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Ilminster 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. The largest increases were in criminal damage and arson (+64%) and anti-social behaviour (+20%). The largest falls were in public order (-24%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 177 | 28.6 | 0.84 | +5% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 61 | 9.9 | 0.64 | +20% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 36 | 5.8 | 0.86 | +64% |
| Other theft | 29 | 4.7 | 0.73 | +164% |
| Public order | 26 | 4.2 | 0.63 | -24% |
| Shoplifting | 20 | 3.2 | 0.39 | +18% |
| Vehicle crime | 17 | 2.8 | 0.56 | +183% |
| Burglary | 16 | 2.6 | 0.73 | +60% |
| Other crime | 7 | 1.1 | 0.54 | -30% |
| Drugs | 4 | 0.6 | 0.20 | +0% |
| Robbery | 4 | 0.6 | 0.48 | +100% |
| Bicycle theft | 3 | 0.5 | 0.59 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.3 | 0.19 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.2 | 0.17 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Ilminster
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Ilminster recorded 177 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 43.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Ilminster
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Ilminster recorded 61 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 15.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Ilminster
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Ilminster recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 64% on the year before. It made up 8.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Ilminster
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Ilminster recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 164% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Ilminster
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Ilminster recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Ilminster
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Ilminster recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Ilminster
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Ilminster recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 183% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Ilminster
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Ilminster recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 60% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Ilminster
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Ilminster recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Ilminster
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Ilminster recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Ilminster
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Ilminster recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Ilminster
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Ilminster recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Ilminster
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Ilminster recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Ilminster
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Ilminster recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Ilminster, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Ilminster.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Ilminster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chard | 1,834 | 125.5 | +92% |
| Crewkerne | 608 | 92.3 | +42% |
| Monkton Heathfield | 697 | 108.8 | +67% |
| Taunton | 8,250 | 127.2 | +95% |
| Axminster | 500 | 69.5 | +7% |
| Somerton | 407 | 61.4 | -6% |
| Yeovil | 6,175 | 119.0 | +82% |
| North Petherton | 519 | 99.0 | +52% |
1 areas within Ilminster, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Ilminster had the highest rate (51.1 per 1,000) and Ilminster the lowest (51.1). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ilminster | Neighbourhood | 11,118 | 568 | 51.1 |
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 Ilminster over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Petrol Station | 56 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 22 |
| On or near Rutters Lane | 22 |
| On or near Supermarket | 18 |
| On or near Ile Court | 16 |
| On or near Railway Cuttings | 14 |
| On or near Silver Street | 13 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 13 |
| On or near Station Road | 12 |
| On or near Greendale | 12 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Ilminster 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 165 | 40.9% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 98 | 24.3% |
| Not recorded | 61 | 15.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 20 | 5.0% |
| Status update unavailable | 17 | 4.2% |
| Under investigation | 17 | 4.2% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 10 | 2.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 5 | 1.2% |
| Local resolution | 5 | 1.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 3 | 0.7% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.5% |
Ilminster has an estimated population of 6,180. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Ilminster sits in decile 5.9, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Ilminster |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 54.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 28.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 68.3% |
| Social rented homes | 14.2% |
| Private rented homes | 17.4% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.9 |
Is Ilminster a safe place to live?
Ilminster recorded 65.2 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower 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 Ilminster?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 177 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (61).
Is crime in Ilminster going up or down?
Recorded crime in Ilminster was up 20% on the year before: 403 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 337 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Ilminster?
Ilminster 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 Ilminster. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.