Crime in Portishead: statistics, rates and trends
1,875 crimes were recorded in Portishead in the 12 months to July 2026, 73.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Portishead at a glance
- Crime trends in Portishead
- Types of crime in Portishead
- Portishead compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Portishead
- Streets with the most crime in Portishead
- What happened after crimes were reported in Portishead
- Population and deprivation in Portishead
- Questions about crime in Portishead
- About this data
1,875 crimes were recorded in Portishead in the 12 months to July 2026, 73.0 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 722 reports (39% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Portishead has the 729th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Portishead | North Somerset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,875 | 19,522 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 73.0 | 86.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +3% | +1% | -1% |
| Population | 25,672 | 224,578 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Portishead was highest in the year to July 2026 (1,875 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (1,187). Over the whole period it rose 51%, 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 | 1,875 | 73.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,815 | 70.7 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,604 | 62.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,503 | 58.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,187 | 46.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,420 | 55.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,283 | 50.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,424 | 55.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,244 | 48.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 144 |
| June 2026 | 144 |
| May 2026 | 187 |
| April 2026 | 213 |
| March 2026 | 167 |
| February 2026 | 125 |
| January 2026 | 112 |
| December 2025 | 143 |
| November 2025 | 130 |
| October 2025 | 175 |
| September 2025 | 160 |
| August 2025 | 175 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Portishead 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 shoplifting (+52%) and other theft (+21%). The largest falls were in robbery (-32%) and burglary (-25%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 722 | 28.1 | 0.82 | -1% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 317 | 12.3 | 0.80 | +2% |
| Shoplifting | 241 | 9.4 | 1.13 | +52% |
| Public order | 162 | 6.3 | 0.95 | -7% |
| Other theft | 137 | 5.3 | 0.83 | +21% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 116 | 4.5 | 0.67 | -9% |
| Vehicle crime | 51 | 2.0 | 0.40 | +0% |
| Burglary | 46 | 1.8 | 0.51 | -25% |
| Other crime | 29 | 1.1 | 0.53 | -19% |
| Drugs | 25 | 1.0 | 0.30 | +32% |
| Robbery | 15 | 0.6 | 0.43 | -32% |
| Possession of weapons | 10 | 0.4 | 0.40 | +67% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.1 | 0.09 | -50% |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.1 | 0.05 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Portishead
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Portishead recorded 722 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (28.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 38.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Portishead
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Portishead recorded 317 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 16.9% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Portishead
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Portishead recorded 241 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 52% on the year before. It made up 12.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Portishead
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Portishead recorded 162 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 8.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Portishead
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Portishead recorded 137 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Portishead
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Portishead recorded 116 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Portishead
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Portishead recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Portishead
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Portishead recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Portishead
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Portishead recorded 29 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 19% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Portishead
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Portishead recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 32% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Portishead
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Portishead recorded 15 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 down 32% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Portishead
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Portishead recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 67% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Portishead
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Portishead recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Portishead
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Portishead recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Portishead, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Portishead.
4 areas within Portishead, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Portishead North had the highest rate (102.4 per 1,000) and Portishead South the lowest (42.6). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portishead North | Neighbourhood | 4,481 | 459 | 102.4 |
| Portishead West | Neighbourhood | 9,500 | 683 | 71.9 |
| Portishead East | Neighbourhood | 8,072 | 579 | 71.7 |
| Portishead South | Neighbourhood | 3,619 | 154 | 42.6 |
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 Portishead over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Police Station | 219 |
| On or near Supermarket | 147 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 117 |
| On or near Parking Area | 91 |
| On or near Harbour Road | 70 |
| On or near Forth Avenue | 64 |
| On or near Victoria Close | 31 |
| On or near Argentia Place | 28 |
| On or near Navigators Court | 27 |
| On or near Glebe Road | 26 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Portishead 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 | 620 | 33.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 469 | 25.0% |
| Not recorded | 317 | 16.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 150 | 8.0% |
| Under investigation | 134 | 7.1% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 70 | 3.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 32 | 1.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 28 | 1.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 15 | 0.8% |
| Local resolution | 11 | 0.6% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 10 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 9 | 0.5% |
Portishead has an estimated population of 25,672. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Portishead sits in decile 8.9, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Portishead |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 24.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 76.1% |
| Social rented homes | 8.0% |
| Private rented homes | 15.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 8.9 |
Is Portishead a safe place to live?
Portishead recorded 73.0 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 Portishead?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 722 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (317).
Is crime in Portishead going up or down?
Recorded crime in Portishead was up 3% on the year before: 1,875 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,815 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Portishead?
Portishead 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 Portishead. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.