Figures show high crime rate in city centre
BRISTOL city centre has one of the worst crime rates in England and Wales, according to the latest figures.
During the year ending January 2022, it was ranked as the 47th most dangerous place in England and Wales, following the release of the latest crime figures.
The area suffered a total of 7,729 crimes within the 12-month period, which works out at a rate of 388 crimes per 1,000 people who live there.
The biggest concern relates to antisocial behaviour – 85 crimes of this nature were recorded for every 1,000 residents in the city centre.
The neighbourhood also had the highest rates of robbery (10 per 1,000 residents), theft from the person (six per 1,000 residents) and criminal damage and arson (27 per 1,000 residents).
The most dangerous place in the whole of England and Wales has been named as the Strand, St James and Mayfair, which is in Westminster, London. There were almost two crimes committed for every resident in this neighbourhood.
Elsewhere in the Bristol region, Weston town in North Somerset had the next highest crime rate, at 304 offences per 1,000 residents, which was partly driven by the highest rates of violence and sexual offences in the area – 116 offences for every 1,000 residents.
Temple Meads in Bristol reported the third-highest crime rate with 297 crimes per 1,000 people. This included the highest rates of burglary – 14 for every 1,000 residents in the neighbourhood – drug crimes (12 per 1,000 residents) and weapons offences (two per 1,000 residents).
At the other end of the spectrum, the safest place in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire was named as Westbury-onTrym. There were just 28 offences committed for every 1,000 residents in this area.
Jeffrey DeMarco, assistant director at the charity Victim Support, said: “High crime rates in any area of the country are cause for concern. We see first-hand the devastating impact crime has on victims – from making them question their sense of safety to severely damaging their mental health.
“When looking at these figures, it is worth keeping in mind that there are many different ways of measuring crime.
“Because many victims don’t report to the police, the true crime rates could be much higher. It is vital that victims are given support, no matter where they live or whether or not they have reported the crime.
“Visit the Victim Support website (at www.victimsupport.org.uk) or call our free, 24/7 helpline on 08 08 16 89 111.”
Some antisocial behaviour in Bristol is being countered by urging employers across the city centre to prioritise women’s safety at night by signing up to the city’s first Women’s Safety Charter.
The charter consists of a set of seven commitments and is designed to provide practical steps employers can take to improve the safety of women who work in the night-time economy.
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “Too many women in our night-time economy have been subject to harassment or some form of threat.
“When a recent survey tells us that over nine in ten women have experienced harassment of some form at night, it’s clear that we need to act now.”
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