How common is car theft in Bristol?

In Bristol (Bristol), vehicle crime is investigated by Avon and Somerset Constabulary. Typical risk for the area is classified as Moderate. Search your exact postcode above to view street-level incidents recorded in the past month within 1 mile.

Which police force covers vehicle crime in Bristol?

Bristol is policed by Avon and Somerset Constabulary. You can report non-emergency vehicle theft or suspicious activity online or by dialling 101.

What are the most common car theft hotspots in Bristol?

Vehicle crime in Bristol typically concentrates around public car parks, railway commuter parking, retail parks, and poorly lit residential avenues where keyless relay attacks can take place.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary · Bristol

Car Theft in Bristol: Rates, Statistics & Hotspots

Bristol experiences moderate vehicle theft, with motorcycle and moped thefts alongside tool theft from commercial tradesperson vans being prominent in the central city district.

Popular locations:

Bristol (Bristol)

Live Radar

Showing recorded incidents within a 1-mile radius (~3.14 sq miles) of BS11UB (Bristol, City of)

Avon and Somerset

Data: July 2026

Vehicle Crime RiskSEVERE

136incidents / month

Low (0-3)Moderate (4-12)High (13-28)Severe (29+)

1600% higher than UK urban average (1-mile radius)

Month-on-Month TrendRising

+39(+40.2%) vs June 2026

3-Month Incidents Timeline

May

June

July

136

Direct monthly street comparison verified with official Police UK records.

Unsolved RateInvestigation Status

55.1%closed without suspect

Under investigation59 (43.4%)

Investigation complete; no suspect identified71 (52.2%)

Unable to prosecute suspect4 (2.9%)

National UK average: ~74% of vehicle crimes are closed with no suspect identified.

Top Street Hotspots

Highest concentration of vehicle interference & theft

8 locations

1On or near Parking Area

44 incidents32.4% of total

2On or near Newmarket Avenue

6 incidents4.4% of total

3On or near River Street

4 incidents2.9% of total

4On or near Narrow Quay

4 incidents2.9% of total

5On or near Ferry Terminal

3 incidents2.2% of total

6On or near New Kingsley Road

3 incidents2.2% of total

7On or near Three Queens Lane

2 incidents1.5% of total

8On or near Broad Weir

2 incidents1.5% of total

UK Parking & Security Checklist

Recommended countermeasures for this risk zone

Use a Faraday pouch or box for keyless car fobs to block relay signal amplifiers.

Fit a Sold Secure / Thatcham-approved steering wheel lock as a highly visible mechanical deterrent.

Consider fitting a Ghost immobiliser or Thatcham Cat S5 tracker with remote kill switch.

Park under street lighting or in view of domestic CCTV/video doorbells where possible.

Lock OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) ports or fit an OBD port blocker to prevent key cloning.

View UK-Wide Theft League Table Check Car MOT History

Check Vehicle Crime in Other UK Cities

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