Crime rates in Keynsham have increased drastically within the past 5 years with a total crime increase of 304 since 2016. This shocking increase in crime has negatively impacted the people of Keynsham and has resulted in a wide range of crimes from shoplifting (least common crime) to violence and sexual offences (most common crime). Upon reporting these crimes, the general consensus is that Avon and Somerset Police have taken little action when investigating these crimes with many saying they haven’t taken any action at all. This is an important issue as both the residents and businesses of Keynsham feel as if they are not protected and so, for our safety, we feel that there should be a higher police presence in Keynsham and an increased police response to crimes that are reported.

According to CrimeRate.co.uk (a data analysis and GIS project dedicated to uncovering crime trends in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland) ‘Keynsham is among the top 5 most dangerous small towns in Somerset, and is the 26th most dangerous overall out of Somerset's 414 towns, villages, and cities.
The overall crime rate in Keynsham in 2021 was 69 crimes per 1,000 people. Comparing poorly to Somerset's overall crime rate, coming in 12% higher than the Somerset rate of 60 per 1,000 residents. For England, Wales, and Northern Ireland as a whole, Keynsham is the 255th most dangerous small town, and the 1,577th most dangerous location out of all towns, cities, and villages.
In December 2021, Keynsham was the worst small town in Somerset for burglary, with 16 crimes reported and a crime rate of 0.87 per 1,000 inhabitants. November 2021 was also a bad month for Keynsham residents, when it was Somerset's most dangerous small town for criminal damage and arson, recording 14 crimes at a rate of 0.76 per 1,000 residents. Keynsham recorded 4 reports of drugs during December 2021, making its crime rate of 0.22 the worst small town for drugs in Somerset that month.
The most common crimes in Keynsham are violence and sexual offences, with 545 offences during 2021, giving a crime rate of 30. This is 6% higher than 2020's figure of 511 offences and a difference of 1.85 from 2020's crime rate of 28. Keynsham's least common crime is theft from the person, with 4 offences recorded in 2021, an increase of 25% from 2020's figure of 3 crimes.’ (more information at https://crimerate.co.uk/somerset/keynsham
Compared to the UK's other Major Cities, Keynsham is more dangerous than; Croydon by 17%, Sheffield by 24%, Bristol by 24%, Leicester by 39%, Liverpool by 44%, Bradford by 48% and Leeds by 55%

The Community of Keynsham have voiced their concerns regarding the increasing amounts of crime in Keynsham. Some examples of recent events that have occurred in and around Keynsham High-street (that have had little police response) have been; Vandalism/window smashing at Poundland, Lloyd’s Chemist and Crumbs of Keynsham, Vehicle Vandalism, Break ins at Scrumptious Sweets, attempted break-in of the Aston way car park, trespassing & roof running, possession of weapons & violence/threats, public disorder, vandalism of public spaces, and many more crimes (visit https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/your-area/keynsham/ for more recorded crime statistics).
Additionally, there was a report that there were individuals seen wearing all black, hoods up and balaclavas covering their faces wondering the streets of Keynsham High-street on Sunday 20th February, police were called when these individuals were seen however it is believed that they didn’t act. Judging from what these individuals were wearing they are no doubt coming to Keynsham High-street to commit crime and cause trouble. Residents of the high-street are “starting to feel unsafe" and the lack of police action when these individuals were reported only supports their worries.
Avon and Somerset police vow to "serve. Protect and respect." They state they are "Delivering outstanding policing to everyone in Avon and Somerset" however, the people of Keynsham high-street are yet to see it. With police calls having no visible response, to evidence not being investigated at a crime scene, Avon and Somerset police force appear to be doing too little to help those who are scared, vulnerable and feel as if they have been violated.

Youth crime in Keynsham is on the rise. Many believe this to be the reason police aren't investigating the crimes in the area. However, according to Sentencingcouncil.org.uk (https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/sentencing-and-the-council/types-of-sentence/types-of-sentences-for-young-people/ any youth over the age of 10 is treated in the same way as any young person under 18 and can be dealt with by the Youth Justice System. (https://justice.org.uk/youth-justice/ Meaning that, despite not as severe as an adult being charged, a youth can still face punishment for their crimes. This is important as it shows that youth crime can be dealt with, and if the youths in Keynsham High-street can deterred by facing criminal punishment, then they should, and the police should be acting on these crimes.
Evidently, change needs to happen in Keynsham high-street. With the ever-increasing number of residents and the number of vulnerable individuals from children to elderly, Keynsham should be protected. More police presence needs to happen in Keynsham high-street, especially at night, as a deterrent, so these violent, criminal individuals can be punished. We are scared, we are annoyed and we are tired.

Please sign this petition in hopes that Keynsham can change for the better and so businesses and residents alike can have clarity.