Crime along the Bristol and Bath Railway Path surged by a third in 2024, according to data obtained by Bristol Live through a Freedom of Information request. Last year, police recorded 12 crimes on the popular route, up 33% from the nine incidents reported in 2023. This spike reverses two years of steep declines, following 35 crimes in 2020, 15 in 2021, and a low of eight in 2022.
The most frequent offense in 2024 was common assault and battery, with four cases, followed by three robberies of personal property. Two assaults causing actual bodily harm and two instances of exposure (a sexual offense) were also logged, alongside one robbery of business property. Notably, half of these incidents occurred within a six-hour window from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Avon and Somerset Police responded, stating, “We’re dedicated to keeping the Bristol and Bath Railway Path safe for everyone. Our neighborhood officers regularly patrol on foot and by bike to achieve this. Tackling anti-social behavior and crime is a top priority, and we urge the public to report incidents so we can respond and allocate resources effectively.” The force also hosts free bike-marking events to deter theft, encouraging cyclists to participate when advertised.
The path has faced safety challenges before. Late 2020 saw a spate of crimes, prompting police to update their policing strategy and Sustrans to unveil detailed safety improvements. Issues resurfaced in 2024, with Bristol Live highlighting concerns in September about masked youths on speed-deregulated electric vehicles intimidating users by blocking paths and swerving into people. By November, cyclists were calling for action after a string of robberies, including a delivery driver knocked off his e-bike and another man robbed of his bicycle at knifepoint.
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