Brynmawr Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Brynmawr's overall crime rate in September 2024 stood at 9.8 per 1,000 residents, placing it 27.3% above the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This stark deviation from the national norm is most pronounced in violent crimes, which accounted for 34.6% of all reported incidents. Violence and sexual offences alone contributed 18 crimes, a rate of 3.4 per 1,000 — 30% higher than the UK average. Public order offences, at 1.7 per 1,000, were 204% above the national benchmark, suggesting a significant localised challenge in managing disruptive behaviour. These figures contrast with anti-social behaviour, which was 23% below the UK average, possibly reflecting community efforts or lower population density in certain areas. Seasonal factors may also play a role: with September marking the start of the academic year, increased foot traffic in local schools and public spaces could contribute to higher incidents of violence and disorder. The area’s character as a historically industrial town with a small population may amplify the visibility of crime statistics, even if absolute numbers remain modest. While property crimes (16 incidents) were lower than violent crimes, their share of total incidents (30.8%) indicates a balanced but concerning distribution of criminal activity. This pattern may be influenced by the town’s limited commercial infrastructure, which reduces opportunities for theft compared to larger urban centres.

September 2024 saw a 125% increase in public order offences, rising from 4 to 9 incidents. This surge, which outpaced all other crime categories, may be linked to the influx of students returning to local schools and colleges, or increased social gatherings as evenings grew shorter. Other crime — typically a minor category — jumped by 100% from 0 to 3 incidents, a sudden spike that could indicate underreporting in previous months or the emergence of new criminal activity. Vehicle crime also doubled, with 4 incidents recorded compared to 2 in August, reflecting seasonal changes in parking patterns or increased traffic during the school term. Conversely, burglary rates fell by 50%, from 2 to 1 incident, due to improved home security measures or reduced opportunities in a low-density area. Anti-social behaviour dropped by 44.4%, from 9 to 5 incidents, which may suggest temporary success in community policing initiatives or the natural decline of transient issues. Shoplifting — a category typically associated with retail hubs — was 41% below the UK average, with only 2 incidents recorded. This could be attributed to Brynmawr’s limited retail presence, which reduces opportunities for such crimes compared to larger towns. The stark contrast between public order offences (204% above UK average) and shoplifting (41% below) illustrates the area’s unique crime profile, shaped by its demographics and local infrastructure.

Brynmawr’s crime rate in September 2024 remained stable compared to August, falling by just 1.9% to 9.8 per 1,000 from 10.0 per 1,000. This minor decline suggests no significant short-term trend, though the monthly exposure figure — one crime for every 102 residents — highlights the frequency of incidents in a small population. Daily, the area experienced an average of 2 crimes per day, a rate that, while manageable for a town of 5,313 residents, remains higher than the UK average. The population-scaled perspective reveals that each resident faces a higher risk of crime than the national average, with 9.8 incidents per 1,000 people compared to 7.7 nationally. This disparity may be attributed to Brynmawr’s status as a built-up area within Blaenau Gwent, where community density and limited economic opportunities could contribute to higher crime visibility. The stability in the overall rate contrasts with the volatility in specific categories: while public order offences surged, burglary and anti-social behaviour declined. For residents, this means that while the broader crime picture remains consistent, targeted efforts to address public order issues may yield measurable improvements in the coming months. The monthly exposure metric also underscores the importance of localised interventions, as even small changes in crime rates can have a significant impact on a population of less than 6,000.