Blaenau Gwent Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 67,873, Blaenau Gwent recorded 681 crimes in February 2024, translating to a crime rate of 10.0 per 1,000 residents. This places the area 40.8% above the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, highlighting a significant divergence in local crime patterns. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (39.4% of total crimes), anti-social behaviour (19.7%), and criminal damage and arson (10.6%). These figures align with the area's seasonal dynamics: February, a winter month marked by low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull, may partly explain the elevated rates of indoor-related crimes such as violence and anti-social behaviour. The high proportion of violence and sexual offences—4.0 per 1,000, 60% above the UK average—suggests persistent challenges in community safety, potentially influenced by factors such as socioeconomic conditions or limited access to support services. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour, at 2.0 per 1,000, remains high compared to the UK average of 1.1 per 1,000. This could reflect the area's rural-urban mix, where concentrated populations in certain zones may amplify incidents of disorder. The seasonal context of February—shorter days and colder weather—may also reduce opportunities for outdoor crime, but the data shows that indoor and interpersonal crimes dominate, indicating a need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas.

February 2024 saw notable shifts in crime trends compared to January, with increases in other theft (+44.8%, from 29 to 42 incidents), robbery (+33.3%, from 3 to 4), and burglary (+33.3%, from 15 to 20). These rises may reflect seasonal factors, such as increased indoor activity during colder weather, or localized pressures in specific neighbourhoods. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 50% (from 4 to 2), vehicle crime dropped by 35.3% (from 51 to 33), and public order offences decreased by 31.6% (from 76 to 52). The drop in vehicle crime could be linked to reduced outdoor activity during winter. Meanwhile, shoplifting remained below the UK average (0.4 vs 0.5 per 1,000), and burglary matched the UK rate (0.3 per 1,000). The most striking disparity remains in violence and sexual offences, which are 60% above the UK average. This category's dominance—accounting for nearly 40% of all crimes—underscores a pressing concern for local authorities. Residents might find the 23 crimes reported daily (681 over 29 days) a useful benchmark for understanding local risk levels, though this figure includes both violent and property crimes.

The crime rate in Blaenau Gwent dropped by 12.5% from 11.5 per 1,000 in January 2024 to 10.0 per 1,000 in February, indicating a short-term decline. However, this remains significantly higher than the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, with the gap persisting at 40.8%. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 23 crimes per day in February, a figure that may resonate with residents as a tangible measure of local safety. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 100 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while not unusual for a rural-urban mix, highlights the need for sustained community engagement. With a population of 67,873, the 681 crimes recorded represent a substantial proportion of the population, particularly when compared to the UK average. This context is critical for understanding the area's unique challenges, as Blaenau Gwent's blend of rural and urban characteristics may amplify certain crime types while mitigating others. The comparison to the UK average underscores the importance of localized strategies to address persistent disparities, such as the 60% gap in violence and sexual offences, which remains a key area for intervention.