Bridgend Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Bridgend's January 2024 crime rate of 6.6 per 1,000 residents marked a 10.8% reduction compared to the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, reflecting a relatively safer environment than the national benchmark. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 39.5% of all reported incidents, followed by shoplifting (12.0%) and public order offences (10.8%). This distribution aligns with patterns typical of mid-sized urban areas, where community spaces and retail hubs contribute to higher rates of violent and disorderly incidents. Seasonal factors likely played a role in shaping these statistics: January's post-holiday period, shorter daylight hours, and reduced retail footfall may have contributed to the lower-than-average rates of vehicle crime and burglary, while the persistence of violent crime suggests ongoing challenges in managing public safety. The UK comparison highlights Bridgend's strengths in areas like anti-social behaviour, where rates were 39% below the national average, potentially indicating effective community policing or social cohesion initiatives. However, the significant 40% increase in shoplifting compared to the UK average underscores the need for targeted interventions in retail environments. These patterns, combined with the stable overall crime rate, paint a complex picture of a town balancing routine challenges with notable successes in crime prevention.

January 2024 saw a 50% decrease in bicycle theft, dropping from 2 to 1 incident, a notable reduction that may reflect seasonal changes in outdoor activity. Conversely, robbery increased by 50% (2 to 3 incidents), and vehicle crime rose by 26.2% (42 to 53), highlighting areas requiring closer attention. Bridgend's performance against the UK average revealed striking contrasts: anti-social behaviour was 39% below the UK rate, while shoplifting and public order offences exceeded the UK average by 40% and 46% respectively. These disparities suggest localized factors influencing crime patterns, such as the town's retail environment and community engagement efforts. For residents, the 10.8% overall reduction compared to the UK average offers a tangible benchmark for local policing and community safety initiatives.

Bridgend's crime rate in January 2024 remained stable at 6.6 per 1,000 residents, matching the same rate as December 2023. This consistency suggests no significant shift in overall crime trends during the transition from the holiday season to the new year. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 31 crimes per day, a figure that reflects the local context without direct UK comparison. Over the course of the month, 1-in-151 residents reported a crime, a monthly exposure rate that places Bridgend below the UK average for most categories. With a population of 147,530, this figure translates to a manageable level of risk for residents, though localized patterns in specific crime types remain notable. The population-scaled perspective shows that Bridgend's crime profile is less severe than the UK average in several key categories, including anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime, which may partly explain the overall lower rate.