Bridgend Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Bridgend's crime rate in September 2024 stood at 6.5 per 1,000 residents, a figure that is 15.6% below the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This performance places the area among the safer local authority districts in the country. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 39.8% of all reported incidents (380 cases), followed by anti-social behaviour (17.3%) and public order offences (10.9%). The seasonal context of September—marked by the return to school and university, and the transition to shorter evenings—may have influenced these patterns. For instance, the high rate of violence and sexual offences could be partly explained by increased social interactions in nightlife areas, a common feature in mid-sized towns with mixed urban and rural characteristics. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour's prominence may reflect the pressures of transitioning academic terms. The area's lower-than-average rates for property crimes, such as shoplifting (26% below UK average) and vehicle crime (56% below), suggest effective local policing or community initiatives, though no explicit programmes are referenced in the data. These figures collectively illustrate a crime profile shaped by both demographic rhythms and geographical factors, with Bridgend maintaining a relatively stable and low-risk environment.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift in September 2024 was the 80% drop in bicycle theft, which fell from 5 to 1. This sharp decline, though unexplained by the data, may reflect seasonal changes such as the end of university freshers' week or reduced outdoor activity as nights draw in. Anti-social behaviour saw a 12.2% increase, rising from 147 to 165 incidents, a trend that could be linked to the return of students to campuses. Conversely, public order offences (104) were 25% above the UK average, indicating a localised challenge in managing public spaces. Drugs offences also rose by 9.5%, from 21 to 23, a modest but notable increase. These shifts highlight the combination of seasonal rhythms and community dynamics, with some categories showing stark divergence from national norms.

Bridgend's crime rate in September 2024 (6.5 per 1,000 residents) represents an 8.7% decrease from the previous month's rate of 7.1 per 1,000. This downward trend aligns with a broader pattern of seasonal moderation, though the drop is not uniform across crime types. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 32 crimes per day in September, a figure that reflects both local dynamics and national trends. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 154 residents, a rate that is 15.6% below the UK average. This monthly exposure figure highlights Bridgend's comparatively lower risk profile, particularly when contrasted with the UK's overall crime profile. The population context—147,530 residents—further underscores the significance of these numbers, as the absolute volume of crimes (956) remains manageable relative to the area's size. These metrics suggest a stable environment, though localized shifts in crime patterns warrant closer attention.