Bridgend Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Bridgend's overall crime rate in January 2025 stood at 5.7 per 1,000 residents, marking a consistent performance 19.7% below the UK average of 7.1. This figures as a continuation of the area's relative safety compared to national trends, though the profile of crime in Bridgend shows distinct patterns. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 45.4% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (12.3%) and public order offences (11.6%). The seasonal context of January – a post-holiday period with shorter days and reduced retail footfall – likely contributed to lower shoplifting rates, which were 52% below the UK average. While violent crime remains the most prevalent category, its rate (2.6 per 1,000) was only 4% above the UK average, suggesting local factors may temper its usual national prominence. The lower-than-average rates for vehicle crime (76% below UK) and burglary (67% below UK) align with Bridgend's characteristics as an area with fewer high-density urban zones compared to major cities. Anti-social behaviour, however, remains a notable concern, with its rate (0.7 per 1,000) 29% below the UK average, pointing to effective local policing strategies in managing such incidents. These patterns reflect a balance between the area's urban and semi-rural character, where community-focused initiatives may play a role in maintaining lower crime rates despite the challenges posed by seasonal transitions.

January 2025 saw several significant shifts in crime patterns across Bridgend. Theft from the person fell by 50% compared to December, dropping from four to two incidents, a decrease that may reflect heightened public awareness during the post-holiday period. Similarly, drug-related crimes declined by 44.8%, with the number of incidents falling from 29 to 16 – a reduction that could be linked to targeted interventions during the festive season. Possession of weapons also decreased by 16.7%, though this remains a rare occurrence at 0.0 per 1,000. Conversely, burglary rates rose sharply by 35.7%, increasing from 14 to 19 incidents. This uptick may be connected to colder weather driving more indoor activities, or to changes in local property security practices. Public order offences saw the most dramatic increase, rising by 29.3% to 97 incidents, influenced by the return of students to universities after the winter break. Other theft also increased by 28.6%, indicating a shift in criminal activity towards non-retail targets. Bridgend's anti-social behaviour rate remained 29% below the UK average, while shoplifting was 52% below the national figure – both figures suggesting the area's unique social dynamics may contribute to lower rates in these categories.

Bridgend's January 2025 crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 residents represented a 7.8% increase from the previous month's rate of 5.3 per 1,000. This rise, though modest, translates to roughly 27 crimes per day across the local authority district – a figure that remains significantly lower than the UK average. Over the course of January, one reported crime occurred for every 177 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the area's continued safety compared to national benchmarks. When scaled to the population of 147,530, this means that the average resident faces a much lower risk of experiencing crime than the UK average. The previous month's rate provides context for the current figures, with the 7.8% increase likely attributable to seasonal factors such as the return of students to educational institutions and the associated rise in public order incidents. Despite this increase, Bridgend's overall crime profile remains distinct from the UK average, with property crimes such as burglary and vehicle crime consistently below national levels. The local context – a mix of urban and semi-rural areas with strong community engagement – may contribute to these sustained lower rates, even as month-on-month fluctuations occur.