Maesteg Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Maesteg’s crime rate in October 2023 stood at 10.2 per 1,000 residents, placing it 27.5% above the UK average of 8.0. This stark contrast with national figures highlights a localised challenge, particularly in violent and property crimes. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 35.3% of all recorded crimes, with a rate of 3.6 per 1,000—33% above the UK average. Shoplifting followed closely at 16.3% of total crimes.7 per 1,000 (193% above the UK average) suggests a concentration in retail hubs. Public order offences (12.6% of total crimes) also surged, with a rate of 1.3 per 1,000, 120% above the UK average. These trends may be linked to October’s seasonal context: shorter days, the clocks going back, and Halloween’s influence, which can heighten tensions in public spaces and increase alcohol-related incidents. While property crimes (67 total) and violent crimes (67 total) were equal in number, the former’s rate of 3.6 per 1,000 (violence) and 3.6 per 1,000 (property) reveals a balanced but concerning profile. The area’s compact, built-up nature—likely with a mix of retail and community spaces—may contribute to these patterns, as well as the high rates of public order offences. Localised factors, such as the proximity to major roads or high-traffic areas, could also play a role in shoplifting and vehicle crime rates. However, the overall picture underscores the need for targeted interventions in violent and public order crimes, which remain significantly above national benchmarks.

October 2023 saw notable shifts in Maesteg’s crime profile. Shoplifting, a traditionally high-volume offence, fell by 22.5% month-on-month, declining from 40 to 31 incidents. This drop may reflect seasonal factors, such as reduced foot traffic after Halloween or increased retail security measures. Conversely, three categories surged by 100% compared to September: Other crime (from 1 to 2), Drugs (from 0 to 4), and Possession of weapons (from 0 to 2). These jumps, though small in absolute terms, signal emerging trends—perhaps linked to increased police visibility or changes in local networks. Violent crimes, however, remained a dominant concern. Violence and sexual offences (67 cases) accounted for 35.3% of all crimes, far outpacing the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000 (Maesteg’s rate: 3.6 per 1,000). Public order offences also rose sharply, with a 7.7% month-on-month decrease in numbers (26 to 24) but still remaining 120% above the UK average. Meanwhile, vehicle crime dipped 42% below the UK average (0.3 vs 0.5 per 1,000), suggesting a possible reduction in car-related thefts. For residents, the most tangible insight is the shoplifting decline: 22 fewer incidents than the previous month. This could indicate effective policing or community efforts, though further analysis would be needed to confirm causality.

Maesteg’s crime rate in October 2023 (10.2 per 1,000) marked a 5.5% increase from the previous month’s rate of 9.7 per 1,000. This upward trend, though modest, aligns with the area’s persistent challenge of remaining significantly above the UK average. Locally, the monthly exposure figure—1 reported crime for every 98 residents—illustrates the density of incidents in a relatively small population of 18,585. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 6 crimes per day, a figure that, while not alarmingly high, underscores the need for consistent vigilance. When contextualised against the UK average, Maesteg’s violent crime rate (3.6 per 1,000) and shoplifting rate (1.7 per 1,000) stand out as major divergences. The former is 33% above the UK average, while the latter is 193% above, highlighting pockets of vulnerability. These disparities may reflect the area’s specific characteristics: a built-up town within Bridgend, where high streets and community spaces could foster both public order issues and retail crime. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that, despite the higher rate, the absolute number of crimes (190) remains manageable in a town of 18,585. However, the concentration of certain crime types—particularly violence and public order—deserves closer attention, as they affect the local community compared to national trends.