Pen-y-fai Crime Rate

Pen-y-fai stands out as one of the most secure residential areas in the Bridgend region, with a crime rate of 40.6 per 1,000 people. This is substantially lower than the UK average of 91.7, contributing to an excellent safety score of 90/100. The village is currently experiencing a significant downward trend in criminal activity, with reported offences decreasing by 24.2% year-over-year. This combination of a high safety score and a declining crime rate makes Pen-y-fai an exceptionally attractive location for those seeking peace of mind. The data that follows provides a detailed breakdown of the local crime landscape, highlighting the specific patterns that contribute to this area's impressive safety profile.

Pen-y-fai maintains an exceptionally low crime profile, with the top three crime types being violence and sexual offences (41.5%), public order offences (19.1%), and anti-social behaviour (13.8%). While violence is the most frequent category, the absolute number of incidents—just 39 over a year—reflects the quiet, residential nature of the village.

Property crime in Pen-y-fai is remarkably low, recorded at a rate of 7.8 per 1,000 residents. This is nearly a quarter of the UK average property crime rate (32.3). The breakdown includes other theft (8.5%), criminal damage and arson (5.3%), and burglary (3.2%). With only 3 burglaries recorded in the entire year, the statistical risk to homeowners is minimal. Vehicle crime is also nearly non-existent, with just a single report. For residents, these figures suggest that Pen-y-fai is one of the most secure environments in the region, where the primary concerns are minor social disturbances rather than serious acquisitive crime.

The crime trend in Pen-y-fai is exceptionally positive, with a 24.2% decrease in total offences over the last year. This significant reduction suggests that the village is becoming increasingly secure. Monthly data from 2025 shows a consistently low rate, with most months hovering between 2.2 and 4.3 crimes per 1,000 people.

There were no major spikes in activity throughout the year; even the 'peak' months of September and October saw only 4.3 crimes per 1,000, which is still remarkably low by national standards. The lowest point was in February (2.2), indicating a very quiet winter period. This stability in the data provides residents with a high degree of predictability regarding their safety. The sustained downward trend reinforces Pen-y-fai's status as a top-tier safe haven within the Bridgend local authority.

How To Keep Safe in Pen-y-fai

The highest crime category in Pen-y-fai is violence and sexual offences, though the actual number of incidents is very low for a community of this size. Most of these reports are likely isolated incidents, but general awareness is always beneficial.

To maintain your personal safety, especially when walking alone in the evenings, stick to the main residential roads which are generally well-lit. While the village is peaceful, it is always wise to let someone know your expected arrival time if you are out late.

For property protection, even though burglary is rare, ensure that side gates are locked and that ladders or tools are not left in the garden, as these can be used to gain access to upper floors. Since 'other theft' is the second most common property crime, keep garden furniture and bicycles secured when not in use. Finally, joining or supporting a local Neighbourhood Watch can be a great way to stay informed about the very rare occurrences of crime in the village, helping to keep Pen-y-fai's safety score among the highest in the region.

Crime timing in Pen-y-fai reveals that most activity is concentrated during the daylight hours, primarily linked to theft. In both the morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft-related offences dominate, accounting for 69% and 71% of reported crimes respectively. This suggests that the small amount of crime occurring in the village is often opportunistic and happens when residents are away at work or out of the house.

As evening approaches, the distribution of crime types becomes more varied. Between 6pm and midnight, theft remains significant at 38%, but 'other' crimes—including public order and anti-social behaviour—rise to 39%. During the night (midnight to 6am), burglary reaches its highest relative percentage at 24%. However, it is important to note that because Pen-y-fai has such a low overall crime rate, these percentages represent a very small number of actual incidents. The primary takeaway for residents is to remain vigilant about home security during the overnight hours, even in this high-safety area.

Pen-y-fai compares very favourably to other areas within the Bridgend local authority. Its crime rate of 40.6 per 1,000 is notably lower than the regional hub of Bridgend (93.9) and the nearby settlement of Sarn (92.4). It also offers a safer environment than Trelales, which has a rate of 56.9. While the smaller area of Pen-y-cae reports zero crimes, Pen-y-fai remains one of the most secure established villages in the county. For residents or prospective movers, Pen-y-fai represents a significant 'safety premium' compared to most surrounding urban settlements, providing a quiet and secure enclave within easy reach of larger towns.

With a property crime rate of only 7.8 per 1,000, Pen-y-fai is a low-risk environment, but the impact of a single burglary can still be devastating. Traditional security systems like Ring or basic CCTV are often reactive—they tell you that a crime has happened after the fact. In a peaceful village like Pen-y-fai, the goal should be to maintain that tranquillity by preventing any intrusion before it starts.

scOS offers a proactive alternative to traditional security. By using AI to monitor all your cameras simultaneously, it identifies potential threats at the property boundary. If a stranger enters your garden at an unusual hour, scOS can trigger an autonomous response—activating lights or voice alerts—to deter the individual before they even touch a door or window. This is particularly valuable in Pen-y-fai, where the low crime rate means burglars are likely looking for the path of least resistance. A visible, high-tech deterrent like scOS signals that your home is professionally protected, making it an easy decision for any opportunistic intruder to move on.