Pencoed Crime Rate

Pencoed is a highly secure urban settlement with an overall crime rate of 58.9 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7. This positive standing is further reflected in its safety score of 85/100, which is well above the UK national average of 79/100. Over the last 12 months, Pencoed has seen a 9.5% decrease in crime, indicating a strong downward trend in reported offences. With a population of 10,015, Pencoed offers a safe environment for its residents, with property crime rates that are less than half the national average. While violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, the overall volume of crime remains low. The following report provides a detailed breakdown of these statistics and practical advice for residents.

Crime Breakdown in Pencoed

Pencoed's crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 45.8% of all recorded incidents (270 crimes). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 11.9% and criminal damage and arson at 9.7%. Together, these three categories form the majority of police activity in the area. When looking at property crime as a whole—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and theft—the rate is 15.8 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.3, indicating that Pencoed is a very secure area against theft and break-ins.

Within the property crime category, vehicle crime is the most frequent sub-type at 6.1%, followed by other theft at 5.2%. Burglary is remarkably low, representing only 1.5% of total crime with just 9 recorded incidents. Shoplifting is also relatively infrequent at 3.6% (21 incidents). For residents, this data confirms that Pencoed is a safe residential settlement where the risk of property-related crime is minimal compared to national averages. The primary security focus for the community remains on managing public order and personal safety.

Crime Trends in Pencoed

The crime trend in Pencoed is currently downward, with a 9.5% decrease in recorded offences over the last year. Analysis of monthly data from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 shows that crime rates remained relatively low and stable throughout the year.

A peak was observed in October 2025 with 6.4 crimes per 1,000 people, following several months of lower activity. The lowest rate occurred in April 2025 at 3.6. The year ended with a rate of 4.7 in November. This overall downward trend suggests that Pencoed is a consistently safe community with no significant rising crime issues. For residents, this stability is a positive indicator of the area's ongoing safety and security.

How To Keep Safe in Pencoed

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types in Pencoed, accounting for nearly 46% of all recorded incidents. This highlights the importance of personal safety and situational awareness for all residents.

To stay safe in Pencoed:

• Be Aware in Public Spaces: Stay mindful of your surroundings, especially when walking alone in the evenings. Stick to well-lit routes and avoid areas that feel isolated or poorly monitored.
• Report Anti-Social Behaviour: With ASB being the second most common crime, reporting disruptive behaviour to the local police helps ensure that patrols are directed to the areas that need them most.
• Secure Your Home Perimeter: To prevent anti-social behaviour or criminal damage from impacting your home, ensure that fences and gates are in good repair and that your property is well-lit at night.
• Keep Valuables Hidden: When out in public, keep your phone and wallet secure. Opportunistic theft often occurs when items are left unattended or clearly visible.
• Engage with Local Safety Groups: Participating in community safety initiatives or neighbourhood watch schemes can help you stay informed about local issues and build a safer environment for everyone.

Crime in Pencoed shows clear temporal shifts. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the most frequent offence, making up 37% and 45% of incidents respectively. This suggests that retail areas and commercial activity are the primary focus during daylight hours. As the evening arrives, the percentage of 'Other' crimes—including public order and anti-social behaviour—rises significantly to 58%, reflecting a shift toward social-related issues. Night-time (12am-6am) sees a sharp spike in the proportion of vehicle crime, which accounts for 49% of all night-time offences. Burglary also peaks proportionally in the afternoon (9%) and at night (8%). This data suggests that while social offences are a daytime and evening concern, vehicle protection is the most critical priority during the late-night hours.

In the local context, Pencoed is one of the safer urban options. Its crime rate of 58.9 is much lower than nearby Bridgend (93.9) and Llanharan and Brynna (90.9). While the smaller settlement of Llanharry also has a low rate (27.8), Pencoed offers a safer environment than the larger regional hubs. Nearby Heol-y-Cyw reported zero crimes, which is typical for very small, residential settlements. For those looking for a safe urban area in the Bridgend local authority, Pencoed presents as a highly secure and stable community.

Pencoed's property crime rate of 15.8 per 1,000 people is exceptionally low, but maintaining this high standard of safety requires proactive security. Traditional security measures, such as basic alarm kits or doorbell cameras, are often reactive—they only provide evidence after a crime has been committed.

For Pencoed homeowners, scOS offers a proactive alternative. This AI-powered home security operating system uses multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries in real-time. It can identify potential threats, such as loitering or unauthorised vehicle access, before a break-in occurs. With autonomous responses like activating lights and speakers, scOS can deter intruders before they even reach your door. It also features DVLA vehicle verification to instantly flag unknown cars. By choosing a professional-grade, proactive system, you ensure that your home remains a difficult target, helping to maintain Pencoed's status as a safe and secure community.