Pencoed Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In May 2024, Pencoed—a built-up area within Bridgend—recorded 55 crimes, translating to a crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 34.5% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, a significant disparity that highlights the area's relatively low crime profile. The breakdown of offences reveals that violence and sexual offences were the most prevalent, accounting for 36.4% of all crimes (20 cases). This category alone was 30% below the UK average, a notable contrast to public order offences, which were 106% above the national rate (13 cases). Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 16.4% of total crimes (9 cases), though this remained 38% below the UK average. The seasonal context of May—characterised by longer evenings, bank holidays, and increased outdoor socialising—likely contributed to fluctuations in certain offence types. For instance, the rise in public order incidents may be linked to heightened social activity in the area, while the drop in violence and sexual offences could reflect the timing of school holidays or reduced foot traffic during May. Pencoed's crime profile contrasts with broader UK trends, particularly in property-related crimes: criminal damage and arson, vehicle crime, and burglary were all significantly below national averages. These patterns suggest that local factors, such as the area's compact urban layout and community engagement, may play a role in shaping crime dynamics differently than in larger or more dispersed regions.

May 2024 saw a sharp rise in anti-social behaviour, surging 125% from 4 to 9 incidents—a significant shift that may reflect seasonal changes in community activity. Burglary also doubled from 0 to 2 cases, marking an unusual spike in property-related crime. Conversely, other theft fell by two-thirds, dropping from 3 to 1, suggesting a possible reduction in opportunistic crimes. Violence and sexual offences declined by 25.9%, from 27 to 20, a drop that could be linked to the Easter break or increased community engagement during May's bank holidays. Public order offences stood out as the most concerning local deviation, with 13 cases—106% above the UK average. This category, which includes disturbances and disorder, may be influenced by the area's built-up character and the extended evenings typical of May. Meanwhile, shoplifting and other theft remained well below UK averages, with shoplifting at 1 case (84% below the national rate). These variations underscore how local conditions can shape crime trends distinct from broader national patterns.

Pencoed's crime rate in May 2024 rose by 3.8% compared to April's 5.3 per 1,000, reflecting a slight upward trend. With 55 crimes reported over 31 days, that equates to roughly 2 crimes per day in the built-up area. This daily frequency translates to a monthly exposure of 1 crime for every 182 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents for local households. While the overall rate remains 34.5% below the UK average, the shift in crime types between months reveals notable changes. The population context is critical: for every 1,000 residents, Pencoed experiences fewer crimes than the national average, but the distribution of specific offences shows local variations. For instance, public order offences in May were 106% above the UK average, a stark contrast to other categories like shoplifting, which were 84% below. These disparities highlight how local factors—such as community dynamics or event calendars—can influence crime patterns differently than national trends.