Porthcawl Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Porthcawl’s crime rate in January 2025 was 4.9 per 1,000 residents, 31.0% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This figure, while lower than the national benchmark, reflects a combination of seasonal and local factors. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 42.5% of all crimes, followed by criminal damage and arson (12.5%) and anti-social behaviour (12.5%). These figures contrast with the UK averages for their respective categories, where violence and sexual offences were 16% below the national rate, while criminal damage and arson were 18% above. The seasonal context of January—post-holiday, with shorter days and reduced retail footfall—likely contributed to the overall lower crime rate, though exceptions such as the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson suggest other influences. The area’s built-up nature within Bridgend may explain the relatively high proportion of violent crimes compared to more rural areas, where property crimes often dominate. However, the absence of significant seasonal spikes in property crimes, such as burglary or vehicle crime, which were both below UK averages, indicates that Porthcawl’s crime profile is shaped more by its social dynamics than by environmental factors. This data suggests that while the area remains safer than the UK average, targeted efforts may be needed to address the specific categories showing divergence, such as the unexpected rise in criminal damage and arson.

January 2025 saw stark fluctuations in crime types, with shoplifting surging by 500% from 1 to 6 incidents. This spike, while small in absolute terms, contrasts sharply with the 35% below UK average rate for the category. Conversely, burglary fell by 60%, dropping from 5 to 2 incidents—a shift consistent with post-holiday trends where fewer visitors may reduce opportunities for such crimes. Violence and sexual offences, though still the most common category (accounting for 42.5% of total crimes), decreased by 22.7% compared to the previous month. This decline may reflect seasonal factors, as shorter days and reduced social activity in Porthcawl’s town centre could curtail incidents. Criminal damage and arson rose by 150%, reaching 10 incidents—18% above the UK average. This increase suggests localized pressures, linked to seasonal maintenance or community events, though further data would be needed to confirm.

Porthcawl’s crime rate in January 2025 stood at 4.9 per 1,000 residents, a 4.8% decrease from the previous month’s 5.2 per 1,000. This decline aligns with typical post-holiday patterns, where reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours may dampen opportunities for certain crimes. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 3 crimes per day in January, a figure that translates to roughly one reported crime for every 203 residents over the course of the month. While this monthly exposure is lower than the UK average, the daily rate remains a useful metric for residents assessing local risk. The population-scaled perspective shows that Porthcawl’s crime rate is lower than the UK average, but the distribution of crime types—particularly the surge in shoplifting and criminal damage—highlights localized pressures distinct from national trends. This contrast underscores the importance of area-specific analysis when evaluating safety.