Porthcawl Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Porthcawl’s crime profile in May 2025, accounting for nearly 38% of all reported crimes. This category, which includes assaults and sexual harassment, remains the most significant driver of crime in the area, reflecting patterns seen in coastal towns with high foot traffic during the summer season. The overall crime rate of 8.1 per 1,000 residents aligns precisely with the UK average, though local variations in specific categories reveal distinct trends. Anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, and theft from the person collectively make up over 65% of the remaining crimes, suggesting a combination of social and retail-related factors. May’s longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising, typical of coastal areas during this time of year, likely contribute to the prominence of violent and public order offences. While the area’s crime rate matches national figures, the proportion of violent crimes is 10% above the UK average, highlighting a localised emphasis on interpersonal conflict. This may partly explain the higher rates of anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which are themselves 6% and 21% above UK averages respectively. The presence of Porthcawl’s coastal amenities and tourist infrastructure could further amplify interactions that lead to such incidents. The data underscores a seasonal rhythm where warmer weather and extended daylight hours correlate with higher levels of outdoor activity, increasing opportunities for crime in public spaces.

May 2025 saw significant shifts in crime patterns, with drug-related offences surging by 300% compared to April, rising from one to four incidents. This increase, while small in absolute terms, marks a stark departure from previous months and may reflect heightened activity during the early summer period. Bicycle theft also doubled, with one reported incident in May after none in April, a trend consistent with the seasonal return of cyclists and tourists to the area. Conversely, shoplifting declined by 13.3%, falling from 15 to 13 incidents, possibly due to increased police presence or retailer security measures. The category of violence and sexual offences remains 10% above the UK average, a persistent concern that aligns with the area’s demographic profile as a coastal town with a mix of residential and tourist populations. Anti-social behaviour, which includes noise complaints and public drunkenness, is 6% above the UK average, a figure that may be exacerbated by the influx of visitors during May’s bank holidays. Theft from the person, which had previously been 33% below the UK average, rose to one incident in May, suggesting a potential shift in criminal activity that deserves closer attention. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of local crime trends and the need for continuous monitoring of seasonal and environmental influences.

Porthcawl’s crime rate in May 2025 (8.1 per 1,000) represents a 19.9% increase from April’s 6.8 per 1,000, a rise that translates to roughly four crimes reported each day over the 31-day period. This daily frequency places the area in a context where residents face a 1-in-123 chance of experiencing a reported crime over the course of the month, a figure that, while comparable to other similarly sized towns, underscores the need for vigilance. The population-scaled perspective reveals that with 16,260 residents, the absolute number of crimes (132) is relatively modest, but the concentration of violent and property-related offences may still impact quality of life. When compared to the UK average, Porthcawl’s overall rate is statistically identical, though the distribution of crime types diverges significantly. For instance, while the UK average for shoplifting is 0.7 per 1,000, Porthcawl’s rate is 0.8 per 1,000, a 19% difference that could be attributed to the area’s retail presence. The contrast between Porthcawl’s higher rates of anti-social behaviour (1.5 vs 1.4 per 1,000 UK average) and lower rates of theft from the person (0.1 vs 0.1 UK average) further illustrates the localised nature of crime patterns. These comparisons highlight how Porthcawl’s unique characteristics—its coastal setting, seasonal tourism, and community dynamics—shape the crime profile in ways distinct from the national average.