Porthcawl Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

September 2025 saw Porthcawl’s crime rate reach 7.2 per 1,000 residents, a figure 2.7% below the UK average of 7.4. While the overall rate remains relatively low compared to national benchmarks, the composition of crimes tells a more complex story. Violence and sexual offences dominated, accounting for 35.9% of all incidents, followed closely by shoplifting (14.5%) and public order issues (9.4%). These trends align with seasonal factors: the start of the academic year, with back-to-school activities and university freshers’ week, may have contributed to increased public order and violent crime in social hubs. The sharp rise in shoplifting, however, appears disconnected from seasonal patterns and may reflect broader economic pressures or shifts in retail activity. Anti-social behaviour decreased by 15.4%, a decline that could be attributed to local policing initiatives or community engagement efforts. The area’s lower-than-average rates for vehicle crime (50% below UK levels) and other theft (20% below) suggest that certain crime prevention measures, such as improved street lighting or community surveillance, may be working. Yet the significant increase in criminal damage and arson—up 233.3% from August—raises concerns about targeted vandalism, linked to the transition into darker evenings and the start of the school term. Porthcawl’s crime profile thus reflects a mix of stable, low-level trends and emerging risks that warrant closer attention from residents and local authorities.

September 2025 marked a notable spike in criminal damage and arson, surging by 233.3% from 3 to 10 incidents—a jump that far outpaces other categories. Shoplifting also saw a staggering 142.9% increase, rising from 7 to 17 cases, placing it 80% above the UK average for this category. This surge may partly explain the broader rise in property crime, which now accounts for 37.6% of total incidents. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour declined by 15.4%, and vehicle crime fell by 25%, though the latter remains 50% below the UK average. The area’s violent crime rate—2.6 per 1,000—aligns precisely with the UK average for this category, but the share of violent offences (35.9% of total crimes) is a stark contrast to the 14.5% attributed to shoplifting. Residents should be particularly vigilant in areas with high foot traffic, where shoplifting and public order offences are concentrated.

Porthcawl’s crime rate rose by 22.0% in September 2025 compared to the previous month, climbing from 5.9 to 7.2 per 1,000 residents. This shift positions the area as one of the few in Wales with a rate below the UK average (7.4 per 1,000) despite the upward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 4 crimes per day in September, a figure that translates to one reported crime for roughly every 139 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, while lower than the UK’s average (which is not provided for this specific metric), underscores the importance of local awareness. The population context reveals that Porthcawl’s 16,260 residents face a crime rate that, though below the national benchmark, reflects significant volatility in specific categories. The rise in violent crime and property-related offences contrasts with declines in vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour, suggesting a shifting landscape that requires targeted community vigilance.