Porthcawl Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Porthcawl’s crime rate in February 2026 stood at 5.2 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 18.8% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This performance reflects a combination of local factors and seasonal dynamics. The most significant category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41.7% of all reported crimes, with a rate of 2.2 per 1,000—just 5% below the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour followed at 13.1% of total crimes, with a rate of 0.7 per 1,000, 23% below the UK average. These figures suggest that while violent crime remains a concern, community-focused policing efforts may be yielding results. Shoplifting, however, presented a contrasting pattern: its rate of 0.7 per 1,000 was 21% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This could be linked to Porthcawl’s retail presence, particularly during winter months when local shops may experience higher foot traffic or targeted activity. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may have influenced the balance between property and violent crime, with fewer opportunities for outdoor theft but persistent issues in high-traffic retail areas. The area’s relatively low overall crime rate compared to the UK suggests effective local strategies, though targeted interventions for shoplifting and public order offences may still be necessary.

February 2026 saw notable shifts in Porthcawl’s crime profile, with several categories experiencing significant month-on-month changes. 'Other crime' surged by 400%, rising from 1 to 5 incidents, a jump that could reflect underreported or newly emerging types of criminal activity. Vehicle crime also doubled, increasing from 1 to 2 incidents, possibly linked to seasonal variations in car usage or parking patterns. Robbery, which had not occurred in the previous month, rose to 1 incident—a 100% increase. These rises contrasted with decreases in criminal damage and arson, which fell by 80% (from 5 to 1), and possession of weapons, which dropped by 50% (from 2 to 1). The data also highlights stark UK comparisons: shoplifting and public order offences were both above the UK average, while anti-social behaviour and other theft were significantly below. For residents, the most immediate concern may be the 21% increase in shoplifting compared to the UK average, which could indicate a need for enhanced retail security measures. Meanwhile, the sharp decline in criminal damage and arson—down 80% from January—may suggest successful fire prevention initiatives or a seasonal reduction in incidents tied to colder weather.

Porthcawl’s crime rate in February 2026 (5.2 per 1,000) marked an 8.7% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.7 per 1,000, reflecting a continued downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 3 crimes per day over the 28-day month, a figure that contextualises the pace of criminal activity for local residents. When scaled to the population of 16,260, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 194 residents over the course of February—a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average. This suggests that Porthcawl’s residents face a lower risk of victimisation compared to the national picture, though the localised spikes in shoplifting and public order offences indicate areas requiring targeted attention. The population-scaled perspective also highlights the significance of the 400% increase in 'other crime'—a single additional incident per month equates to a 0.03 per 1,000 rise in the overall rate, underscoring how even small changes can impact the local crime profile. While the overall rate remains below the UK average, the disparity in specific categories (such as shoplifting) illustrates the importance of granular analysis for effective policing and community engagement strategies.