Sarn Crime Rate

Sarn has an overall crime rate of 92.4 per 1,000 people, which is almost identical to the UK average of 91.7. The area's safety score stands at 78/100, placing it just one point below the UK national average of 79/100. Over the last 12 months, Sarn has seen a 15.1% increase in crime, indicating a notable upward trend in reported offences. With a population of 12,531, Sarn is a key urban settlement in Bridgend that experiences a typical mix of social and property-related security challenges. While violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type, the area's property crime rate remains lower than the national average. The following report provides a detailed breakdown of these statistics and practical advice for residents.

Crime Breakdown in Sarn

Crime in Sarn is primarily dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 40.4% of all recorded incidents (468 crimes). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 17.4% and public order offences at 11.6%. Together, these three categories form the majority of police activity in the area. When looking at property crime as a whole—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and theft—the rate is 21.2 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average property crime rate of 32.3, suggesting that Sarn is relatively secure against theft and break-ins.

Within the property crime category, shoplifting is the most frequent sub-type at 7.9%, followed by criminal damage and arson at 6.2%. Burglary is notably low, representing only 1.5% of total crime with 17 recorded incidents. Vehicle crime is also relatively infrequent at 2.5% (29 incidents). For residents, this data suggests that while personal safety and public order are the main statistical concerns, the risk of property-related crime is lower than in many other urban settlements of a similar size. This makes Sarn a relatively secure residential area for homeowners.

Crime Trends in Sarn

The crime trend in Sarn is currently upward, with a 15.1% increase in recorded offences over the last year. Analysis of monthly data from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 shows that after a relatively steady start to the year, crime rates began to rise in the spring.

A peak was observed in June 2025 with 9.6 crimes per 1,000 people. Rates remained elevated throughout the summer and autumn, with significant activity in July (8.5) and October (8.5). The year ended with a rate of 7.7 in November. This overall upward trend suggests that Sarn has experienced more frequent police activity over the last 12 months. For residents, this increase highlights the importance of staying informed and maintaining good personal and home security practices.

How To Keep Safe in Sarn

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types in Sarn, accounting for over 40% of all recorded incidents. This highlights the importance of personal safety and situational awareness for all residents.

To stay safe in Sarn:

• Be Aware in Public Spaces: Stay mindful of your surroundings, especially when walking alone in the evenings. Stick to well-lit routes and avoid areas that feel isolated or poorly monitored.
• Report Anti-Social Behaviour: With ASB being the second most common crime, reporting disruptive behaviour to the local police helps ensure that patrols are directed to the areas that need them most.
• Secure Your Home Perimeter: To prevent public order issues or anti-social behaviour from impacting your home, ensure that fences and gates are in good repair and that your property is well-lit at night.
• Keep Valuables Hidden: When out in public, keep your phone and wallet secure. Opportunistic theft often occurs when items are left unattended or clearly visible.
• Engage with Local Safety Groups: Participating in community safety initiatives or neighbourhood watch schemes can help you stay informed about local issues and build a safer environment for everyone.

Crime in Sarn shows clear temporal shifts. During the morning and afternoon, theft is the most frequent offence, making up 48% and 54% of incidents respectively. This suggests that retail areas and commercial activity are the primary focus during daylight hours. As the evening arrives, the percentage of 'Other' crimes—including public order and anti-social behaviour—rises significantly to 53%, reflecting a shift toward social-related issues. Night-time (12am-6am) sees a notable rise in the proportion of vehicle crime, which accounts for 37% of all night-time offences. Burglary also peaks proportionally at night (13%) and in the afternoon (12%). This data suggests that while social offences are a daytime and evening concern, property and vehicle protection are most critical during the late-night hours.

In comparison to nearby areas, Sarn has a higher crime rate (92.4) than Bettws (71.9) and Pen-y-fai (40.6). Nearby Pen-y-cae and Llangeinor both reported zero crimes, which is typical for very small, residential settlements. Sarn's crime profile is more representative of a larger urban settlement with a mix of residential and commercial activity. While its crime rate is higher than some of its immediate neighbours, it remains very close to the UK national average, making it a statistically typical urban area for the South Wales region.

Sarn's property crime rate of 21.2 per 1,000 people is comfortably below the national average, but the recent 15.1% increase in overall crime suggests that maintaining proactive home security is more important than ever. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or DIY alarm kits, are often reactive—they only provide evidence after a crime has been committed.

For Sarn homeowners, scOS offers a proactive alternative. This AI-powered home security operating system uses multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries in real-time. It can identify potential threats, such as loitering or unauthorised vehicle access, before a break-in occurs. With autonomous responses like activating lights and speakers, scOS can deter intruders before they even reach your door. It also features DVLA vehicle verification to instantly flag unknown cars. By choosing a professional-grade, proactive system, you ensure that your home remains a difficult target, helping to keep Sarn's burglary and property crime rates low.