Bedwas Crime Rate September 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Bedwas' crime profile in September 2023, accounting for 56.4% of all reported crimes. This starkly contrasts with the area's overall crime rate of 5.8 per 1,000 residents, which is 27.5% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. The dominance of violent crime in this built-up area within Caerphilly may partly explain the lower-than-average property crime rate, with only 6 property crimes reported compared to 22 violent crimes. The seasonal context of September—marking the start of the academic year and the transition to darker evenings—likely contributes to the elevated levels of violence and public order offences. While the town's proximity to Caerphilly's urban centres might suggest higher exposure to crime, the local data shows a markedly different pattern, with anti-social behaviour incidents decreasing by 57.1% from the previous month. The breakdown of crimes reveals a unique local dynamic, where 22 violent crimes (including 22 instances of violence and sexual offences) were reported alongside 8 public order incidents, creating a crime mix that is significantly more violent than the UK average. This suggests that local factors—such as community cohesion, policing strategies, or demographic characteristics—may be playing a role in shaping this particular crime profile. The relatively low rate of property crime could be linked to Bedwas' character as a smaller, more tightly knit built-up area, where social networks and community presence may act as deterrents. However, the high proportion of violent crimes raises questions about the effectiveness of local interventions during transitional periods like September, when new students and staff return to the area. The seasonal shift from summer to autumn, combined with the start of term, may create environments where conflicts escalate more readily, particularly in public spaces. This pattern of crime, while not uncommon in urban areas, is notable for its intensity in this specific context.

September 2023 saw a 100% increase in robbery and theft from the person, with both crimes rising from 0 to 1 incident. This sharp rise contrasts with a 57.1% decrease in anti-social behaviour, which fell from 7 to 3 incidents. The crime mix in Bedwas shifted significantly, with violent crimes comprising 56.4% of all reported crimes—well above the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000 for violence and sexual offences. Public order offences were 94% above the UK average, with 1.2 per 1,000 incidents reported locally. This suggests that the area's crime profile is characterised by a higher proportion of violent and disorderly incidents compared to the national picture. The UK comparison for anti-social behaviour is particularly striking: Bedwas recorded 0.4 per 1,000 incidents, 70% below the UK average of 1.3 per 1,000. This disparity may reflect local policing priorities or community engagement strategies that effectively reduce anti-social behaviour, even as other crime types rise. For residents, the increase in robbery and theft from the person is a specific concern, as these crimes are often targeted and can have significant personal impacts. The month-on-month changes highlight a dynamic crime environment, where some categories rise sharply while others decline, indicating the need for ongoing analysis of local trends.

Bedwas' crime rate in September 2023 (5.8 per 1,000) was 15.1% lower than the previous month's rate of 6.8 per 1,000, marking a downward trend in overall crime. Translating this to daily figures, the area experienced roughly 1 crime per day over the 30-day period, a localised metric that does not compare directly to UK-wide daily crime rates. On a monthly basis, the crime exposure for residents was approximately 1 reported crime for every 173 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of crime within the population. This monthly exposure rate is particularly meaningful for local residents, as it provides a tangible sense of the likelihood of encountering crime within the community. The population context further highlights the significance of these figures: with 6,763 residents in Bedwas, the 39 reported crimes equate to a relatively low incidence rate compared to larger urban areas. However, the stark contrast between Bedwas' violent crime profile and the UK average underscores the need for targeted local analysis. While the area's overall crime rate is lower than the UK average, the concentration of violent and public order offences raises questions about the effectiveness of current crime prevention strategies in managing these specific categories. The comparison to the previous month also reveals a shift in crime patterns, with the reduction in anti-social behaviour potentially indicating the success of local interventions. This nuanced picture of crime in Bedwas illustrates the importance of understanding both the absolute numbers and their relative significance within the local context.