Blackwood Crime Rate

Blackwood currently has an overall crime rate of 114.8 per 1,000 people, which is higher than the UK average of 91.7. Despite this higher volume of reported incidents, the area maintains a safety score of 67/100. Most significantly, Blackwood is experiencing a sharp downward trend in crime, with a 25.7% year-over-year decrease in total offences. This substantial reduction suggests that while the area has historically faced challenges, security is improving rapidly. The property crime rate of 30.3 per 1,000 is actually slightly lower than the national average, indicating that much of the area's crime is non-property related. For residents and visitors, this context shows a community that is becoming progressively safer over time.

The primary crime concerns in Blackwood are violence and sexual offences, which constitute 32.4% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common issue at 24.0%, followed by public order offences at 12.5%. Together, these categories highlight a significant volume of social and interpersonal crime. Property crime overall—which includes burglary, robbery, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—stands at a rate of 30.3 per 1,000 residents. While this is slightly below the UK average of 32.3, it remains a serious consideration for local homeowners. Shoplifting is a notable component of property crime here, accounting for 7.4% of total offences, while other theft makes up 4.8%. Burglary and vehicle crime each represent about 1.8% of the total, suggesting that while they are less frequent than violent offences, they remain a persistent threat to personal assets and residential security.

Blackwood is currently experiencing a significant downward trend in crime, with a 25.7% year-over-year reduction in total offences. Analysis of monthly data from Dec 2024 to Aug 2025 shows that crime rates peaked early in the year, reaching 15.5 per 1,000 in January. Since then, the rate has generally declined, despite a temporary rise to 15.1 in May. The most recent data from August 2025 shows a rate of 12.2, which is a marked improvement from the start of the period. This sustained decrease is a positive indicator for the community, suggesting that crime prevention efforts and police interventions are successfully lowering the volume of both violent and property-related incidents in the area.

How To Keep Safe in Blackwood

Given that violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Blackwood, personal safety should be a primary focus. When out in the town centre, especially during the evening, stay in well-lit areas and stick to busy routes where possible. If you are using public transport or taxis late at night, plan your journey in advance. For business owners and residents, the prevalence of shoplifting and other theft suggests that keeping valuables out of sight and using visible security measures is essential. To deter anti-social behaviour, ensure that the front of your property is well-maintained and well-lit. Reporting any suspicious activity to the local police helps them to better allocate resources to the areas that need them most. Finally, always double-check that your vehicle is locked and that no bags or electronics are left on display, particularly if parking overnight.

Crime timing in Blackwood shows clear peaks that align with daily activity. Theft-related offences, including shoplifting, are most frequent during the afternoon (41%) and morning (37%), coinciding with peak retail hours. Conversely, violence and anti-social behaviour tend to rise in the evening and late-night hours. Property crimes like burglary and vehicle crime are most likely to occur during the night (12am - 6am), with vehicle crime specifically making up 22% of incidents in this period. Burglary also remains a risk during the afternoon (13%), likely when homes are left unattended. Residents should be particularly vigilant about vehicle security overnight and ensure that homes are properly secured during both the afternoon and the early hours of the morning.

In the context of the local region, Blackwood's crime rate of 114.8 is the highest among its immediate neighbours. Nearby Fleur-de-lis and Pengam report a lower rate of 82.6, while Pontllanfraith is significantly lower at 59.5. More residential areas such as Tir-y-berth and Glan-y-nant (51.6) and Oakdale (45.7) offer the lowest crime rates in the vicinity. Blackwood’s status as a major local hub for shopping and transport likely contributes to its higher figures compared to these more suburban settlements. However, the rapid 25.7% decrease in Blackwood's crime rate is closing the gap with its safer neighbours.

With a property crime rate of 30.3 per 1,000, Blackwood residents should consider proactive security measures. Traditional CCTV systems are often reactive, providing evidence only after a crime has been committed. In contrast, scOS offers an AI-powered home security operating system designed to prevent crime before it happens. By monitoring all cameras simultaneously, scOS can detect threats at the property boundary. Its autonomous response system can activate lights and speakers to deter intruders the moment they are identified. For homeowners in Blackwood, the ability to stop a burglary or vehicle theft before it occurs is far more valuable than simply having footage of the event. Professional-grade protection like scOS signals to potential criminals that your property is a high-risk target, often causing them to move on to easier opportunities.