Blackwood Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Blackwood’s August 2024 crime rate of 15.7 per 1,000 residents is 91.5% above the UK average, underscoring the area’s distinct position relative to the national picture. This built-up area within Caerphilly, with its mix of urban and semi-rural characteristics, faces a crime profile that diverges sharply from the UK’s overall trends. Violence and sexual offences (28.7% of total crimes) and anti-social behaviour (26.4%) dominate the breakdown, both significantly exceeding UK averages by 67% and 192%, respectively. Shoplifting (14.0%) and public order offences (13.5%) also remain high, with the latter 233% above the UK average. These patterns may be influenced by Blackwood’s role as a commuter hub and its proximity to recreational areas, which could contribute to higher rates of anti-social behaviour and petty theft. Seasonal factors also appear to play a role, as August—typically a peak holiday month—may have increased foot traffic in local shops and public spaces, exacerbating shoplifting and public order issues. However, the decline in vehicle crime (78% below UK average) suggests that reduced traffic or seasonal changes in parking habits could have mitigated some risks. While the overall rate remains elevated, the month-on-month decrease from July (17.0 to 15.7 per 1,000) indicates some fluctuation in local dynamics. The contrast between Blackwood’s crime profile and the UK’s national data highlights the need for tailored approaches to policing and community engagement, particularly in addressing the persistent overrepresentation of violent and anti-social crimes.

August 2024 saw sharp increases in shoplifting (+38.9%, from 18 to 25 incidents) and anti-social behaviour (+14.6%, from 41 to 47), both of which remained far above UK averages. Public order offences also rose by 9.1% (22 to 24), though these remained high compared to the UK’s 0.6 per 1,000. Conversely, vehicle crime plummeted by 91.7% (from 12 to 1), a drop that may reflect reduced traffic or seasonal changes in parking patterns. Drug-related offences fell by 66.7% (from 3 to 1), and possession of weapons also declined by 66.7% (from 3 to 1). These divergent trends suggest that local factors—such as holiday activity influencing shoplifting or changes in community engagement—may have played a role. For residents, the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour, which accounted for 26.4% of all crimes, may be particularly concerning, as it exceeds the UK average by 192%.

Blackwood’s August 2024 crime rate of 15.7 per 1,000 residents places it 91.5% above the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000, a stark contrast to the national picture. This rate, however, marks a 7.8% decrease from July’s 17.0 per 1,000, suggesting some moderation in the upward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately six crimes per day in August, a figure that, while locally significant, does not align with national daily averages (which are not provided). Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for roughly every 64 residents, highlighting the frequency of incidents within this built-up area of Caerphilly. Given the population of 11,328, this translates to a relatively high exposure to crime compared to UK-wide benchmarks, though the decline from July indicates potential shifts in local dynamics or enforcement efforts. The contrast between Blackwood’s rates and the UK average underscores the need for targeted local strategies, as the area’s profile differs from the broader national context.