Blackwood Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For an area with a population of 11,328 residents, Blackwood recorded 171 crimes in May 2025, translating to a crime rate of 15.1 per 1,000 people. This figure is 86.4% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, placing the area in a starkly different position compared to national trends. The breakdown of crimes reveals a concentration in violent and property-related incidents, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 31.0% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour at 22.8% and public order offences at 15.8%. These figures suggest that the area's crime profile is heavily influenced by social dynamics, with public spaces and community interactions playing a significant role. The seasonal context of May, with its longer evenings and increased socialising, may partly explain the elevated rates of anti-social behaviour and public order offences. Additionally, the presence of retail hubs and high foot traffic areas likely contributes to the higher incidence of shoplifting and other theft-related crimes. While the overall rate is significantly higher than the UK average, certain categories, such as vehicle crime and burglary, show lower rates compared to national benchmarks, indicating that the area's unique characteristics may be moderating some types of criminal activity. The data underscores the need for targeted interventions in high-impact areas while also acknowledging the broader social and environmental factors that shape local crime patterns.

The month-on-month data reveals stark shifts in specific crime categories. Shoplifting, for instance, saw a dramatic increase of 275%, rising from 4 to 15 incidents, likely tied to the extended evenings and increased outdoor socialising typical of May. Similarly, other theft and drugs-related crimes both jumped by 175% and 200% respectively, suggesting a possible uptick in opportunistic behaviour during the bank holiday season. These changes contrast sharply with the notable decline in burglary, which dropped by 66.7% from 3 to 1 incident, possibly due to seasonal factors or effective local measures. Anti-social behaviour also saw a 26.4% decrease, moving from 53 to 39 incidents, though this remains 139% above the UK average. The data also highlights that certain categories, such as public order offences, are 314% above the UK average, indicating a significant divergence in local crime patterns. For residents, the 275% surge in shoplifting is a concrete example of how specific trends can impact daily life, particularly in retail areas.

Blackwood's crime rate in May 2025 rose 24.0% from the previous month's 12.2 per 1,000 to 15.1 per 1,000, reflecting a persistent upward trend. With 171 crimes reported over 31 days, this equates to roughly 6 crimes per day, a figure that underscores the frequency of incidents in a built-up area. On a monthly basis, the data shows that one reported crime occurred for every 66 residents, a statistic that highlights the scale of exposure for the local population. While this rate is significantly higher than the UK average, it is important to contextualise these figures within the area's characteristics. Blackwood, as a built-up area within Caerphilly, likely experiences unique dynamics such as higher foot traffic in public spaces, which may contribute to the elevated rates of anti-social behaviour and public order offences. The decrease in burglary by 66.7% and vehicle crime by 25.0% suggests that some areas or crime types may be seeing targeted interventions, though the overall upward movement in other categories indicates broader challenges.