Pontllanfraith Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences accounted for 36.2% of all crimes in Pontllanfraith in May 2024, making it the most prevalent category. This rate of 2.1 per 1,000 residents is 26% below the UK average for this category, suggesting a relatively lower incidence of interpersonal violence compared to national trends. The area's overall crime rate of 5.7 per 1,000 residents places it 32.1% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, highlighting a consistently safer profile than the national benchmark. Anti-social behaviour (15.5% share) and public order offences (15.5% share) followed as the next most common categories, though both saw marked disparities compared to UK averages. Public order offences, at 0.9 per 1,000, were 43% above the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000—a striking outlier that may reflect local dynamics such as increased social activity during May's extended evenings. Seasonal factors, including bank holidays and longer daylight hours, likely contributed to this spike, as outdoor drinking and socialising patterns often intensify in such conditions. The low rates of shoplifting (3.5% below UK average) and burglary (3% below UK average) suggest that commercial and residential areas may benefit from effective community engagement or environmental design features that deter such crimes. However, the sharp increase in public order offences warrants closer examination, as it indicates a potential shift in local crime patterns that could have implications for policing priorities.

Public order offences surged 800% in May 2024, jumping from 1 to 9 incidents—a dramatic increase that outpaced all other categories. This rise, while above the UK average by 43%, contrasts sharply with the 70% decline in criminal damage and arson, which fell from 10 to 3. Vehicle crime also saw a 400% increase, rising from 1 to 5, suggesting potential changes in local traffic patterns or unaddressed vulnerabilities in vehicle security. Meanwhile, shoplifting rates halved from 4 to 2, remaining 69% below the UK average, which may reflect seasonal shopping patterns or continued success in retail crime prevention strategies. The breakdown shows a shift in the crime mix, with property crimes (17) now accounting for 29.3% of all incidents, compared to violent crimes (21) at 36.2%. This suggests a slight rebalancing towards property-related offences, though both categories remain significantly below UK averages for their respective types. The area's violent crime rate (2.1 per 1,000) is 26% below the UK average, indicating a continued focus on community-based interventions that may be reducing conflict and aggression in public spaces. Residents might find the 1-in-176 resident monthly exposure rate useful for contextualising local safety, though this figure remains lower than national benchmarks.

Pontllanfraith's crime rate in May 2024 (5.7 per 1,000) remained stable compared to the previous month's rate of 5.6 per 1,000, reflecting a 1.6% increase that is effectively flat. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 2 crimes per day in May, a figure that aligns with the broader trend of low-frequency incidents characteristic of smaller built-up areas. When scaled to the local population, the monthly exposure rate of 1 crime per 176 residents illustrates a manageable level of risk for residents, though this should be contextualised against the area's unique demographic profile. The population of 10,203 means that individual risk factors are likely distributed across a relatively compact community, which may facilitate targeted policing or community engagement efforts. Comparing these figures to the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, Pontllanfraith's performance underscores the effectiveness of local strategies in maintaining safety, though the sharp rise in public order offences suggests potential challenges in addressing emerging issues. The stability in overall rates does not obscure the fact that the area's crime profile differs significantly from national averages, with certain categories (like anti-social behaviour) being 38% below the UK average. This divergence may reflect the area's specific characteristics, such as its location within Caerphilly and the presence of community initiatives that contribute to a lower incidence of disorderly conduct. However, the 43% gap in public order offences highlights a need for further analysis to understand whether this category represents a temporary anomaly or a more systemic issue.