Carmarthenshire Crime Rate

Carmarthenshire presents a generally safe profile for residents and visitors, with an overall crime rate of 82.0 per 1,000 people per year. This figure places the county well below the UK average of 91.6, contributing to a solid safety score of 79/100. However, recent data from Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 shows a concerning upward trend, with total crime increasing by 36.2% year-over-year. This rise highlights the importance of staying informed about local safety patterns. While the broad rural areas remain very secure, the urban centres experience different challenges. The following analysis breaks down these figures by crime type and trend to provide a comprehensive view of the safety environment across Carmarthenshire.

About Carmarthenshire

Carmarthenshire is a diverse local authority in West Wales, characterised by a blend of bustling market towns, coastal communities, and extensive rural landscapes. As the "Garden of Wales," its economy is traditionally rooted in agriculture and tourism, though urban centres like Llanelli and Carmarthen serve as significant commercial and industrial hubs. The region features major transport links, including the M4 motorway corridor and the A48, which facilitate high volumes of transient traffic.

The population is a mix of long-standing residents and a growing number of people attracted by the area's natural beauty and lower cost of living. Urban density in towns like Llanelli contributes to higher crime concentrations compared to the sparsely populated rural north. The presence of significant retail centres and a vibrant nightlife in the larger towns also influences the crime statistics, particularly regarding anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. Economic factors, including pockets of urban deprivation contrasted with affluent rural villages, create a complex socio-economic landscape that shapes the local safety profile. Understanding these geographical and economic variations is key to interpreting the county's overall crime rate.

Crime Breakdown in Carmarthenshire

In Carmarthenshire, violence and sexual offences represent the most significant portion of recorded crime, accounting for 46.0% of the total with 7,196 reported incidents. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 10.6% (1,658 crimes) and criminal damage and arson at 10.0% (1,572 crimes). These three categories together form the majority of the local safety challenges, reflecting patterns often seen in areas with a mix of urban and rural settings.

Property-related crime across the county occurs at a rate of 22.2 per 1,000 people. This includes a broad range of offences such as burglary (572 crimes, 3.6%), vehicle crime (370 crimes, 2.4%), and shoplifting (696 crimes, 4.4%). While the burglary rate is relatively low compared to more metropolitan areas, the overall property crime figure suggests that residents and business owners should remain proactive about security. Theft-related offences, including "other theft" at 5.4%, also contribute significantly to the property crime landscape. For homeowners, this means that while the risk of serious intrusion is moderate, opportunistic theft and vandalism are more frequent concerns that warrant robust preventative measures.

Crime Trends in Carmarthenshire

The safety landscape in Carmarthenshire is undergoing a significant shift, with total crime increasing by 36.2% over the last 12 months. This is a substantial rise that residents should be aware of. Looking at the monthly trend data for 2025, the crime rate per 1,000 residents started at 6.3 in January and saw a steady climb throughout the first half of the year.

The peak occurred in July 2025, with a crime rate of 8.1 per 1,000 people. Following this mid-year high, the rate stabilised, ending the year with a consistent rate of 6.5 per 1,000 from October through to December. This pattern suggests that the summer months may see higher levels of reported incidents, possibly linked to increased tourism and outdoor activity. While the overall rate remains lower than the UK average, the 36.2% year-over-year increase is a clear indicator that proactive security and community vigilance are becoming increasingly important for those living in the county.

In a regional context, Carmarthenshire's crime rate of 82.0 per 1,000 residents is notable, as many surrounding areas show much lower figures in current reports. Neighbouring local authorities, including Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Bridgend, and Merthyr Tydfil, all recorded crime rates of 0.0 per 1,000 in this specific comparison data. While these zero-rates often reflect differences in reporting or specific data snapshots, they highlight Carmarthenshire as a primary area of recorded activity in West and South Wales. For those considering moving to the region, Carmarthenshire offers a balanced profile, but understanding how it compares to these quieter neighbours is essential for a complete safety assessment.

With property crime in Carmarthenshire occurring at a rate of 22.2 per 1,000, and an overall increasing trend in local crime, the limitations of traditional security are becoming more apparent. Standard CCTV and DIY doorbells are reactive; they provide you with a video of a crime that has already happened. In an area where crime is on the rise, homeowners need a system that stops the event from occurring in the first place.

scOS represents a shift toward proactive protection. By using multi-camera AI intelligence, it monitors your property boundaries 24/7, identifying potential threats before they reach your door. Unlike traditional systems that notify you after the fact, scOS can autonomously engage an intruder with lights and sound, removing the element of surprise. This professional-grade deterrence signals to criminals that your home is a hard target, encouraging them to move on. For Carmarthenshire residents, investing in prevention rather than just recording is the most effective way to secure their properties in a changing safety climate.

How To Keep Safe in Carmarthenshire

Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crime type in Carmarthenshire, representing 46.0% of all reported incidents. While many of these are not random public attacks, general safety awareness is important across the county.

1. When visiting larger towns like Llanelli or Carmarthen, particularly on weekend evenings, stay in well-lit, populated areas and plan your transport home in advance.
2. Be mindful of anti-social behaviour in urban centres; if you encounter a group causing a disturbance, it is best to keep your distance and report the issue to local authorities.
3. For those living in more isolated rural parts of the county, ensure that property boundaries are clearly marked and well-lit to deter opportunistic trespassers.
4. Keep all home and vehicle doors locked, even when you are on the property, to prevent the "sneak-in" thefts that can occur in both urban and rural settings.
5. Join or start a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme; these are highly effective in Carmarthenshire for sharing information about suspicious vehicles or individuals in the community.