Carmarthen Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Carmarthen's crime profile in August 2023, accounting for 40.4% of all reported crimes. At 12.0 per 1,000 residents, the area's crime rate is 48.1% higher than the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This stark deviation from national trends underscores the area's unique challenges, likely influenced by its status as a historic market town with a mix of urban and rural characteristics. Violence and sexual offences alone contribute 74 incidents, a rate of 4.8 per 1,000 residents—82% above the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour follows closely at 17.5% of total crimes, with 32 incidents reported, while shoplifting accounts for 11.5% of all crimes at 21 cases. These patterns align with seasonal factors: August is a peak holiday month, increasing tourism and potentially heightening tensions in crowded spaces. The town's retail presence may contribute to shoplifting, while its vibrant social scene could exacerbate anti-social behaviour. However, direct links to specific local events or demographics, only correlations with broader seasonal trends. The dominance of violent crime contrasts sharply with the UK's generally lower rates for this category, suggesting local factors such as community dynamics or policing strategies may play a role. This profile illustrates an area where public safety initiatives could benefit from targeted interventions in high-risk zones during peak summer periods.

August 2023 saw a 128.6% increase in public order offences, rising from 7 to 16 incidents—a stark shift in the crime mix. This surge, coupled with a 100% rise in possession of weapons (from 0 to 1) and a doubling of 'other crime' reports (from 0 to 2), highlights emerging patterns in the area's criminal activity. Conversely, shoplifting dropped by 27.6% (29 to 21 cases), possibly due to increased policing during the summer tourist season or changes in retail security measures. Violent crimes remain high, with 74 incidents reported—82% above the UK average for this category. This contrast with the UK's lower violent crime rates suggests local factors such as social dynamics or environmental conditions may be influencing outcomes. The area's 'other theft' rate (0.5 per 1,000) is 21% below the UK average, indicating some areas of relative safety. These fluctuations demonstrate the need for ongoing analysis of how seasonal shifts and specific events impact different crime types. The 100% increase in 'other crime' reports, while small in absolute terms, signals a potential need for further investigation into what types of offences are being categorised here.

Carmarthen's crime rate in August 2023 (12.0 per 1,000) represents a 26.2% increase from the previous month's rate of 9.5 per 1,000. This upward trend places the area significantly above the UK average, with 48.1% more crime per capita than the national figure. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 6 crimes per day in August—equivalent to roughly one crime for every 84 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible sense of risk for residents, though it must be contextualised within the area's population of 15,295. While the increase in violent crime is particularly concerning, the rate of burglary (0.1 per 1,000) is 71% below the UK average, suggesting some areas of relative safety. The contrast between high rates of violence and lower property crime rates indicates a combination of local factors. For residents, these figures highlight the need for vigilance in public spaces, particularly during the summer months when tourism peaks and crowds increase. The comparison to the UK average also underscores the importance of local policing strategies in addressing the area's specific challenges, which may differ from national trends due to Carmarthen's unique demographic and geographic profile.