Carmarthen Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Carmarthen's crime profile in October 2024 reveals stark disparities compared to national trends. The built-up area within Carmarthenshire recorded a crime rate of 13.1 per 1,000 residents, 61.7% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. Violence and sexual offences dominated, accounting for 46.5% of all reported crimes, with a rate of 6.1 per 1,000—128% above the UK average. This category alone contributed significantly to the overall discrepancy, likely reflecting the area's dense population and social dynamics in a mid-sized town. Shoplifting emerged as another outlier, with 33 incidents recorded (16.5% of total crimes) at a rate of 2.2 per 1,000—206% above the UK average. This sharp divergence may partly explain the overall elevated crime rate, given the town's retail presence along its main thoroughfares. Anti-social behaviour, at 1.1 per 1,000, was the only category below the UK average, suggesting some areas of the town maintain relatively stable community interactions. Seasonal factors in October—darker evenings, Halloween celebrations, and the clocks going back—may have amplified incidents of violence and anti-social behaviour, as reduced visibility and increased foot traffic in commercial districts could create environments conducive to such crimes. The town's character as a regional hub with both urban and rural elements may contribute to this complex picture, where concentrated retail activity and social spaces coexist with more isolated residential areas.

Month-on-month changes in October 2024 revealed contrasting trends across crime categories. Theft from the person surged by 200% (1 to 3 incidents), likely linked to Halloween-related activities or increased pocket-picking in crowded areas. Shoplifting rose sharply by 83.3% (18 to 33 incidents), with the rate of 2.2 per 1,000 far exceeding the UK average of 0.7 per 1,000. This spike may reflect seasonal shopping patterns or targeted retail theft during October. Burglary also increased by 66.7% (3 to 5 incidents).3 per 1,000 remains slightly below the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000. Conversely, possession of weapons fell by 66.7% (3 to 1 incident), and public order offences decreased by 41.2% (17 to 10), potentially indicating a reduction in alcohol-fuelled disputes during the month. The shift in crime mix shows a marked increase in property-related crimes compared to the previous month, with violent crimes maintaining a dominant share. For residents, the 206% above UK average rate for shoplifting highlights a specific concern for local businesses, suggesting targeted policing or community initiatives may be warranted. The 200% increase in theft from the person, while small in absolute terms, underscores the need for vigilance in public spaces during October.

Carmarthen's crime rate of 13.1 per 1,000 in October 2024 represents a 7.0% increase from the previous month's 12.2 per 1,000, reflecting a persistent upward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 6 crimes per day, a figure that may feel more pronounced in a town of 15,295 residents where 1 reported crime occurred for roughly every 76 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, while not directly comparable to UK-wide figures, highlights the frequency of incidents within the built-up area. When scaled to population, the 61.7% gap between Carmarthen's rate and the UK average becomes even more striking—each resident in the town faces over 1.5 times the risk of crime compared to the national average. This disparity is particularly evident in violent crimes, where the local rate is 128% above the UK average. The comparison also reveals that Carmarthen's anti-social behaviour rate (1.1 per 1,000) is 15% below the UK average of 1.3 per 1,000, suggesting that certain community policing efforts or social cohesion initiatives may be effective in curbing such incidents. However, the sharp divergence in shoplifting and drug-related crimes indicates significant areas where local crime patterns diverge from national norms, warranting closer attention from local authorities and residents alike.