Carmarthenshire Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Carmarthenshire’s July 2023 crime profile reveals a combination of seasonal factors and local dynamics, with violent crimes dominating the landscape. The overall crime rate of 6.2 per 1,000 residents—25.3% below the UK average—reflects a broader trend of lower-than-national-level incidents, though this contrast is not uniform across crime types. Violent crimes, including sexual offences and assault, accounted for 37.7% of all reported incidents, significantly outpacing the UK average for this category. This dominance may be partly explained by the area’s role as a tourist destination during summer, where increased foot traffic and events could heighten opportunities for interpersonal conflict. Anti-social behaviour, the second most common crime type (19.9% of total), remains 15% below the UK average, indicating effective community policing strategies or lower levels of social disorganisation. Seasonal context also plays a role: with schools closed and festivals in full swing, the peak of summer may have driven spikes in certain offences, such as robbery and bicycle theft, while simultaneously reducing property crimes like burglary through decreased occupancy. The lower-than-average rates for vehicle crime (79% below UK) and burglary (39% below UK) suggest that Carmarthenshire’s rural and semi-rural character, with less concentrated urban centres, may contribute to these differences. However, the sharp rise in robbery cases—doubling from June—raises questions about whether targeted interventions are needed to address emerging patterns, particularly in areas with high tourist activity or during late-night events. This mix of crime types, while generally lower than national benchmarks, underscores the need for tailored approaches that balance seasonal fluctuations with long-term community safety goals.

July 2023 saw a stark contrast in crime trends, with robbery cases increasing by 100% (from 2 to 4) and bicycle theft rising by 66.7% (from 3 to 5), likely linked to increased summer activity and outdoor events. Conversely, burglary and vehicle crime fell by 45.1% and 37.5% respectively, possibly reflecting the impact of school holidays and reduced foot traffic in residential areas. The dominance of violent crimes—accounting for 37.7% of all reported incidents—places Carmarthenshire significantly below the UK average for this category (17% lower). Anti-social behaviour also remains 15% below the UK average, though its share of total crimes (19.9%) suggests ongoing challenges in community cohesion. Vehicle crime rates in the area are 79% below the UK average, a figure that may be influenced by the region’s lower urban density and higher rural land use.

Carmarthenshire's July 2023 crime rate of 6.2 per 1,000 residents marks a 17.3% decline from the previous month’s 7.5 per 1,000, reflecting a sustained trend of lower crime levels. This reduction is particularly notable in property-related offences, with burglary and vehicle crime both falling by over 30% month-on-month. Daily crime figures show an average of 38 crimes reported each day in July, a figure that, while contextualised by the area’s population of 190,800, underscores the need for consistent community engagement. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 161 residents, a statistic that provides a tangible sense of risk exposure for local households. When compared to the UK average, Carmarthenshire’s overall crime rate remains 25.3% below the national figure, suggesting a broader systemic difference in policing or community dynamics. However, the sharp rise in robbery and bicycle theft highlights areas where targeted interventions may be necessary, even as the overall trend remains positive.