Carmarthenshire Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Carmarthenshire's crime profile in January 2024 was characterised by an overall rate of 1.7 crimes per 1,000 residents, placing the area 77% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This stark divergence from national trends highlights the district's relative safety, though the data reveals a combination of seasonal factors and local dynamics. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 47.7% of all reported crimes, with 152 incidents recorded—a figure 69% lower than the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 34.5% of total crimes, and remaining 39% below the national benchmark. The seasonal context of January, with its post-holiday lull in retail activity and shorter daylight hours, may have influenced the lower prevalence of property crimes such as shoplifting and burglary, which saw reductions of 90% and 95.5% respectively compared to December. However, the 26.4% increase in anti-social behaviour suggests that colder weather and reduced social engagement could have exacerbated tensions in public spaces. This pattern is consistent with rural and semi-rural areas where community cohesion is closely tied to environmental conditions. The low crime rate, despite the rise in anti-social incidents, reflects the area's generally safe environment, though targeted measures may be needed to address emerging disturbances. The data also underscores the importance of contextualising local crime trends against broader national benchmarks, as Carmarthenshire's performance in categories like drugs and public order offences (both 52-79% below UK averages) further reinforces its distinct profile compared to more urbanised regions.

January 2024 saw a notable 26.4% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from 87 to 110 incidents. This uptick, despite an overall drop in total crimes, signals a shift in the crime mix toward more frequent low-level disturbances, which may be linked to colder weather or post-holiday social dynamics. In contrast, burglary rates fell by 95.5%, with only two incidents reported compared to 44 in December, a drop consistent with seasonal patterns that reduce opportunities for forced entry crimes. Shoplifting also declined sharply by 90%, from 60 to 6 incidents, likely reflecting reduced retail footfall during the post-holiday period. Violence and sexual offences, though remaining the most common crime type (47.7% of total), were 69% below the UK average at 0.8 per 1,000. This disparity underscores Carmarthenshire's generally lower violent crime profile compared to national trends. Residents should remain aware of the rise in anti-social behaviour, which may indicate increased tensions in public spaces or the need for community-focused prevention strategies.

Carmarthenshire's crime rate in January 2024 (1.7 per 1,000 residents) marked a sharp decline from the previous month's rate of 5.1 per 1,000, reflecting a 67.3% reduction. This drop aligns with seasonal patterns typical of January, including reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours, which may have curtailed opportunities for outdoor crimes. Daily crime statistics show an average of 10 crimes reported each day, a figure that, while low, underscores the need for continued vigilance in high-risk areas. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 598 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average. This statistic, when contextualised against the local population of 190,800, highlights the area's relative safety compared to other parts of the UK. However, the absence of a UK daily crime comparison means this figure should be interpreted solely within the local context. The sustained drop in property crimes, particularly burglary and shoplifting, suggests that targeted interventions or seasonal factors may have contributed to this trend from the data alone.