Aberystwyth Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In August 2024, Aberystwyth’s crime rate stood at 12.0 per 1,000 residents, placing it 46.3% above the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000. This rate translates to one reported crime for roughly every 84 residents over the course of the month. The most prevalent crimes were violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 43.2% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (11.7%) and criminal damage and arson (10.7%). These figures reflect a pattern consistent with Aberystwyth’s character as a coastal university town, where seasonal tourism and student populations may intersect with local crime dynamics. The elevated rate of violence and sexual offences—5.2 per 1,000 compared to the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000—suggests a need for targeted community engagement in areas frequented by both residents and visitors. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour, though lower than the UK average, remains a persistent concern, potentially linked to the town’s nightlife and summer influx of tourists. The seasonality of August, a peak holiday month, likely amplifies risks associated with empty properties and increased foot traffic, which may contribute to higher rates of criminal damage and arson. These patterns underscore the importance of contextual factors in shaping local crime profiles, even as they diverge from national averages.

August 2024 saw significant fluctuations in Aberystwyth’s crime profile. Robbery incidents surged by 200%, rising from one to three cases—a sharp increase that may reflect heightened vulnerability during the summer months when temporary residents or tourists are more prevalent. Bicycle theft also doubled, with two reported cases, possibly linked to the town’s tourism-driven infrastructure and the increased presence of cyclists during warmer weather. Criminal damage and arson rose by 50%, climbing from 14 to 21 incidents, a trend that could be connected to the seasonal abandonment of properties by holidaymakers or the strain on local resources during peak tourist season. Conversely, shoplifting decreased by 35.3%, from 17 to 11 cases, a reduction that may align with lower retail footfall during August, when many businesses close for summer breaks or operate reduced hours. Drug-related crimes in Aberystwyth were 355% above the UK average, at 1.0 per 1,000 residents, a stark figure that could be attributed to the town’s proximity to major transport routes or the transient nature of its population during holidays. These shifts highlight the dynamic interplay between local conditions and crime patterns, offering insights into how specific sectors of the community may be affected.

Aberystwyth’s crime rate in August 2024 rose by 4.3% compared to the previous month, moving from 11.5 to 12.0 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, translates to a daily crime rate of approximately six incidents per day—a figure that residents may find more tangible than aggregate statistics. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 84 residents, a monthly exposure that, while not immediately alarming, underscores the frequency of incidents in a relatively small population of 16,473. When viewed against the UK average, Aberystwyth’s rate remains significantly higher, but the town’s unique demographic profile—combining a university population with a seasonal influx of tourists—creates a distinct context for crime. The town’s crime profile also reveals disparities when compared to national averages: drug-related offences, for instance, are 355% above the UK average, a figure that may reflect the challenges of managing a transient population. However, anti-social behaviour in Aberystwyth is 3% below the UK average, suggesting that local efforts to mitigate such incidents may be having some effect. These comparisons highlight both the challenges and the opportunities for targeted interventions in a community where crime patterns are shaped by a complex mix of factors, including tourism, education, and seasonal transitions.