Aberystwyth Crime Rate January 2025 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile of Aberystwyth in January 2025 reveals a striking imbalance between violent and property crimes, with violence and sexual offences dominating the landscape at 44% of all reported incidents. This figure, which translates to 4.7 per 1,000 residents, is 87% above the UK average for this category, suggesting a high incidence of personal crimes in the area. The second-largest category, drugs-related offences at 16.6% (1.8 per 1,000), is 592% above the UK average, indicating a significant localised issue that may relate to the area's proximity to university campuses or transient populations. In contrast, burglary and vehicle crime remain well below national averages, at 33% and 76% below respectively, a pattern consistent with the area's built-up character and potential for community-focused policing. Seasonal factors likely contribute to the overall crime rate of 10.6 per 1,000, which is 49.3% above the UK average. January's shorter days and post-holiday context may have reduced opportunities for outdoor crimes typically associated with summer, yet the high proportion of violent crimes suggests that factors such as social interaction density, nightlife activity, or transient populations may play a role. The area's unique position as a coastal town with a university presence likely influences its crime mix, with academic institutions driving both drug-related incidents and anti-social behaviour. However, the marked absence of property crime compared to the UK average contrasts with typical patterns seen in urban centres, suggesting that local policing strategies, community engagement, or geographic characteristics may be at play. This combination of factors necessitates a nuanced understanding of Aberystwyth's specific context to interpret its crime trends accurately.

January 2025 saw sharp increases in drug-related crimes, with incidents rising by 123.1% compared to the previous month. This surge, from 13 to 29 cases, suggests a significant shift in local crime dynamics that may relate to seasonal or economic factors. Concurrently, shoplifting and other theft rose by 100% each, despite the post-holiday period typically associated with reduced retail footfall. These increases contrast with a 60% decline in 'other crime' incidents, which fell from five to two cases. Anti-social behaviour rates in Aberystwyth were 29% below the UK average, a discrepancy that may reflect the area's community policing efforts or demographic characteristics. The stark divergence between violent crimes—49% above the UK average—and burglary rates—33% below the UK average—highlights a unique crime mix that diverges from national patterns. Residents might find the 100% rise in shoplifting particularly concerning, given the area's reliance on tourism and retail activity.

Aberystwyth's crime rate in January 2025 rose to 10.6 per 1,000 residents, marking a 26.7% increase from the previous month's 8.4 per 1,000. This shift raises questions about seasonal or situational factors influencing local crime patterns. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 6 reported crimes per day in January—a figure that, while consistent with the area's built-up character, underscores the need for vigilance. Over the course of the month, one crime was reported for every 94 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when contextualised against the population of 16,473, suggests a moderate but notable presence of crime relative to the area's size. This rate is higher than the UK average but must be interpreted alongside Aberystwyth's unique demographic and geographic profile, which includes a mix of student populations, tourist infrastructure, and rural proximity. The contrast between Aberystwyth's crime profile and the UK average highlights the importance of localised factors in shaping crime trends, even within a relatively small built-up area.