Ceredigion Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Ceredigion's December 2023 crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents placed the area 36.1% below the UK average, a position that reflects a combination of geographic and demographic factors. As a largely rural district with coastal and inland areas, Ceredigion's crime profile is shaped by its sparse population density and limited urban centres, which may contribute to lower rates of property crime compared to densely populated regions. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 52.9% of all incidents, a figure that was 8% below the UK average for the category. This suggests that while violent crime remains a concern, local efforts or environmental factors—such as the area's seasonal rhythms—may mitigate its impact. Public order offences followed at 9.9%, with anti-social behaviour at 7.8%, both of which were significantly below national averages. The seasonal context of December, marked by Christmas shopping, dark evenings, and the holiday season, likely influenced crime patterns, with increased foot traffic in retail areas driving shoplifting incidents. compared to November. The overall crime rate, while lower than the UK average, highlights the need for continued vigilance in addressing specific vulnerabilities, such as the doubling of theft from the person cases, which may be linked to increased public gatherings and the movement of goods during the festive period.

December 2023 saw a stark rise in theft from the person, with incidents doubling from one to two, a 100% increase that demands attention from residents. This surge, though small in absolute terms, could signal heightened vulnerability during holiday periods when valuables are more likely to be carried in public. Meanwhile, possession of weapons rose by 50%, moving from four to six incidents, a shift that may reflect seasonal fluctuations in alcohol-related disputes or other factors tied to festive gatherings. Burglary also increased by 10%, climbing from 10 to 11 cases, though this remains well below the UK average for the category. The most significant decline was in criminal damage and arson, which fell by 53.1% from 32 to 15 incidents—likely influenced by the typically lower outdoor activity during winter and the reduced presence of transient populations. These fluctuations highlight the need for vigilance in areas prone to anti-social behaviour, where crime rates are 57% below the UK average, and in public spaces where shoplifting dropped by 35.7% from 28 to 18 cases.

Ceredigion's December 2023 crime rate of 4.6 per 1,000 residents marked a 20% decrease from November's 5.7 per 1,000, reflecting a continued trend of lower-than-average crime in the area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 218 residents, a figure that contextualises the monthly exposure in a way that highlights the relatively low frequency of incidents. On a daily basis, the area saw approximately 11 crimes reported each day, a local metric that does not include UK-wide comparisons. This daily rate, while consistent with seasonal patterns, underscores the importance of awareness during peak periods such as Christmas shopping and holiday gatherings. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Ceredigion's crime profile remains significantly below the UK average, with violent crime rates 8% lower than the national benchmark for violence and sexual offences. This contrast with the UK average suggests that local factors—such as the area's rural character and community policing efforts—may partly explain the sustained reduction in crime.