Denbighshire Crime Rate

Denbighshire, a diverse district in North Wales, has an overall crime rate of 111.4 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is higher than the UK national average of 93.1, resulting in a safety score of 73/100, which is below the UK benchmark of 78. The crime trend in Denbighshire is currently stable, showing a minor 4.2% decrease year-over-year. As a district that includes both busy coastal resorts and quiet rural towns, Denbighshire faces a range of safety challenges. Understanding these local patterns is essential for residents to stay safe. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of crime types and practical safety suggestions for the area.

Denbighshire is a Local Authority District in North Wales, spanning from the popular coastal resorts of Rhyl and Prestatyn to the rural Vale of Clwyd and the Dee Valley. Its crime statistics are significantly influenced by this diverse geography. The coastal towns, as major tourism destinations, see higher concentrations of anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, and violent crime, particularly during the peak summer season. In contrast, the rural market towns and villages have much lower crime rates. The local economy is a mix of tourism, retail, public services, and agriculture. Denbighshire's role as a gateway to North Wales means it has significant transport links, which can influence transient crime patterns. Overall, the district faces typical urban-coastal safety challenges in its north, while maintaining a very peaceful and secure environment in its more rural south.

In Denbighshire, violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types, accounting for 43.6% of all reports at a rate of 48.6 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is also significant at 18.4%, followed by shoplifting at 8.3%. Property crime as a whole—including burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and robbery—occurs at a rate of 29.4 per 1,000 people. This is lower than the UK average of 32.9, suggesting a relatively safe environment for property owners. Within this category, shoplifting and 'other theft' are the most prevalent. Burglary occurs at a rate of 2.7 per 1,000, while vehicle crime is low at 1.6 per 1,000. For residents, these figures indicate that while personal safety and community order are the main focuses for authorities, property crime remains a factor that requires standard security precautions, particularly in the more urbanised areas.

The crime trend in Denbighshire is currently stable, with a minor 4.2% decrease year-over-year. Monthly data for 2024 and 2025 shows the crime rate fluctuating, with a notable peak in the summer months. The rate rose from 7.8 per 1,000 in February 2025 to a high of 10.7 in August 2025, reflecting the impact of the summer tourism season. By September and October, the rate had settled back to around 8.5-8.7. This stability suggests that while there are seasonal fluctuations, the underlying crime levels in the area remain consistent.

In the local regional context, Denbighshire's crime rate of 111.4 per 1,000 residents is higher than its immediate neighbours. Nearby areas such as Flintshire, Wrexham, Conwy, Gwynedd, Wirral, and Cheshire West and Chester all reported a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000 in this specific dataset. This highlights Denbighshire's position as a concentrated hub for reported activity in the region, largely due to its busy coastal towns. Despite this, the area offers a unique mix of coastal and rural living with a stable safety profile.

With a property crime rate of 29.4 per 1,000 residents, Denbighshire homeowners should consider the advantages of proactive security. Traditional CCTV systems are often reactive, providing footage only after a theft or break-in has occurred. In an area with significant seasonal tourism, a different approach is needed. scOS is an AI-powered home security operating system that monitors your property boundaries in real-time. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS can detect an intruder before they reach your home and respond autonomously by activating lights or speakers. This destroys the element of surprise and can prevent a crime before it happens. For Denbighshire residents, where shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are notable issues, a proactive system like scOS offers a superior level of deterrence and peace of mind, both in urban and rural settings.

How To Keep Safe in Denbighshire

Violence and sexual offences and anti-social behaviour are the most common crimes in Denbighshire. To stay safe across the district, consider these practical suggestions:

1. Coastal Town Vigilance: In busy resorts like Rhyl and Prestatyn, especially during the summer, stay aware of your surroundings and keep your personal belongings secure.
2. Deter Anti-Social Behaviour: With ASB at 18.4% of total crime, ensure your home's exterior is well-lit and that your boundaries are clearly defined to discourage nuisance behaviour.
3. Secure Your Property: To combat property crime, invest in high-quality locks and consider proactive security measures that monitor your property's perimeter 24/7.
4. Vehicle Safety: Always lock your car and remove all valuables. In busy tourist areas, even a small item on display can attract opportunistic thieves.
5. Report Suspicious Activity: Reporting incidents to the police helps them identify hotspots and deploy resources more effectively, especially during peak seasonal times.