Prestatyn Crime Rate

Prestatyn, a popular coastal town in Denbighshire, has an overall crime rate of 97.0 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is slightly higher than the UK national average of 93.1, resulting in a safety score of 78/100, which matches the UK benchmark. Most notably, the crime trend in Prestatyn is on a significant downward trajectory, with a 16.2% decrease year-over-year. This combination of a stable safety baseline and a rapidly improving trend makes the town an increasingly attractive and secure location for its residents. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of local crime statistics, time patterns, and practical advice to help you stay safe.

In Prestatyn, violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types, accounting for 38.6% of all reports at a rate of 37.4 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is also significant at 23.3%, followed by shoplifting at 13.0%. Property crime as a whole—including burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and robbery—occurs at a rate of 28.6 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 is the most prevalent offence, particularly in the town's retail areas. Burglary occurs at a rate of 2.2 per 1,000, while vehicle crime stands at 1.5. For residents, these figures indicate that while personal safety and community order are key focuses, property crime is a present but manageable factor that requires standard security precautions.

The crime trend in Prestatyn is very positive, showing a significant 16.2% decrease year-over-year. Monthly data for 2024 and 2025 shows the crime rate peaked at 10.1 per 1,000 in March 2025, but generally remained between 5.5 and 9.5 for the rest of the year. The lowest point was recorded in January 2025 at 5.5. This consistent reduction, with rates in the latter half of 2025 staying below 9.0, indicates that crime prevention strategies in the town are proving highly effective. For residents, this suggests an environment that is not only safe but actively becoming more secure.

How To Keep Safe in Prestatyn

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

1. Retail Area Vigilance: When shopping in the town centre or at the retail park, stay aware of your surroundings and keep your personal belongings secure to deter opportunistic theft.
2. Deter Anti-Social Behaviour: With ASB at 23.3% 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, especially during the summer.
5. Report Suspicious Activity: Reporting incidents to the police helps them identify hotspots and deploy resources more effectively, supporting the town's ongoing decrease in crime.

Crime in Prestatyn follows a clear temporal pattern. Morning and afternoon hours are focused on theft-related offences, accounting for 49% and 51% of crimes in those periods respectively, likely linked to the town's retail activity. As evening approaches, the profile shifts toward 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour, which makes up 57% of evening and 46% of night-time incidents. Crucially, night-time (12am-6am) sees the highest proportion of burglaries (21%) and vehicle crimes (22%), highlighting that properties are most vulnerable during the early hours when street activity is at its lowest.

In the local regional context, Prestatyn's crime rate of 97.0 per 1,000 residents sits between its neighbours. It is safer than nearby Rhyl (198.5), but has higher reported crime than Meliden (76.8), Gronant (85.8), and Dyserth (71.2). As a major coastal town and retail hub, Prestatyn naturally sees more activity than smaller villages. However, its current decreasing trend is a positive sign for the entire area, offering a secure coastal lifestyle that compares well with national averages.

With a property crime rate of 28.6 per 1,000 residents, Prestatyn 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 a town with significant seasonal tourism and a busy retail centre, 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 Prestatyn 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, helping to maintain the town's positive downward crime trend.