Rhyl Crime Rate

Rhyl, a prominent coastal town in Denbighshire, has an overall crime rate of 198.5 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is significantly higher than the UK national average of 93.1, resulting in a safety score of 52/100, which is notably below the UK benchmark of 78. The crime trend in Rhyl is currently stable, showing a minor 0.5% increase year-over-year. As a busy seaside resort, Rhyl faces substantial urban safety challenges, with crime rates that are among the highest in the region. Understanding these local patterns is vital for residents and visitors to stay safe. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of crime types, time patterns, and practical safety advice for the area.

In Rhyl, violence and sexual offences are the most frequent crime types, accounting for 42.6% of all reports at a high rate of 84.6 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common (17.0%), followed by shoplifting at 9.0%. Property crime as a whole—including burglary, vehicle crime, theft, and robbery—occurs at a combined rate of 55.4 per 1,000 people. This is significantly higher than the UK average of 32.9, making property security a top priority for local homeowners and businesses. Within this category, shoplifting and 'other theft' are the most prevalent. Burglary occurs at a rate of 4.9 per 1,000, while vehicle crime stands at 2.4. For residents, these statistics highlight a challenging environment where both personal and property safety require consistent attention and robust, proactive security measures.

The crime trend in Rhyl is currently stable, with a minor 0.5% increase year-over-year. Monthly data for 2024 and 2025 shows the crime rate fluctuating, with notable peaks in the spring and summer months. The rate rose from 13.7 per 1,000 in February 2025 to a high of 20.5 in March, and reached its peak of 20.9 in August. This seasonal increase is common in coastal resorts, but the rate returned to 15.4 by October 2025. This stability suggests that while the crime rate remains high, it is not currently on a significant upward trajectory, and levels are consistent with previous periods.

How To Keep Safe in Rhyl

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

1. Town Centre Vigilance: When in the town centre or on the promenade, especially during busy periods, stay aware of your surroundings and keep your personal belongings secure to deter opportunistic theft.
2. Deter Anti-Social Behaviour: With ASB at 17.0% of total crime, ensure your home's exterior is well-lit and that your boundaries are clearly defined to discourage loitering and nuisance behaviour.
3. Secure Your Property: To combat the high property crime rate, 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. Given the vehicle crime rate, parking in a secure garage or well-lit driveway is highly recommended, especially at night.
5. Community Connection: Join a local Neighbourhood Watch or community safety group to stay informed about crime trends in your specific area and share safety tips with your neighbours.

Crime in Rhyl follows a distinct temporal pattern. Morning and afternoon hours are dominated by theft-related offences, which account for 44% and 45% of crimes in those periods respectively, likely linked to the town's retail and commercial activity. As the day progresses into the evening and night, the profile shifts toward 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which make up 64% of evening and 54% of night-time incidents. Crucially, night-time (12am-6am) sees the highest proportion of burglaries (20%) and vehicle crimes (15%), suggesting that residential and commercial properties are most vulnerable during the early hours when activity is lower.

In the local regional context, Rhyl's crime rate of 198.5 per 1,000 residents is the highest in its immediate vicinity. Nearby areas such as Rhuddlan (72.4), Kinmel Bay (114.2), Meliden (76.8), and Dyserth (71.2) all have significantly lower crime rates. This highlights Rhyl's position as a concentrated hub for reported activity and safety challenges in the area. For those living in or moving to Rhyl, the much higher crime levels compared to surrounding towns make proactive personal and property security a critical consideration.

With a high property crime rate of 55.4 per 1,000 residents, Rhyl homeowners face a significant challenge. Traditional security systems, such as basic CCTV or standard alarms, are often reactive—they only alert you once a break-in has already occurred. In a high-crime environment, proactive protection is much more effective. 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 even reach your door and respond autonomously with lights or speakers. This destroys the element of surprise and forces the intruder to move on to an easier target. For Rhyl residents, where burglary and vehicle crime are persistent issues, a proactive system like scOS offers the highest level of deterrence and the best chance of preventing a crime before it happens.