Holywell (Flintshire) Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

August 2025 saw Holywell (Flintshire) record a crime rate of 12.3 per 1,000 residents, placing it 51.9% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This marked a significant rise from the previous month, reflecting a worrying trend in local crime dynamics. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 41.1% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, making up 25.2% of crimes, while shoplifting contributed 6.5%. These figures highlight a sharp contrast with the UK averages for these categories, with violence and sexual offences 78% above the national benchmark and anti-social behaviour 112% above. Seasonal factors may partly explain the elevated levels, as August is a peak holiday month. This period typically sees increased tourism, which could contribute to higher levels of anti-social behaviour and public order issues in areas frequented by visitors. However, the data also shows some unexpected patterns: shoplifting rates fell by 41.7% compared to July, due to heightened police visibility or changes in retail operations. The seasonal context also raises questions about the impact of temporary population shifts on local crime profiles. While the overall rate remains concerning, the mix of rising and falling categories suggests a combination of local and national influences shaping the area's crime profile this month.

August 2025 marked a 30.5% increase in Holywell's overall crime rate compared to July, driven by sharp rises in specific categories. Bicycle theft, robbery, and vehicle crime all saw 100% month-on-month increases, with these crimes moving from zero to one or two incidents respectively. This spike in vehicle-related crimes may reflect changes in local traffic patterns or increased vehicle presence during the holiday season. Conversely, shoplifting decreased by 41.7%, falling from 12 to 7 incidents, and criminal damage and arson dropped by 33.3%, from nine to six. These decreases could indicate the effectiveness of targeted policing efforts or seasonal factors reducing opportunities for such crimes. Violence and sexual offences remained the most significant category, with a rate of 5.1 per 1,000—78% above the UK average—suggesting ongoing challenges in managing public safety. Anti-social behaviour also saw a stark increase, with a rate of 3.1 per 1,000, 112% above the UK average. This category's sharp rise may be linked to the influx of tourists and the associated pressures on local amenities and public spaces. Meanwhile, vehicle crime, at 0.2 per 1,000, was 49% below the UK average, a notable contrast to the area's overall crime profile. This anomaly could reflect specific local conditions, such as improved vehicle security measures or reduced opportunities for theft in certain areas.

The crime rate in Holywell rose from 9.4 per 1,000 in July to 12.3 per 1,000 in August, a 30.5% increase that underscores a worrying upward trend. On a daily basis, this equates to approximately three crimes reported each day in the built-up area, a figure that may seem high to residents accustomed to lower rates. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 81 residents, highlighting the frequency of incidents in a relatively small population of 8,711. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible measure of the impact on local communities, where the risk of encountering crime is higher than the UK average. When compared to the previous month, the shift in crime types is particularly striking: while violent crimes and anti-social behaviour saw significant increases, shoplifting and criminal damage experienced declines. This suggests that the local crime profile is evolving in response to both seasonal factors and possibly changes in policing strategies. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that Holywell's crime rate remains higher than the UK average, with violent crimes at 78% above and anti-social behaviour at 112% above. These figures reinforce the need for targeted interventions to address the root causes of the rising crime rates, particularly in categories that are most significantly outpacing national trends.