Barmouth Crime Rate

Barmouth's crime profile reveals a striking contrast: while the area is among the safest in the UK, a sharp rise in drug-related crime has emerged as a concern. With a crime rate of 38.0 per 1,000 — 58% below the UK average — the town's overall safety is evident. Yet the 800% year-on-year increase in drug-related incidents highlights a need for targeted local action. This balance between low crime and a specific emerging trend shapes the daily lives of residents.

Barmouth is a coastal town in Gwynedd, Wales, known for its scenic beauty and historic charm. As a built-up area with a population of 6,573, it combines residential living with small-scale commerce. Its proximity to natural attractions and a relatively low population density likely contribute to lower crime rates compared to larger urban centres. The town's character — with a mix of older homes, local shops, and a strong sense of community — may help mitigate anti-social behaviour and property crime.

The most surprising finding is the sharp rise in drug-related crime, which increased by 800% year-on-year despite remaining 57% below the UK average. This could reflect heightened localised issues or increased reporting due to improved policing. Violence and sexual offences, though still below the UK average, rose by 21% YoY. This may be linked to seasonal factors, such as increased social interaction during warmer months. Anti-social behaviour, while stable, remains 49% below the UK average, due to Barmouth's close-knit community dynamics. Property crime overall is 74.8% below the UK average, with burglary and vehicle crime at particularly low levels — likely due to the town's lower population density and limited commercial activity compared to urban areas.

Crime in Barmouth remained stable year-on-year, with a -3.5% change over the past 12 months. However, drug-related crime saw a dramatic 800% increase, which may indicate localised issues or improved reporting mechanisms. Other theft and public order crimes also rose by 6% and 23% respectively, though they remain significantly below UK averages. Violence and sexual offences increased by 21% YoY, potentially linked to seasonal factors such as increased social activity during warmer months. The overall stability of Barmouth's crime profile — despite these sharp increases in specific categories — highlights its continued position as one of the UK's safest areas.

How To Keep Safe in Barmouth

Given Barmouth's low crime rate, proactive measures should focus on property-specific risks. For residents concerned about drug-related incidents, community engagement initiatives — such as local reporting systems — may help address emerging issues. To protect against the small but notable risk of burglary (0.5 per 1,000), consider securing ground-floor windows and using motion-sensor lighting. For theft concerns, avoid leaving valuables in vehicles during the night, when vehicle crime peaks (7% of incidents occur between 12am-6am). Since public order incidents are more common at night, avoid isolated areas after 10pm and report suspicious behaviour through 101.

Crime in Barmouth shows distinct patterns across the day. Theft peaks in the afternoon (12pm-6pm), aligning with retail activity and pedestrian traffic. Vehicle crime is most common at night (12am-6am), possibly due to fewer witnesses and isolated parking areas. Other crimes, such as public order incidents, dominate late at night (12am-6am), reflecting the town's low population density and limited nightlife. The absence of significant evening spikes in violence or sexual offences suggests a community profile with limited late-night social activity.

Compared to the UK average, Barmouth is significantly safer, with a crime rate 58.2% lower than the national figure of 91.0 per 1,000. Property crime is even further below average, at 74.8% lower than the UK's 31.9 per 1,000. This suggests that Barmouth's low population density, strong community cohesion, and limited urban characteristics contribute to its secure environment compared to larger towns and cities.

For Barmouth residents, home security remains a priority even in this low-crime area. While the overall crime rate is 58.2% below the UK average, property crime — particularly burglary — is still 86% below the national level, scOS offers a proactive approach to security, using AI to monitor property perimeters and distinguish between routine activity and potential threats. With Barmouth's burglary rate at 0.5 per 1,000, scOS's real-time detection and deterrent features provide an extra layer of protection without overcomplicating daily life. Its ability to identify unfamiliar vehicles and trigger automated lighting aligns with the area's low vehicle crime rate (97% below the UK average), offering targeted prevention.