The question of why violence and sexual offences appear prevalent in Bethesda, Gwynedd, requires a careful examination of the available data. While the perception of prevalence might be driven by specific incidents, the statistics offer a nuanced picture. Bethesda, a built-up area (BUA) with a population of 4668, currently has a crime rate of 71.1 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is notably lower than the UK average of 91.6 incidents per 1,000 residents.
However, the query specifically highlights concerns about violence and sexual offences. It’s crucial to understand that the overall crime rate figure encompasses a wider range of offences, including theft, criminal damage, and public order offences. Without a breakdown of the types of crimes contributing to Bethesda’s 71.1 rate, it's difficult to definitively state why violence and sexual offences are perceived as particularly prominent.
Despite the lower overall crime rate, Bethesda boasts a safety score of 82/100, which is higher than the UK average of 79/100. This suggests that, overall, residents perceive the area as relatively safe. The difference between the overall crime rate and the safety score indicates that other factors beyond recorded crime influence perceptions of safety, such as community cohesion and visible policing.
It’s important to note that crime statistics can be influenced by various factors including reporting rates, population density, and socio-economic conditions. Without access to more granular data concerning the specific categories of violence and sexual offences within Bethesda, attributing the perception of prevalence to a single cause is not possible. Further investigation into the nature of reported incidents and community perspectives would be required to provide a more complete understanding of the situation.