Caernarfon Crime Rate

Crime in Caernarfon

Caernarfon is a busy historic and commercial hub with a crime rate that reflects its urban activity. The overall crime rate stands at 161.8 per 1,000 people per year, which is significantly higher than the UK national average of 93.1. This has resulted in a safety score of 64/100, indicating a higher risk environment compared to the surrounding rural areas of Gwynedd. The recent crime trend in Caernarfon is classified as stable, with a welcome decrease of 3.9% year-over-year. Property crime is a major factor, with a rate of 50.0 per 1,000 people—well above the UK average of 32.9. As a town that attracts significant tourism and serves as a regional centre, its crime statistics are influenced by both its permanent population and high transient visitor numbers.

Crime Breakdown in Caernarfon

Caernarfon's crime profile is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 34.9% of all reported incidents (572 crimes). Anti-social behaviour is also significant, representing 21.3% of the total, followed by shoplifting at 12.4%. These top three categories highlight the challenges faced by a busy historic town with a high volume of visitors and a central commercial district.

Property crime in Caernarfon is a major concern, with a rate of 50.0 per 1,000 people, which is substantially higher than the UK average of 32.9. This total includes shoplifting, criminal damage and arson (9.7%), and other theft (4.7%). Burglary accounts for 1.8% of all reports, while vehicle crime is relatively low at 0.9%. The high property crime rate, particularly in the form of theft and damage, suggests that opportunistic crime is prevalent. For local residents and business owners, this means that protecting physical assets and maintaining a visible security presence are essential for safety.

Crime Trends in Caernarfon

The crime trend in Caernarfon is currently stable, with a year-over-year decrease of 3.9%. Monthly data shows that crime rates were highest in December 2024 (16.4 per 1,000 people) and March 2025 (15.4), which may be linked to the festive season and the start of the spring visitor season.

The lowest crime rate was recorded in October 2025 (9.3), showing a significant drop towards the end of the year. Throughout the summer months, the rate remained relatively consistent, averaging around 13.5 per 1,000. This pattern suggests that while Caernarfon maintains a higher baseline of crime than its neighbours, the overall trend is one of gradual improvement. For residents, this stability is a positive sign that local policing and community safety initiatives are having a consistent impact.

How To Keep Safe in Caernarfon

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crimes in Caernarfon. Staying safe in this busy town requires awareness and simple, practical steps.

1. Stick to Well-Lit Areas: When walking home at night, especially from the town centre, stay on main roads and avoid unlit alleys or shortcuts.
2. Be Aware of Your Surroundings: In busy tourist areas or during social hours, keep your personal belongings secure and stay alert to the people around you.
3. Secure Your Property: With criminal damage and shoplifting being significant issues, ensure your home and business have visible security measures, such as motion-activated lighting and clear signage.
4. Report Anti-Social Behaviour: If you witness ASB, report it to the local police. Consistent reporting helps authorities identify hotspots and deploy resources more effectively.
5. Use Licensed Transport: If you have been out for the evening, always use a licensed taxi or arrange a lift with someone you trust to ensure you get home safely.

Crime Timing in Caernarfon

Crime in Caernarfon follows a distinct pattern throughout the day. The morning hours (6am-12pm) see a high proportion of theft (42%), often related to the opening of the town's retail and commercial outlets. This trend continues into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), where theft accounts for 44% of reported incidents.

As the day transitions into evening (6pm-12am), there is a significant shift. "Other" crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, rise to 71% of all reports, reflecting the peak social and nightlife hours in the town centre. The night-time period (12am-6am) is particularly important for property security. While the overall volume of crime may be lower, burglary reaches its highest percentage at 15%, and vehicle crime also sees an increase to 7%. This suggests that the hours of darkness are when homes and businesses are most vulnerable to targeted criminal activity.

Nearby Areas Comparison

Compared to its immediate neighbours, Caernarfon has a much more active crime profile. While Caernarfon reports 161.8 crimes per 1,000 people, the nearby villages of Bethel (25.4) and Bontnewydd (19.7) are significantly safer. Areas like Caeathro and Brynsiencyn show no reported crime data for this period. This disparity is typical for a central hub like Caernarfon, which concentrates the region's retail, social, and transport activities. Residents of Caernarfon experience an urban safety environment that is distinct from the very low-crime residential settlements just a few miles away.

Home Security and scOS in Caernarfon

With a property crime rate of 50.0 per 1,000 people, Caernarfon residents and business owners face a real challenge in protecting their assets. In such an environment, traditional reactive security like standard CCTV or video doorbells is often insufficient. These systems are designed to record a crime as it happens, but they do little to prevent an intruder from attempting a break-in or committing acts of criminal damage.

scOS offers a proactive solution by using AI-powered intelligence to identify and deter threats at the property boundary. Instead of just providing footage of a burglary, scOS detects unauthorised presence in real-time and can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting and audio warnings. This destroys the element of surprise that criminals rely on. For Caernarfon homeowners, scOS's ability to learn daily routines and verify vehicles means fewer false alarms and more effective protection. In a town with higher-than-average property crime, moving from reactive recording to proactive prevention is the most effective way to secure your home.