Caernarfon Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Caernarfon's crime profile in April 2023, contributing 42.7% of all reported incidents and reaching a rate of 6.3 per 1,000 residents—142% above the UK average. This stark outlier underscores a significant divergence from national trends, with violent crime far exceeding typical patterns observed in similar-sized communities. The overall crime rate of 14.8 per 1,000 residents placed the area 97.3% above the UK average of 7.5, reflecting a combination of local factors. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage followed closely, each at 15.3% of total crimes and 277% and 142% above UK averages respectively. These figures suggest a concentration of incidents in public spaces, possibly linked to the town's historical centre and seasonal foot traffic during the Easter period. The breakdown reveals a marked imbalance in crime distribution, with property crimes accounting for only 34% of total reports—significantly lower than the UK average mix of property and violent crime. This contrasts with national patterns where property crime typically constitutes around 40-50% of all reported incidents. The spring weather, which saw increased outdoor activity, may have contributed to higher visibility of anti-social behaviour and public disorder. The town's compact built-up area, combined with its status as a tourist destination during Easter, likely amplifies interactions in public spaces, increasing opportunities for certain types of crime. However, the absence of data on specific locations or demographics means these conclusions remain provisional, grounded in the available statistics rather than definitive causal analysis.

April 2023 saw a 283.3% surge in criminal damage and arson, rising from 6 to 23 incidents—a stark anomaly compared to the UK average of 0.6 per 1,000. This spike, coupled with a 100% increase in burglary cases, suggests shifting patterns in property-related crime. Meanwhile, shoplifting rose by 57.1%, from 7 to 11 incidents, indicating potential vulnerabilities in retail security during the Easter shopping period. Public order offences, however, fell by 61.5% to 5 incidents, a marked contrast to the previous month's 13. This decline may reflect the Easter holiday's impact on usual nightlife patterns, though seasonal factors remain a likely contributor. Anti-social behaviour also decreased by 32.4%, from 34 to 23 cases, potentially linked to reduced alcohol-related incidents during the holiday. The violent crime rate of 6.3 per 1,000 residents—142% above the UK average—remains the most striking figure. This is particularly notable given that violent crime typically constitutes around 25-30% of all UK crimes, whereas in Caernarfon it accounted for nearly half of all reported incidents. Residents may find the daily crime count of 5 incidents particularly relevant, as this translates to roughly one crime for every 67 residents over the course of the month. Such figures, while not directly comparable to national statistics, provide a concrete reference point for local awareness.

The crime rate in Caernarfon rose by 17.2% from 12.7 per 1,000 in March to 14.8 per 1,000 in April, reflecting a clear upward trend. This increase, though modest in absolute terms, places the area's monthly exposure at a rate where one crime occurred for every 67 residents—a figure that, while not directly comparable to UK-wide statistics, highlights the local context. Daily crime counts averaged 5 incidents per day, a figure that may seem high to some residents but must be considered alongside the area's compact built-up nature and historical significance as a tourist destination. The population-scaled perspective reveals that 10,116 residents in Caernarfon experienced 150 crimes over 30 days, translating to a frequency that is higher than the UK average when viewed through the lens of per capita rates. This contrast becomes more pronounced when considering that the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000 includes a broader mix of urban and rural areas. In Caernarfon, the concentration of incidents in specific categories—particularly violent crime—suggests a different crime profile than the national average, which tends to show more balanced distributions across property and violent crime. The 97.3% gap between Caernarfon's rate and the UK average is significant enough to warrant attention from local authorities, though the exact drivers of this disparity remain to be fully understood. The monthly exposure figure, while a static number, offers a tangible way for residents to contextualise the scale of crime relative to their community size.