Caernarfon Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

September 2024 marked a sharp divergence in Caernarfon’s crime profile, with drug-related offences surging by 200% compared to the previous month. This unexpected spike, coupled with a 133% rise in other theft, underscored a shift in the town’s crime profile that defied seasonal expectations. The overall crime rate of 16.1 per 1,000 residents placed Caernarfon 109.1% above the UK average, a figure that highlights the area’s vulnerability to specific pressures. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 40.5% of all crimes, with a rate 148% above the UK average. This aligns with Caernarfon’s role as a hub for university students and transient populations, where high foot traffic in the town centre may contribute to persistent issues of anti-social behaviour and public disorder. The seasonal context of September—back to school and the start of the academic year—likely exacerbated these trends, as freshers’ week often brings increased social activity and associated risks. Anti-social behaviour, at 3.2 per 1,000, was 174% above the UK average, suggesting a broader pattern of community strain. Meanwhile, shoplifting and public order offences also rose. The contrast with burglary and vehicle crime, which both saw declines, illustrates the uneven nature of local crime dynamics. While the town’s lower rates for property crimes—burglary 35% below the UK average and vehicle crime 56% below—suggest some success in addressing these issues, the starkly higher rates for violent and drug-related crimes indicate a need for targeted interventions. These findings reflect a combination of demographic pressures, local infrastructure, and seasonal factors that shape Caernarfon’s crime picture.

The most striking shift in September was the 200% increase in drug-related crimes, rising from four to 12 incidents—a jump that outpaced all other categories. This surge, though unexplained by available data, aligns with the seasonal influx of university students and the associated pressures of freshers’ week. Concurrently, other theft offences grew by 133%, suggesting heightened opportunities for petty crime in crowded public spaces. The 100% rise in possession of weapons, from zero to two incidents, raises concerns about local tensions or the presence of illicit activity. In contrast, burglary and criminal damage both declined: burglary dropped by 50%, possibly due to improved security measures or seasonal patterns, while criminal damage fell by 41.7%, which may reflect reduced public gatherings as evenings grew darker. Drug offences in Caernarfon are 400% above the UK average, a disparity that highlights the area’s distinct challenges compared to national trends.

Caernarfon's crime rate in September 2024 rose by 3.8% compared to the previous month, climbing to 16.1 per 1,000 residents from 15.5 per 1,000. This increase, though modest, reflects a broader pattern of fluctuation typical of the area’s seasonal rhythms. On a daily basis, the town experienced approximately five reported crimes each day in September, a figure that underscores the persistent presence of crime in local life. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime for every 62 residents over the course of the month—a rate significantly higher than the UK average but reflective of Caernarfon’s unique socio-economic profile. The population context further highlights the challenge: with 10,116 residents, the town’s smaller size means crime incidents are more visible and impactful to the community. This monthly exposure figure, while not directly comparable to national averages, serves as a local benchmark for understanding crime trends in Caernarfon.