Harlech Crime Rate

Harlech is a remarkably secure settlement, characterized by a high safety score of 88/100. The area's overall crime rate is 56.5 per 1,000 residents, which sits comfortably below the UK national average of 93.1. While Harlech remains a safe haven, recent data indicates an increasing trend in criminal activity, with a year-over-year rise of 8.5%. This shift suggests that while the volume of crime remains low, residents should stay informed about local patterns. The following analysis provides a detailed breakdown of Harlech's crime statistics, examining specific types of offences and temporal patterns to help residents and visitors understand the local safety landscape.

Crime Breakdown in Harlech

In Harlech, the criminal landscape is primarily defined by three main categories. Anti-social behaviour is the most frequent report, accounting for 36.3% of all incidents, followed closely by violence and sexual offences at 30.4%. Other theft constitutes the third most significant category at 10.8%. Together, these types represent the majority of local police activity.

When examining property-related crime—which includes burglary, theft from the person, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—Harlech maintains a rate of 15.0 per 1,000 residents. This is substantially lower than the UK average of 32.9. Specifically, burglary represents 5.9% of total crime, while criminal damage and arson account for 8.8%. While these figures are relatively low, they remain a concern for homeowners.

For residents, this data suggests a generally safe environment where property crime is less frequent than in many urban centres. However, the prevalence of anti-social behaviour and theft indicates that maintaining visible security and community vigilance is still necessary to protect local assets and maintain the area's high safety standards.

Crime Trends in Harlech

The annual crime trend in Harlech is currently on an upward trajectory, showing an 8.5% increase year-over-year. This indicates a moderate rise in total recorded incidents compared to the previous twelve-month period. Analysis of the monthly trend data reveals a fluctuating pattern throughout the year. The highest intensity of crime occurred in July 2025, with a rate of 11.1 per 1,000 residents, which is more than double the annual monthly average.

Other significant peaks were noted in March (6.7), May (5.5), and August (5.5). Conversely, the safest month was February 2025, which saw the rate drop to just 1.1 per 1,000. The end of the 2025 period shows a stabilizing trend, with October recording a rate of 3.9. For residents, these fluctuations may reflect seasonal visitor patterns or specific local events, but the overall increase suggests that maintaining consistent security awareness is becoming more important.

How To Keep Safe in Harlech

Harlech’s highest crime category is anti-social behaviour, which accounts for over 36% of reported incidents. While the area is generally very safe, addressing these community-level issues is key to maintaining peace of mind.

1. Enhance External Lighting: Ensure that all entry points and dark corners of your property are well-lit with motion-activated security lights. This deters loitering and opportunistic anti-social behaviour.
2. Community Engagement: Join or support local Neighbourhood Watch schemes. High levels of community vigilance are proven to reduce anti-social behaviour and make the area less attractive to offenders.
3. Secure Boundary Perimeters: Maintain fences, gates, and hedges to clearly define your private property. A well-defined boundary discourages trespassing and casual anti-social activity.
4. Report Incidents Promptly: Always report anti-social behaviour to the local police via 101 or their online portal. Consistent reporting helps authorities allocate resources to the areas that need them most.
5. Secure Outbuildings: With 'other theft' being a top crime type, ensure sheds and garages are fitted with robust locks and alarms to protect tools and bicycles.

Crime patterns in Harlech exhibit distinct temporal trends. Morning and afternoon periods are heavily dominated by theft-related offences, which account for 59% and 57% of crimes respectively. This suggests that opportunistic crimes are more frequent during daylight hours when people are active or away from home. As evening approaches, the crime profile shifts significantly; theft drops to 27%, while 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order issues, rise to 47%. The night-time period (12am-6am) sees a critical spike in burglary, which reaches its highest proportional level at 40%. This nighttime vulnerability indicates that while daytime activity leads to more theft, the hours of darkness are when Harlech's properties are most at risk of intrusion. Understanding these shifts allows residents to tailor their security habits, focusing on daytime vigilance for personal belongings and robust nocturnal protection for their homes.

When comparing Harlech to its immediate neighbours, there is a clear spectrum of safety. To the north and south, Llanbedr and Morfa Bychan both report a crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000, representing exceptionally quiet areas. Conversely, Porthmadog serves as a more active hub with a crime rate of 106.0 per 1,000, which is significantly higher than Harlech's 56.5. Dyffryn Ardudwy, located further south, presents a lower rate of 20.0 per 1,000. For those considering the region, Harlech offers a middle ground: it is more active than the smallest rural villages but remains much safer than the larger regional towns.

Protecting property in Harlech requires a shift from reactive to proactive security. With a property crime rate of 15.0 per 1,000, the risk is lower than the national average, but the impact of a break-in remains significant. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or doorbell cameras, often only provide footage of an event after it has occurred. This reactive approach does little to stop a crime in progress.

In contrast, scOS offers a proactive AI-powered operating system designed to prevent crime before it happens. By utilizing multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries in real-time, identifying potential threats before a breach occurs. In a community like Harlech, where 40% of burglaries happen at night, the ability of scOS to activate autonomous responses—such as lighting and audio deterrents—is invaluable. This professional-grade protection signals to opportunists that your home is not a viable target. Choosing proactive AI detection over simple recording means you are investing in prevention, ensuring your home remains secure even as local trends fluctuate.