Gwynedd Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The crime mix in Gwynedd during January 2024 reveals a distinct profile shaped by local dynamics. Violence and sexual offences accounted for nearly 40% of all crimes, a figure significantly higher than the UK average for this category (2.6 per 1,000). This dominance of violent crime contrasts with lower rates of property-related offences, such as shoplifting (30% below the UK average) and burglary (17% below the UK average). Anti-social behaviour also emerged as a major concern, with rates 41% above the national average. These patterns align with Gwynedd’s character as a rural area with limited urban density, where interpersonal conflicts and community tensions may contribute to higher violent crime rates. Seasonal factors also played a role: January’s post-holiday period and shorter daylight hours likely reduced opportunities for retail crime, consistent with the 30% drop in shoplifting compared to the UK average. However, the higher prevalence of anti-social behaviour suggests ongoing challenges in managing public order, potentially linked to isolated communities or limited social services. The balance of crime types highlights a need for targeted interventions addressing both violent crime and community cohesion, while the relatively low property crime rates indicate a safer environment for residents in this part of Wales.

January 2024 saw notable shifts in crime trends for Gwynedd. Burglary rates surged by 166.7%, rising from 12 to 32 incidents, a stark increase that may reflect seasonal vulnerabilities such as homes being unoccupied during holidays or reduced police patrols. Bicycle theft also jumped 150%, with five reported incidents, potentially linked to colder weather driving cyclists to store bikes indoors, increasing their visibility to thieves. Conversely, drug-related crime fell by 16.7%, from 18 to 15 incidents, though this remains well below the UK average. The crime mix shifted further towards violent offences, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 39.4% of all crimes, compared to 21.1% for anti-social behaviour. This violent dominance is 4% above the UK average for the category, suggesting a unique local challenge. Meanwhile, property crimes like vehicle crime (60% below UK average) and other theft (12% below UK average) remained subdued, likely due to lower population density and fewer commercial hubs. For residents, the surge in burglary underscores the importance of home security measures during the winter months.

Comparing January 2024 to December 2023, Gwynedd’s crime rate rose by 20.7%, from 5.6 to 6.8 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, reflects a broader trend as the area moves into a post-holiday period with fewer tourists and reduced retail activity, which may have inadvertently left some communities more vulnerable to targeted crimes like burglary. On a daily basis, Gwynedd recorded approximately 26 crimes per day in January, a figure that contextualises the monthly total of 817 incidents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 148 residents, a rate that is lower than the UK average when scaled to population size. However, this aggregate statistic masks variations in specific crime types, such as the sharp rise in burglary. The population-scaled perspective also highlights that Gwynedd’s lower overall crime rate—8.1% below the UK average—may be influenced by its rural character, where fewer opportunities for certain crimes (like vehicle theft or shoplifting) exist compared to densely populated urban areas. These comparisons underscore the need for tailored approaches to crime prevention that account for both local demographics and seasonal fluctuations.