Holyhead Crime Rate June 2023 | Monthly Statistics

June 2023 marked a sharp divergence in Holyhead’s crime profile, driven by a dramatic surge in vehicle-related offences. The area’s crime rate of 12.4 per 1,000 residents—45.9% above the UK average—reflects a pronounced imbalance in crime types, with violence and sexual offences accounting for 45% of all reported incidents. This is 92% above the UK average for the category, a stark contrast to the 2.9 per 1,000 rate nationally. Anti-social behaviour (20.5%) and criminal damage (12.6%) further amplify the disparity, both exceeding UK rates by 76% and 150% respectively. Seasonal factors likely play a role, as June signals the start of summer tourism on the Isle of Anglesey. However, the local context suggests deeper patterns: violence and anti-social behaviour may be linked to the town’s proximity to a major ferry port, where transient populations and late-night activity could contribute to higher incidents. Meanwhile, property crimes remain relatively low, with shoplifting and vehicle crime showing contrasting trends. While shoplifting fell by 55.6% compared to May, vehicle crime more than doubled, tied to increased car travel during the summer season. These shifts highlight the combination of local geography, tourism rhythms, and policing priorities in a coastal built-up area.

The most striking month-on-month change in June 2023 was the 100% surge in vehicle crime, bicycle theft, and 'other crime' categories, all of which had zero reported incidents in May. This spike in vehicle-related offences—now at 3 per 1,000 residents—contrasts sharply with a 36% drop in the UK average for the same category. Meanwhile, shoplifting fell by 55.6% (from 9 to 4 incidents), and robbery halved (from 2 to 1). These fluctuations suggest shifting patterns in criminal activity, possibly influenced by the start of the summer season. Violent crimes, which accounted for 45% of all incidents, remain high: 5.6 per 1,000 in Holyhead compared to 2.9 per 1,000 nationally. This 92% gap underscores the area’s unique challenges, with anti-social behaviour and criminal damage both far exceeding UK averages. For residents, the daily crime count of roughly 5 incidents—equivalent to one in every 80 residents over the month—provides a tangible sense of the local crime profile. The absence of significant decreases in violent crime, despite falling shoplifting rates, indicates that targeted interventions may need to focus on addressing the root causes of interpersonal conflict in the area.

Holyhead’s crime rate in June 2023 rose by 10.3% compared to May’s 11.3 per 1,000, marking a sustained upward trend. This increase, coupled with the 45.9% gap above the UK average, places the area in a distinct position relative to national benchmarks. Locally, the daily crime context reveals a rate of approximately 5 incidents per day, a figure that may feel more pronounced in a small built-up area where community networks are tight. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 80 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while not alarmingly high, suggests that crime is a regular part of life in Holyhead. This is particularly notable given the area’s population of 12,151, where even modest increases in violent crime can have outsized impacts on perceived safety. When compared to the UK average of 8.5 per 1,000, Holyhead’s elevated rate of 12.4 per 1,000 highlights the need for tailored strategies that address the specific drivers of crime in a coastal town. The contrast with categories like shoplifting and vehicle crime—where Holyhead’s rates are below the UK average—further complicates the picture, indicating that the area’s challenges are not uniform across crime types.