Holyhead Crime Rate March 2024 | Monthly Statistics

March 2024 marked a significant upward trend in Holyhead's crime profile, with an overall rate of 11.1 crimes per 1,000 residents — 44.2% above the UK average of 7.7. The area's crime picture was dominated by violent offences, which accounted for 43% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (25.9%) and shoplifting (9.6%). This starkly contrasts with the UK average for violent crimes, which stood at 2.7 per 1,000, with Holyhead’s rate 80% higher. The shift in seasonal context — as the area transitioned to spring and evenings lengthened — may have contributed to increased outdoor activity and associated risks. Retail hubs in Holyhead, a coastal town with a mix of tourist infrastructure and local services, likely exacerbate shoplifting trends during peak visitor seasons. Anti-social behaviour, meanwhile, may reflect the dynamics of a small built-up area where community interactions are frequent and public spaces are densely used. The data suggests a combination of local demographics, tourism patterns, and the area's geographic position on the Isle of Anglesey, which could influence crime visibility and reporting rates.

March 2024 saw sharp month-on-month increases in shoplifting (+225%), public order offences (+100%), and burglary (+100%), highlighting sudden shifts in criminal activity. Shoplifting’s surge from four to 13 incidents is particularly striking, possibly linked to the Easter holiday period and increased foot traffic in retail areas. Public order offences doubled, which may reflect the impact of extended evenings and heightened social activity as the weather improved. Conversely, drug-related crimes fell by 80% (from five to one), and other thefts decreased by 40%, suggesting temporary reductions in certain illicit activities. Violent crimes remained high, with Holyhead’s rate of 4.8 per 1,000 (80% above the UK average) underscoring persistent challenges in managing public safety. These figures contrast with burglary and other theft categories, which showed reductions relative to the UK average, indicating some areas of relative stability. Residents may find the 1-in-90 resident monthly exposure rate — the equivalent of one crime per 90 people — a concrete measure of local risk, though this remains significantly higher than national benchmarks.

Holyhead’s crime rate in March 2024 rose by 40.6% compared to the previous month’s rate of 7.9 per 1,000, reflecting a marked acceleration in criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly four crimes per day — a figure that, while localised, provides a tangible sense of the pace of incidents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 90 residents, a monthly exposure rate that highlights the density of incidents in a relatively small population of 12,151. This statistic, while not directly comparable to UK-wide figures, illustrates the disproportionate impact of crime on Holyhead’s community. When viewed through the lens of population scale, the 11.1 per 1,000 rate means that nearly 12% of the area’s residents were directly affected by crime in March. This is higher than the UK average, where the equivalent figure would translate to roughly 9% of the population. The contrast between Holyhead’s violent crime rate and the UK average — 4.8 per 1,000 versus 2.7 per 1,000 — underscores the area’s unique challenges, which may be influenced by its coastal location, transient populations, and the pressures of seasonal tourism.