Merthyr Tydfil Crime Rate

Merthyr Tydfil is a significant urban borough with an overall crime rate of 110.8 per 1,000 people. While this figure is higher than the UK average of 93.1, the area maintains a respectable safety score of 75/100. This suggests that while crime volume is elevated, the types of offences and the local response result in a safety environment that is comparable to many other busy commercial districts. Recent data indicates a stable crime trend, with a 4.2% decrease year-over-year. This downward movement is a positive sign for the borough, showing that safety is being maintained or slightly improved. For residents, the primary focus remains on public order and retail-related offences, with property crime rates sitting just above the national average.

About Merthyr Tydfil

Merthyr Tydfil is a town and county borough in South Wales with a rich industrial history, once serving as the iron capital of the world. Today, it is a significant commercial and administrative hub for the South Wales Valleys. The area's crime statistics are influenced by its role as a regional centre, which attracts high footfall to its retail parks and town centre. This commercial activity is reflected in the high shoplifting rate, which is one of the top five crimes in the borough.

Economic factors play a role in the local crime profile, with higher-than-average population density in the urban core compared to the surrounding rural valleys. The presence of major transport links, including the A470, facilitates a transient population which can impact crime figures. Additionally, the area has a vibrant nightlife and several social hubs, contributing to the rates of anti-social behaviour and public order offences. While the overall crime rate is higher than the UK average, the area maintains a respectable safety score, indicating that many of these incidents are managed effectively and that the risk to the average resident in residential areas is lower than the headline figures might suggest.

Crime in Merthyr Tydfil

The most significant crime type in Merthyr Tydfil is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 36.4% of all reported incidents (2,380 crimes). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 14.1% and public order offences at 10.0%. These three categories represent the majority of police activity and are often concentrated in the borough's busier urban and commercial zones.

Property crime in Merthyr Tydfil—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—occurs at a rate of 35.9 per 1,000 people. This is slightly above the UK average of 32.9. Within this category, shoplifting is a major factor, accounting for 9.7% of all crime, while criminal damage and arson make up 8.9%. Vehicle crime (5.0%) and burglary (2.6%) are less frequent but still present challenges for local residents. With a burglary rate of 2.8 per 1,000 people, the risk to homeowners is moderate. For residents, these statistics highlight the importance of securing vehicles and commercial premises, as opportunistic theft and vandalism are more prevalent than residential break-ins. Comprehensive property protection is recommended to mitigate these risks effectively.

Crime Trends in Merthyr Tydfil

Merthyr Tydfil is currently seeing a stable to slightly improving crime trend, with a 4.2% decrease in total reported incidents over the last twelve months. This suggests that community safety measures are having a positive impact. According to the monthly trendData, crime rates fluctuated throughout the year, starting at 8.8 per 1,000 in November 2024 and peaking at 10.6 in July 2025.

The summer peak in July is a common occurrence in many urban areas, often linked to increased footfall and social activity during the warmer months. Following this peak, the crime rate fell to 8.2 in September before a slight rise to 9.3 in October 2025. Despite these monthly variations, the overall downward trend of 4.2% is an encouraging sign for residents and business owners alike, indicating that the borough is moving in the right direction regarding overall safety.

Within the South Wales Valleys region, Merthyr Tydfil’s crime rate of 110.8 per 1,000 residents is notably high compared to its immediate neighbours. Nearby areas such as Blaenau Gwent, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Bridgend, and Neath Port Talbot are all currently reporting crime rates of 0.0 per 1,000. While these figures suggest that Merthyr Tydfil is a hotspot for activity in the region, it is important to consider its role as a major commercial and transport hub, which naturally attracts more recorded incidents than its less urbanised neighbours. It remains a key regional centre where security awareness is more critical than in the surrounding valley areas.

Protecting Your Property in Merthyr Tydfil

With a property crime rate of 35.9 per 1,000 residents, Merthyr Tydfil sits slightly above the UK average, making home and business security a priority for the local community. Shoplifting, criminal damage, and vehicle crime are the most common property-related offences in the area. Many people rely on standard CCTV or doorbell cameras, but these systems are reactive—they only tell you that a crime has happened after the fact. In a busy urban area like Merthyr Tydfil, proactive protection is essential.

The scOS operating system offers a superior alternative by preventing crime before it occurs. Using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries in real-time, identifying threats the moment they appear. Unlike DIY systems, scOS can autonomously trigger deterrents like lighting and audio warnings to stop an intruder in their tracks. This "first line of defence" approach is particularly effective in deterring opportunistic theft and vandalism. By choosing scOS, you are investing in a professional-grade system that doesn't just record your burglary—it actively prevents it, ensuring your property remains a hard target in a statistically active area.

How To Keep Safe in Merthyr Tydfil

The most prevalent crime in Merthyr Tydfil is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for 36.4% of all reports. Personal safety in public spaces and awareness of your surroundings are key to staying safe in the borough.

To enhance your safety, consider these practical suggestions:

• When walking through the town centre or retail parks, stay in well-lit areas and be mindful of your personal belongings, as shoplifting and other theft are also common.
• If you are out in the evening, try to travel with others and pre-arrange your transport home to avoid waiting in isolated areas.
• With anti-social behaviour accounting for 14.1% of crime, report any recurring issues to the local council or police to help them target their patrols effectively.
• Ensure your vehicle is parked in a secure, well-lit location and that no valuables are left on display, as vehicle crime is a persistent issue at 5.0% of total reports.
• For business owners, implementing clear security protocols and visible deterrents can help mitigate the high rate of shoplifting in the area.