Merthyr Tydfil Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Merthyr Tydfil’s crime rate in January 2026 stood at 9.2 per 1,000 residents, marking a 35.3% increase over the UK average of 6.8. This figure underscores a persistent challenge for the area, particularly in violent crime and anti-social behaviour, which dominate the local crime profile. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 39.5% of all reported incidents, while anti-social behaviour made up 14.9%, both significantly exceeding national averages. The seasonal context of January—a post-holiday period with shorter days and reduced retail footfall—may have contributed to the higher rates of anti-social behaviour and property crimes. The area’s violent crime rate (3.7 per 1,000) is 48% above the UK average, suggesting that factors such as socioeconomic pressures or local community dynamics may play a role. Meanwhile, the lower-than-average rates for drug-related offences (2.2% of total crimes) and burglary (1.7%) indicate areas where local efforts have had some impact. However, the overall increase in crime highlights the need for sustained attention to address the underlying causes of violence and disorder.

January 2026 saw sharp increases in vehicle crime, which rose by 141.7% (from 12 to 29 incidents), and possession of weapons, which jumped by 133.3% (from 3 to 7). These spikes may reflect seasonal factors, such as the post-holiday period or increased vehicle movement during colder weather. Conversely, robbery rates dropped by 40% (from 5 to 3), and burglary fell by 35.7% (from 14 to 9), indicating some success in addressing targeted crimes. The breakdown of crime types reveals stark contrasts: violence and sexual offences (39.5% of total) and anti-social behaviour (14.9%) are significantly above UK averages, while drugs (2.2%) and burglary (1.7%) are below. These disparities highlight areas where local initiatives may need to focus, such as reducing violent crime and anti-social behaviour, which are 48% and 51% above national rates respectively.

Merthyr Tydfil’s crime rate in January 2026 rose to 9.2 per 1,000 residents, a 16.7% increase from the previous month’s 7.9 per 1,000. This places the area 35.3% above the UK average, a gap that has widened over recent months. Daily crime activity averaged 18 incidents per day, reflecting a persistent presence of criminal activity in the local community. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 108 residents, underscoring the frequency of incidents relative to the population. While the rate of increase is notable, the local context—characterised by a mix of urban and industrial areas—suggests that targeted interventions may be required to address specific hotspots. The population-scaled perspective highlights that, despite the rise, the area’s crime burden remains concentrated in certain categories, such as violence and anti-social behaviour, which are high compared to the UK average.