Rural Merthyr Tydfil Crime Rate

Rural Merthyr Tydfil Crime Overview

Rural Merthyr Tydfil has an overall crime rate of 138.7 per 1,000 residents, which is significantly higher than the UK national average of 93.1. This is reflected in a safety score of 69/100, indicating a more active safety environment than many other rural or urban areas. The recent crime trend is stable, with a marginal 0.2% increase year-over-year. For its population of approximately 7,700, Rural Merthyr Tydfil presents a complex safety landscape where interpersonal offences and shoplifting are the primary drivers of statistics. This analysis provides a detailed breakdown of the crime types affecting the area and offers practical guidance for residents to enhance their security.

Crime Breakdown in Rural Merthyr Tydfil

The crime profile in Rural Merthyr Tydfil is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 34.5% of all recorded incidents (47.8 per 1,000 residents). Anti-social behaviour is the second most common at 18.0%, followed by public order offences at 10.6%. These figures suggest that interpersonal issues and social nuisances are the primary challenges for this area.

Property-related crime—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—occurs at a rate of 39.0 per 1,000 people. This is above the UK average of 32.9. Within this category, shoplifting (10.5%) and criminal damage (7.6%) are the most prominent, while more invasive crimes like burglary (1.6%) and vehicle crime (3.1%) represent smaller portions of the total. For residents, this data indicates that while the overall crime rate is high, the risk of home burglary is low. However, the prevalence of theft and criminal damage suggests that securing property perimeters and maintaining vigilance in commercial zones are essential for local safety.

Rural Merthyr Tydfil Crime Trends

The crime trend in Rural Merthyr Tydfil is stable, with a marginal 0.2% increase in total offences compared to the previous year. Monthly data shows that the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuated significantly, ranging from a low of 7.8 to a high of 13.7.

A significant peak was observed in May 2025, reaching a rate of 13.7 per 1,000, followed by March (13.4) and August (13.4). Conversely, the lowest rates were recorded in December 2024 at 7.8 and November 2024 at 8.7. Other lower periods occurred in June (10.6) and September (10.8). The overall trend indicates that the area maintains a consistently high but stable volume of recorded criminal activity throughout the 12-month period.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Merthyr Tydfil

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types in Rural Merthyr Tydfil. While many of these incidents involve known individuals, general personal safety remains a priority for the community.

• Commercial Awareness: Shoplifting is a top 3 crime type locally. Business owners should ensure high-quality security systems are in place and participate in local crime reduction schemes.
• Night-time Vehicle Security: Vehicle crime is a notable factor, peaking at night (38% of period crimes). Always park in well-lit areas, ensure all windows are fully closed, and never leave valuables visible inside the car.
• Secure Your Perimeter: Criminal damage and anti-social behaviour are significant factors. Ensuring your property has clear boundaries, robust fencing, and good external lighting can deter opportunistic vandalism.
• Afternoon Home Security: Theft and burglary see a rise during the afternoon hours. If you are away from home during the day, use light timers or smart home devices to create the appearance of occupancy.

Rural Merthyr Tydfil Crime Time Patterns

Crime in Rural Merthyr Tydfil follows distinct patterns throughout the day. The morning hours (6am-12pm) are dominated by theft-related offences (41%) as retail and commercial areas open. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees this trend continue, with theft rising to 47% of crimes in this period, alongside a 12% burglary rate.

As evening approaches (6pm-12am), 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, become the dominant factor, making up 58% of reports. The night-time period (12am-6am) presents a specific risk for vehicle owners; vehicle crime accounts for a significant 38% of all incidents during these early hours, while burglary also remains high at 12%. This suggests that while Rural Merthyr Tydfil is an active commercial area, property and vehicle owners should be particularly vigilant during the late afternoon and overnight periods.

Regional Comparison

Within the Merthyr Tydfil local authority, the area classified as Rural Merthyr Tydfil unexpectedly reports a higher crime rate than the main town of Merthyr Tydfil (113.0) and significantly higher than outlying villages like Aberfan (27.8) and Treharris (57.2). This may be due to the inclusion of major commercial hubs or retail parks within this administrative boundary. While the overall rate of 138.7 per 1,000 is high, the stable trend and relatively low burglary rate suggest that much of this activity is concentrated in specific commercial zones rather than residential neighbourhoods. Understanding this context is key for residents and visitors to the area.

Proactive Protection in Rural Merthyr Tydfil

With a property crime rate of 39.0 per 1,000, Rural Merthyr Tydfil residents face a risk of theft and criminal damage that is above the national average. Traditional security systems, such as basic CCTV or standard alarms, are often reactive—they notify you after a sensor is tripped or provide footage of a crime that has already occurred.

For those seeking to prevent crime entirely, scOS offers a proactive alternative. Using advanced AI, scOS monitors your property boundaries in real-time, identifying potential threats before they reach your home. In an area where shoplifting is a top 3 crime type and vehicle crime peaks at night (38% of night-time incidents), scOS’s ability to detect suspicious loitering and unauthorised movement is invaluable. The system doesn't just record; it intervenes autonomously by activating lights or audio warnings to deter intruders. This proactive approach turns your security from a witness into a guardian, making your home a significantly harder target for burglars and thieves who rely on stealth and speed.