Monmouthshire Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Violent crimes accounted for 38% of all reported incidents in Monmouthshire during May 2025, a proportion significantly higher than the UK average where violent crimes constitute approximately 34.5% of total crimes. This concentration of violent offences, despite the overall crime rate being 23.5% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000 residents, reflects a distinct regional pattern influenced by the area's mix of historic towns and rural communities. The 6.2 crimes per 1,000 residents in Monmouthshire, the lowest in the UK for this period, were driven by a combination of factors including a strong local policing presence and the area's character as a largely rural district with limited urban density. Violence and sexual offences, at 2.4 per 1,000 residents, were 15% below the UK average for this category, suggesting targeted interventions may be contributing to this reduction. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 1.2 per 1,000 residents, also 15% below the UK average, indicating a broader trend of lower levels of disruptive incidents. The seasonal context of May, with its extended evenings and increased outdoor socialising, likely contributes to the elevated proportion of violent crimes compared to other months, as the area's historic town centres see heightened foot traffic during this period. This pattern is consistent with other rural areas where community policing and local initiatives play a significant role in crime prevention. The relatively low rates of property crimes—only 162 incidents compared to 223 violent crimes—highlight the unique balance of crime types in Monmouthshire, with violent offences represented compared to the UK average.

May 2025 saw a 53.3% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 15 to 23 incidents, a shift that may be linked to the area's rural roads and increased travel during the spring season. Bicycle theft, though relatively low at 2 incidents, doubled from 1 to 2, marking a 100% increase—a stark contrast to the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000 residents where bicycle theft is 100% below Monmouthshire's rate. Meanwhile, shoplifting incidents fell by 44.7% to 21, down from 38 in April, suggesting successful local measures such as increased retail security or targeted enforcement in town centres. The category of 'other crime' was the only one in May 2025 that exceeded the UK average, with a 25% higher rate than the national benchmark. This anomaly may reflect underreporting of minor incidents or variations in how local authorities categorise certain offences. The significant 100% decline in possession of weapons, from 9 to 3 incidents, indicates a marked reduction in this category, linked to seasonal factors or ongoing community engagement efforts. These shifts in crime patterns highlight the dynamic nature of local crime trends and the importance of context-specific analysis in understanding regional variations.

Monmouthshire's crime rate of 6.2 per 1,000 residents in May 2025 represents a 3.1% decrease from the previous month's rate of 6.4, demonstrating a continued downward trend. Over the course of the month, 19 crimes were reported per day on average, a figure that, while local to Monmouthshire, provides a tangible measure of daily crime exposure for residents. This equates to roughly 1 reported crime for every 162 residents over the month, a statistic that contextualises the impact of crime on the local population. With a population of 94,930, the relatively low crime rate is particularly notable when compared to the UK average, where the equivalent monthly exposure would be higher. The area's rural character and lower population density likely contribute to these figures, as rural areas typically experience lower crime rates due to factors such as greater community cohesion and less concentrated social activity. However, the higher proportion of violent crimes compared to the UK average suggests that Monmouthshire's unique demographic and geographic features—such as its historic town centres and dispersed rural communities—create conditions where violent incidents are more likely to occur relative to other crime types. This comparative analysis underscores the importance of tailoring crime prevention strategies to the specific characteristics of Monmouthshire, balancing the benefits of its low overall crime rate with targeted measures to address the elevated share of violent offences.