Monmouth Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile in Monmouth during December 2024 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, shaped by seasonal and local dynamics. With a crime rate of 6.5 per 1,000 residents — 8.5% below the UK average — the area maintains a relatively low level of criminal activity. The top two crime categories, violence and sexual offences (34.6% of total crimes) and shoplifting (18.5%), reflect a mix of persistent social tensions and retail-related vulnerabilities. Violence and sexual offences, at 2.3 per 1,000 residents, are 10% below the UK average, suggesting effective policing in high-risk areas. However, shoplifting stands out as a significant outlier, with rates 111% above the UK average. This may partly explain the higher share of property crimes, given Monmouth’s historic high street and tourist presence, which likely drives opportunistic theft during the Christmas shopping peak. Anti-social behaviour, at 0.8 per 1,000, is 15% below the UK average, possibly due to the area’s smaller population and community-focused policing. The seasonal context of December — dark evenings, holiday-related absences, and increased retail activity — appears to influence crime patterns, with shoplifting and violence both aligning with known seasonal trends. Vehicle crime and public order offences remain close to UK averages, indicating no stark localised spikes in these categories. The overall balance suggests a town where community cohesion and policing efforts mitigate some risks, but retail spaces and transient populations create targeted vulnerabilities.

December 2024 saw dramatic shifts in specific crime categories, with vehicle crime surging by 400% (from 1 to 5 incidents) and drugs-related offences doubling from 0 to 1. These increases, though small in absolute terms, raise questions about emerging local issues, such as increased vehicle theft during holiday periods or the introduction of new illicit substances. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 56.5% (from 23 to 10), likely reflecting the quieter nature of December evenings and reduced foot traffic in public spaces. Burglary also dropped by 50%, potentially linked to homes being unoccupied over the holidays, though this remains a seasonal anomaly rather than a long-term trend. The crime mix shows a stark contrast between shoplifting (1.2 per 1,000) and the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), indicating Monmouth’s retail sector as a focal point for property crime. Meanwhile, possession of weapons rose 233% above the UK average (0.2 vs 0.1 per 1,000), a figure that, while small in absolute numbers, warrants careful monitoring. For residents, the 33% share of violent crimes (28 incidents) underscores the need for continued focus on community safety initiatives, particularly in areas with higher foot traffic during the festive season.

Monmouth’s crime rate in December 2024 (6.5 per 1,000) marked a 12% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 7.4 per 1,000, reflecting a sustained downward trend. This decline positions the area as one of the safer built-up regions in the UK, with a crime rate that is 8.5% below the national average. On a daily basis, the town experienced roughly 3 crimes per day — a figure that, while not negligible, is consistent with Monmouth’s small population of 12,456. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 154 residents, a monthly exposure rate that suggests most households are unaffected. This context is critical for residents assessing risk: while the overall rate is low, specific categories like shoplifting and weapon possession highlight targeted vulnerabilities. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Monmouth’s crime burden is distributed across a relatively small community, meaning individual risk is low but sector-specific issues (such as retail theft) may require focused attention. The 12% month-on-month drop also aligns with typical December patterns, where holiday-related absences and reduced nightlife activity temporarily lower crime rates. However, the sharp increase in vehicle crime and drugs-related offences suggests that while overall trends are positive, certain emerging issues may need closer scrutiny in the coming months.