Monmouth Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Monmouth's crime profile in January 2024 reveals a combination of seasonal factors and localized patterns. The area's overall crime rate of 6.3 per 1,000 residents places it 14.9% below the UK average, a consistent position that reflects Monmouth's character as a historic town with a relatively low population density and limited urban sprawl. Violence and sexual offences dominated the monthly tally, accounting for 45.6% of all crimes (36 cases), a proportion that aligns with the town's built-up area dynamics and the presence of public spaces that see regular foot traffic. Public order offences (10 cases) and anti-social behaviour (7 cases) also featured prominently, both significantly above UK averages. These trends are likely influenced by Monmouth's role as a tourist destination and its proximity to major transport routes, which may contribute to transient populations engaging in disorderly conduct. Seasonal factors, such as the post-holiday period and reduced retail activity, appear to have dampened shoplifting and vehicle crime rates, which were 65% and 60% below UK averages respectively. However, the surge in 'other crime' and the rise in anti-social behaviour suggest emerging challenges that warrant closer examination. The data also highlights a shift in the crime mix, with property crimes (15 cases) representing a smaller share of total incidents compared to violent offences, a pattern consistent with Monmouth's historical focus on community policing and its relatively safe environment. This balance between low overall rates and specific category anomalies underscores the need for targeted strategies that address both the unique characteristics of Monmouth and the broader UK crime profile.

The most striking change in January 2024 was the 200% increase in 'other crime' (from 2 to 6 incidents), a category that includes unclassified or hybrid offences. This spike, though small in absolute terms, signals a shift in the crime mix, with non-traditional offences now accounting for 7.6% of total crimes. Concurrently, anti-social behaviour rose 133% (3 to 7), a jump that may reflect seasonal factors such as post-holiday social gatherings in Monmouth's built-up area. Meanwhile, burglary fell 66.7% (from 3 to 1), a decline consistent with January's typically reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours. Violence and sexual offences (36 cases) remained 12% above the UK average, while public order offences (10 cases) were 67% above, both categories likely influenced by Monmouth's town centre dynamics and the presence of transient populations during the post-Christmas period.

Monmouth's crime rate in January 2024 (6.3 per 1,000 residents) marked a 46.1% increase from the previous month's 4.3 per 1,000, reflecting a notable upward trend. This rise, though significant, remains 14.9% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 3 crimes per day, a figure that underscores the pace of incidents but does not capture their distribution across the community. Over the course of January, one reported crime occurred for every 158 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, while low compared to national averages, highlights the concentrated nature of incidents in specific areas. The population context—Monmouth's 12,456 residents—further illustrates how even modest crime numbers can reflect localized patterns, particularly in the town's built-up areas where public order and violence offences dominate. This rate, though lower than the UK average, suggests that targeted interventions in high-impact categories could yield measurable improvements.