Monmouth Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Monmouth's crime profile in May 2024 illustrates a combination of local trends and national benchmarks. The area's overall crime rate of 6.7 per 1,000, 20.2% below the UK average, reflects a combination of effective policing and community initiatives. Violence and sexual offences dominated, accounting for 40.5% of all incidents, yet this rate (2.7 per 1,000) remains 5% below the UK average, suggesting targeted efforts in reducing violent crime. The second most common category, criminal damage and arson (1.2 per 1,000), starkly contrasts with the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), indicating a localised challenge that may be influenced by factors such as property density or seasonal activities. The presence of anti-social behaviour (0.7 per 1,000) at 52% below the UK average highlights a successful reduction in disruptive incidents, potentially linked to community engagement strategies. Seasonal context in May—characterised by longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising—may have contributed to the 400% rise in criminal damage and arson, though this remains an anomaly in an otherwise stable trend. The data also shows shoplifting (0.6 per 1,000) and other theft (0.5 per 1,000) both below UK averages, indicating that retail and personal security measures are functioning effectively. These patterns align with Monmouth's character as a historic market town with a mix of residential and commercial areas, where community cohesion and targeted interventions have likely played a role in maintaining lower crime rates despite seasonal fluctuations.

May 2024 saw a 55% drop in anti-social behaviour, the most significant month-on-month decrease, likely influenced by reduced public gatherings during school holidays. This contrasts with a 400% surge in criminal damage and arson, a category where Monmouth's rate was 94% above the UK average, highlighting a localised challenge. Other theft rose 500% from a single incident in April to six in May, suggesting potential vulnerabilities in personal property security. Meanwhile, violent crimes remained the dominant category, contributing 40.5% of all incidents, yet still 5% below the UK average. The 9.8% decline in overall crime compared to April indicates progress in maintaining safety, though the sharp increase in criminal damage and arson warrants attention. For residents, the 3 crimes per day average offers a clear benchmark for understanding local crime patterns, with the most notable reduction in anti-social behaviour providing a positive indicator of community resilience.

Monmouth's crime rate in May 2024 (6.7 per 1,000) marked a 9.8% decrease from April's 7.5 per 1,000, reflecting a continued downward trend. This reduction positions the area as one of the safer built-up areas in the UK, with a rate 20.2% below the national average. Locally, 84 crimes were recorded over 31 days, averaging 3 crimes per day. For residents, this translates to a monthly exposure of one reported crime for every 148 people, a figure that contextualises safety within the community. The shift from April also highlights a notable decline in anti-social behaviour (down 55%), which may align with seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity during school holidays. However, the sharp rise in criminal damage and arson (up 400%) contrasts with this trend, suggesting sporadic incidents that may not be directly linked to broader patterns. When compared to the UK, Monmouth's performance in violent crime (2.7 per 1,000, 5% below the UK average) underscores a focus on community-driven policing strategies that have likely contributed to this lower rate. The daily crime context, while modest, provides a tangible measure for residents to assess their personal risk, reinforcing the value of local data in understanding safety dynamics.