Neath Port Talbot Crime Rate

The Neath Port Talbot Local Authority District (LAD) recorded an overall crime rate of 83.7 per 1,000 people between December 2024 and November 2025. This rate is lower than the UK national average of 91.7, contributing to a high safety score of 80/100 (UK average is 79/100). The crime trend in Neath Port Talbot is currently stable, having seen a minor increase of 1.5% over the past year. This indicates that while there has been a slight upward movement, the overall safety environment remains consistent and relatively secure compared to many other parts of the UK. The data provided below offers a comprehensive breakdown of crime types and monthly trends to help residents understand their local safety context.

Neath Port Talbot is a diverse local authority area in South Wales, stretching from the coastal industrial hub of Port Talbot to the rural valleys and the market town of Neath. The area's character is heavily influenced by its industrial heritage, particularly the steelworks in Port Talbot, which remains a major employer and a focal point for the local economy. The geography of the region, featuring steep valleys and dense urban settlements alongside the M4 motorway, creates a varied social and economic landscape.

Crime statistics in the area are shaped by several factors, including the concentration of retail and service industries in the main town centres, which can attract opportunistic theft and anti-social behaviour. The area's transport links facilitate significant daily movement of people for work and leisure, contributing to the transient population. Socio-economic factors, including pockets of deprivation in former industrial communities, also play a role in the local crime profile. Conversely, the more rural parts of the county borough tend to experience lower crime rates, balancing the overall statistics for the local authority. These diverse elements combine to create the unique safety profile of Neath Port Talbot.

In Neath Port Talbot, the most significant crime types are violence and sexual offences, which make up 43.8% of all recorded incidents, with 5,245 crimes reported annually. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 15.1% and public order offences at 11.3%. These three categories account for over 70% of all crime in the area, a distribution that highlights the prevalence of social and interpersonal offences over property-related crimes.

Property crime in Neath Port Talbot has a combined rate of 19.3 per 1,000 people, which is notably lower than the UK average. This category is led by criminal damage and arson (7.6%), other theft (4.8%), and shoplifting (4.8%). Vehicle crime and burglary are relatively infrequent, representing 2.9% and 2.1% of the total crime respectively. For residents, this suggests that while property crime is not the primary concern, criminal damage remains a persistent issue. Homeowners and business owners should take standard precautions, as the low rate of burglary (1.7 per 1,000) does not eliminate the risk entirely. The relatively high percentage of criminal damage suggests that properties may be vulnerable to vandalism or opportunistic damage, making visible deterrents and robust boundary security a sensible investment for local residents.

The monthly crime trend in Neath Port Talbot shows a relatively consistent pattern throughout the year with minor fluctuations. The year began with a rate of 6.0 crimes per 1,000 in December 2024, rising slightly to peak at 8.0 in June 2025. The latter half of the year saw a gradual decline, returning to 6.2 by November 2025. This suggests a slight seasonal uptick during the late spring and early summer months, which is common in many areas as outdoor activity increases.

With a year-over-year change of 1.5%, the crime rate in Neath Port Talbot is remarkably stable. This minimal increase indicates that the local environment is not undergoing any significant shift in safety or criminal activity. For residents, this stability is reassuring, suggesting that current community safety measures are effectively managing crime levels. However, the slight rise in the summer months highlights a period where residents might want to be more vigilant, particularly regarding anti-social behaviour and public order offences.

When compared to its immediate neighbours, Neath Port Talbot has a higher reported crime rate at 83.7 per 1,000 people. Surrounding areas such as Bridgend, Swansea, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and the Vale of Glamorgan all report significantly lower crime rates in this data set. Other nearby areas like Merthyr Tydfil and Caerphilly also maintain a lower crime profile. This suggests that Neath Port Talbot, with its major industrial sites and transport corridors, may experience a higher concentration of reported incidents than more suburban or residential neighbouring districts. However, the area's rate still remains below the national UK average, providing important context for those evaluating regional safety.

With a property crime rate of 19.3 per 1,000 people, Neath Port Talbot is statistically safer for homeowners than many urban areas. However, property offences such as criminal damage and theft are still a reality. Traditional security systems, like standard CCTV cameras, are essentially reactive; they provide you with a recording of an event after it has already occurred. In many cases, this footage is only useful for insurance claims or police evidence, rather than preventing the crime itself.

The scOS AI-powered home security operating system offers a proactive alternative designed to stop crime before it happens. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property's entire boundary, scOS can detect potential threats in real-time. It learns to distinguish between your family, delivery drivers, and suspicious activity, ensuring that you only receive alerts for genuine threats. If an intruder is detected, the system can autonomously respond by activating lights or audio deterrents, destroying the element of surprise. This proactive approach is particularly effective against opportunistic crimes like criminal damage or theft, making your home a significantly harder target and providing genuine peace of mind.

How To Keep Safe in Neath Port Talbot

The most prevalent crime in Neath Port Talbot is violence and sexual offences, making up nearly 44% of reported incidents. To enhance your personal safety, it is recommended to stay in well-lit areas when walking at night and to be mindful of your surroundings in busy town centres like Neath or Port Talbot. When socialising, plan your journey home in advance and try to travel with friends or use licensed transport services.

Property crime, while lower than the national average, is led by criminal damage and theft. To protect your home, ensure that your property boundary is well-defined and that any exterior lighting is in good working order. Don't leave valuable items like bicycles or garden equipment unsecured in plain sight. For vehicle owners, always ensure windows are closed and doors are locked, even for short periods. Joining a local Neighbourhood Watch or community safety group can also be a great way to stay informed about any specific crime trends in your area, allowing you to take collective action with your neighbours to improve local security.