Baglan Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominate Baglan's crime profile in December 2023, accounting for 47.1% of all reported crimes. This category alone contributes 33 incidents, significantly below the UK average for the same type (2.6 per 1,000 vs 2.6 per 1,000). The area's overall crime rate of 5.6 per 1,000 residents places it 22.2% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000, a consistent trend reflecting the built-up area's lower exposure to certain crime types. While violence remains the primary concern, the breakdown reveals a complex mix of property and public order issues. Other theft (14.3% of total crimes) and criminal damage (11.4%) highlight vulnerabilities in community assets, though both categories remain below the UK average for their respective types. The seasonal context of December—dark evenings, Christmas shopping activity, and potential empty homes during the holiday period—likely contributes to the persistence of violent crime, which often spikes during periods of increased social interaction and reduced visibility. Anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 7.1% of crimes, has dropped by 57% compared to the UK average, suggesting stronger community cohesion or effective local interventions. The low rates of vehicle crime (56% below UK average) and burglary (43% below) may reflect the area's compact nature, where informal surveillance is more prevalent. These patterns illustrate how Baglan's character as a built-up area within Neath Port Talbot shapes its crime dynamics, with a focus on interpersonal crime rather than property-focused theft.

December 2023 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories. Burglary surged by 200% (from 1 to 3 incidents), a stark contrast to the previous month's stability. Other theft also rose sharply by 150% (from 4 to 10), potentially linked to increased retail activity during the Christmas period. Bicycle theft, which had not occurred in the previous month, rose by 100% to 1 incident, possibly tied to seasonal travel patterns or temporary lapses in security. Conversely, anti-social behaviour fell by 54.5% (from 11 to 5), marking a notable reduction in community disruptions. Violence and sexual offences, though still the dominant category, decreased by 13.2% (from 38 to 33), suggesting possible seasonal moderation in interpersonal conflicts. The data reveals a mixed picture for UK comparisons: other theft (36% above UK average) and bicycle theft (67% above) stand out as areas of concern, while anti-social behaviour (57% below UK average) and burglary (43% below) demonstrate relative strengths. These variations highlight the need for targeted strategies to address specific vulnerabilities without overcorrecting for categories already performing well. For residents, the sharp increase in other theft—now 14.3% of total crimes—may warrant heightened vigilance in retail and commercial areas during the holiday season.

The crime rate in Baglan remained stable at 5.6 per 1,000 residents in December 2023, matching the previous month's figure exactly. This consistency contrasts with broader UK trends, where the national average stands at 7.2 per 1,000. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 2 crimes per day, a rate that, while modest, reflects the built-up nature of the community. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 179 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than many urban centres but comparable to other commuter or semi-rural areas. When scaled to Baglan's population of 12,497, this means approximately 70 residents were directly involved in or affected by crime during December. The stability in the overall rate suggests no significant shifts in policing strategies or community dynamics, though the specific increases in other theft and burglary indicate localized pressures. These figures, when contextualized against the UK average, underscore Baglan's relative safety profile: while it faces challenges in certain categories, its overall performance aligns with the safer end of the national spectrum. For local residents, the 1-in-179 monthly exposure rate provides a tangible sense of the crime's reach, emphasizing that while incidents do occur, they remain infrequent enough to not dominate daily life in the area.