Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen Crime Rate

Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen presents a very positive safety profile, with an overall crime rate of 60.4 per 1,000 people. This figure is substantially lower than the UK average of 91.7, contributing to an impressive safety score of 84/100. The area has seen a significant downward trend in criminal activity, with a 20.0% year-over-year decrease in total offences. These statistics suggest that Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen is a relatively secure environment for its residents, outperforming many national benchmarks. The low property crime rate of 10.3 per 1,000 people further underscores the area's residential appeal. This detailed report explores the specific types of crime prevalent in the settlement and provides insights into local safety patterns.

Crime Breakdown in Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen

Crime in Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen is primarily characterised by violence and sexual offences, which account for 52.6% of all recorded incidents with 40 cases. This is followed by public order offences and anti-social behaviour, which both recorded 11 incidents, each making up 14.5% of the local total. Together, these three categories represent the vast majority of police activity in the area.

Property-related crime, which encompasses burglary, robbery, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage, remains relatively low in this settlement. The property crime rate stands at 10.3 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3. Within this category, criminal damage and arson is the most frequent with 8 incidents, while burglary and vehicle crime are exceptionally rare, with only one burglary recorded during the data period. For residents, this suggests that while personal safety and public conduct are the primary areas of concern for local law enforcement, the risk to physical property and homes is statistically much lower than in many other urban areas across the country.

The crime trend in Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen is currently on a downward trajectory, with a significant 20.0% year-over-year decrease in total offences. This reduction is a strong indicator of improving safety within the community. Monthly data from the Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 period shows that crime rates fluctuated, with the lowest activity recorded in December 2024 (1.6 per 1,000) and February 2025 (2.4 per 1,000).

A peak was observed in July 2025, where the rate rose to 8.7 per 1,000, followed by another notable increase in November 2025 to 7.2. Despite these seasonal spikes, the overall volume remains low. For residents, this trend suggests that while certain months may see increased activity—possibly linked to summer holidays or darker winter evenings—the long-term trend is positive. The consistent year-on-year drop provides reassurance that Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen is becoming an even safer place to live.

How To Keep Safe in Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen

The most prevalent crime type in Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen is violence and sexual offences, which accounts for over half of all recorded incidents. While the overall crime volume is low, personal safety should remain a priority for residents and visitors alike.

To enhance your personal safety, try to stick to well-lit, familiar routes when walking alone, particularly during the evening and night hours. If you are out after dark, informing a friend or family member of your expected arrival time or using a personal safety app can provide an extra layer of security. Always trust your instincts; if a situation or location feels uncomfortable, it is best to leave and head to a busy, well-lit area.

In the event of witnessing anti-social behaviour or public order issues—which are the next most common offences—it is advisable to avoid direct confrontation. Instead, report the incident to the local police via the 101 non-emergency number or 999 in an emergency. Engaging with local community watch groups can also help residents stay informed about any emerging patterns in the neighbourhood.

Analysis of crime timings in Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen reveals distinct patterns throughout the day. The morning and afternoon periods see a higher concentration of theft-related offences, accounting for 39% and 42% of crimes in those periods respectively. This aligns with times when residents are most active and local commercial activity is at its peak. As the day progresses into the evening and night, the nature of crime shifts significantly. Evening (6pm - 12am) and night (12am - 6am) hours are dominated by "Other" crimes, including public order and anti-social behaviour, which make up 78% and 76% of incidents respectively. Burglary also sees its highest relative frequency during the night, accounting for 14% of offences in that window. These patterns suggest that while daytime crime is often opportunistic and property-based, late-night incidents are more frequently related to social conduct and personal safety.

When considering the local region, Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen sits in a cluster of areas with varying safety levels. With a crime rate of 60.4 per 1,000, it is safer than Brynamman (64.9) and significantly more secure than Glanaman (77.4). It also holds a slight safety advantage over Cwmllynfell and Ystradowen, which has a rate of 61.2. The only nearby settlement with a lower recorded crime rate is Garnant, which reported 0.0 crimes per 1,000 people. This context highlights Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen as a secure choice for residents within the Neath Port Talbot local authority, maintaining a crime rate well below the regional and national averages.

While Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen enjoys a property crime rate of just 10.3 per 1,000—well below the national average—maintaining this security requires a proactive approach. Traditional security measures often rely on reactive recording; a standard CCTV camera might capture footage of a burglary, but it rarely stops it from happening. In an area where crime is low, the element of surprise is a powerful deterrent.

To truly protect your home, you should consider autonomous security that intervenes before a break-in occurs. Systems like scOS use AI to monitor property boundaries, distinguishing between a delivery person and a potential threat. By activating lights or audio responses the moment an intruder is detected, scOS destroys the anonymity that burglars rely on. In a community like Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, where burglary is rare (only 1 incident recorded), a visible, high-tech security presence signals that your property is not an easy target. Moving from reactive recording to proactive prevention is the most effective way to ensure your home remains part of the area's positive safety statistics.