Neath Crime Rate

Neath currently maintains an overall crime rate of 73.6 per 1,000 people, which is notably lower than the UK national average of 91.7. This positive performance is reflected in an impressive safety score of 82/100, placing the town well above the UK average of 79/100. Recent data indicates that the crime trend in Neath is stable, with a minor year-over-year decrease of 0.8%. As a historic market town with a mix of commercial and residential areas, Neath offers a generally secure environment for its 47,434 residents. The following report provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, monthly trends, and peak activity times, offering essential context for understanding the safety landscape of the Neath urban area.

In Neath, the crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 1,514 incidents, or 43.4% of total reported crime. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 18.2% and public order offences at 11.6%. These figures highlight that interpersonal issues and social conduct are the primary concerns for local law enforcement and the community.

Property crime in Neath is relatively low, with a rate of 14.1 per 1,000 people, which is significantly better than the UK average of 32.3. This category includes criminal damage and arson (6.8%), other theft (4.3%), and shoplifting (3.4%). Burglary is quite rare, representing only 1.7% of all crimes with 60 recorded incidents. Vehicle crime (2.2%) and robbery (0.3%) also remain at very low levels. For residents, this data suggests that while the risk of serious property theft is low, the prevalence of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage means that maintaining a visible security presence and community vigilance is still important for preserving the local quality of life.

The crime trend in Neath is currently stable, with a minor decrease of 0.8% in total crimes compared to the previous 12-month period. Analysis of the monthly trendData shows that the crime rate per 1,000 people began at 5.0 in December 2024 and saw a steady increase through the spring. The rate reached a peak of 7.0 in June 2025, before fluctuating slightly through the summer and autumn months.

The rate remained relatively consistent between 5.6 and 6.8 for the remainder of the year, ending at 6.0 in November 2025. This stability indicates that Neath is not experiencing a sudden surge in criminal activity, but rather a consistent level of reports. For residents, this predictability is somewhat reassuring, suggesting that local safety measures are maintaining a steady grip on crime. However, the consistent volume of violence and anti-social behaviour reports highlights the need for continued community-focused policing to drive these numbers down further in the future.

How To Keep Safe in Neath

With violence and sexual offences being the most prevalent crime type in Neath, accounting for over 43% of total incidents, personal safety awareness is paramount. While many of these reports are not random, it is wise to take standard precautions when moving through the town centre, especially during late-night hours.

When out in the evening, stick to well-lit, busy pedestrian routes and try to travel in groups. Be particularly mindful in areas with high nightlife activity, where anti-social behaviour (18.2% of total crime) is most likely to occur. To protect against the 2.2% of vehicle crime, always ensure your car is locked and avoid leaving any items, even small ones, on display. Given that burglaries are most frequent at night, always double-check that all ground-floor windows and doors are securely locked before going to bed. Finally, reporting any suspicious activity or anti-social behaviour to the local police helps them better understand and manage local hotspots, contributing to the town's overall safety score of 82/100.

Crime in Neath follows distinct temporal patterns throughout the day. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are characterised by theft-related offences, which make up 45% of incidents during this period as shops and businesses open. This trend continues into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), where theft accounts for 50% of crimes, likely linked to peak retail activity in the town centre. As the day transitions into the evening (6pm-12am), the profile shifts significantly toward "other" crime types, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which comprise 57% of evening reports. During the night (12am-6am), vehicle crime becomes a major factor, rising to 31% of incidents, while burglary also reaches its highest proportional frequency at 15%. This suggests that while daytime crime is largely commercial, night-time crime focuses on residential vulnerabilities and unattended vehicles.

When compared to surrounding areas, Neath's crime rate of 73.6 per 1,000 people positions it as a relatively safe urban centre. It is safer than the nearby industrial hub of Port Talbot, which has a much higher rate of 117.9, and slightly more secure than Baglan (75.9). However, it does experience more reported crime than smaller, more rural neighbours like Tonna (42.3) or Cilfrew and Llandarcy, which show minimal recorded activity. This distribution is typical for a regional commercial centre that attracts higher footfall than its satellite villages. For those looking at the Neath Port Talbot region, Neath offers a balanced safety profile that combines the convenience of an urban centre with a crime rate that remains consistently better than national benchmarks.

In Neath, the property crime rate is 14.1 per 1,000 people—well below the national average. However, the data shows that 15% of night-time crimes are burglaries, suggesting that when properties are unattended or residents are asleep, vulnerabilities exist. Traditional security systems like standard CCTV are reactive; they record a crime but do little to stop it.

For Neath homeowners who want true protection, a proactive approach is essential. scOS uses AI-powered intelligence to detect potential threats at your property boundary, not after a break-in has occurred. By monitoring all camera feeds simultaneously, scOS can identify suspicious patterns and trigger autonomous responses—such as activating lights or audio alerts—to destroy the element of surprise. In a town like Neath, where burglary is low but often occurs under the cover of darkness, the visible deterrence of a professional-grade system like scOS ensures your home is not the easiest target on the street. Choosing proactive AI over reactive recording is the most effective way to maintain Neath's high safety standard for your own home.