Neath Crime Rate

Neath is a safe urban settlement within Neath Port Talbot, boasting a safety score of 82/100. The town's overall crime rate is 73.8 per 1,000 people, which is notably lower than the UK average of 91.6. Data from Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 shows a stable trend, with a minor year-over-year increase of just 0.9%. Neath is particularly secure regarding property, with a property crime rate of 14.1 per 1,000—well below the national average of 32.2. These figures suggest that Neath offers a secure environment for its 47,434 residents, combining the convenience of an urban centre with crime levels that are well-managed and lower than many comparable UK towns. The following sections provide a detailed breakdown of crime types, trends, and safety advice.

Crime in Neath

In Neath, violence and sexual offences are the most frequently reported crimes, accounting for 1,534 incidents or 43.8% of the total. Anti-social behaviour is the second most common at 17.4%, followed by public order offences at 11.9%. These statistics suggest that interpersonal and social-nuisance issues are the primary concerns for local law enforcement within the urban settlement.

Property crime in Neath—which includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and arson—occurs at a rate of 14.1 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.2, indicating that Neath is a relatively safe place for property owners. Within this category, 'other theft' and shoplifting are the most common, while burglary is notably low, representing just 1.7% of total crime. For residents, these figures are reassuring; while public-facing offences like anti-social behaviour are more visible, the statistical risk of serious property crime or burglary remains very low compared to national averages. Maintaining standard home security and community vigilance is generally sufficient to manage these risks.

Crime Trends in Neath

The crime trend in Neath is currently stable, with a minor year-over-year increase of 0.9%. Monthly data from 2025 shows a relatively consistent crime rate, fluctuating between a low of 5.1 per 1,000 in January and a peak of 7.0 per 1,000 in June. This slight summer increase is common in urban areas as footfall in the town centre rises during the warmer months.

Following the summer peak, the rate remained fairly steady, with another minor rise in October (6.7) before dropping to 5.2 in December. This level of stability is a positive indicator for the community, suggesting that there are no rapid escalations in criminal activity. For residents, this means that the town's safety profile is predictable. While the minor increase indicates that vigilance is still required, Neath remains a consistently safe urban environment compared to national trends, with local authorities effectively managing crime levels throughout the year.

How To Keep Safe in Neath

The most common crime in Neath is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 43.8% of all reports. While these are often concentrated in specific social or nightlife settings, general awareness is key to staying safe in the town centre.

When walking through Neath at night, stick to well-lit main roads and avoid isolated shortcuts. Travelling with friends and using licensed taxis are effective ways to ensure personal safety. Anti-social behaviour is the second highest crime category (17.4%), so reporting persistent issues to the local council or police can help maintain the town's safety. For vehicle owners, be aware that vehicle crime accounts for 30% of night-time offences; always double-check that your car is locked and never leave valuables like bags or electronics on display. Finally, given that 16% of night-time crimes are burglaries, ensure your home is properly secured before bed, including locking all windows and setting any alarms. Simple, consistent habits are often the best defence in a relatively safe town like Neath.

Crime Patterns in Neath

Analysis of the time-based data for Neath reveals distinct patterns throughout the day. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are dominated by theft-related offences, which account for 47% of crimes in this period, likely linked to the opening of retail and commercial areas. This trend continues into the afternoon (12pm-6pm), where theft offences peak at 52% of all incidents.

As the day transitions into the evening (6pm-12am), the nature of crime shifts toward public order and anti-social behaviour, which fall under the 'other' category and account for 56% of reports. Night-time (12am-6am) presents the most significant change in risk profile; while overall crime volume is lower, vehicle crime spikes to 30% of all incidents in this period, and burglary reaches its highest percentage at 16%. This suggests that while daytime activity is largely retail-focused, the hours of darkness pose a more specific threat to property and vehicles, necessitating increased vigilance and security for residents overnight.

When comparing Neath to its surrounding areas, it holds a middle ground in terms of safety. Its crime rate of 73.8 per 1,000 is higher than the nearby residential villages of Tonna (39.3) and Cilfrew (0.0), which is expected given Neath's larger population and urban centre. However, Neath is safer than Baglan (77.4) and significantly more secure than Port Talbot (116.6). Another nearby area, Llandarcy, also reported 0.0 crimes in this period. For those looking at the region, Neath provides a safe, well-connected urban base that remains significantly more secure than the UK national average, making it an attractive option for both families and professionals in South Wales.

With a property crime rate of 14.1 per 1,000, Neath is a low-risk area, yet the presence of vehicle crime and burglary during night-time hours suggests that targeted security is still valuable. Traditional CCTV systems are often reactive, providing footage only after a theft or break-in has occurred. For Neath residents, a proactive approach to home security is more effective at maintaining the town's high safety standards.

The scOS security operating system uses advanced AI to detect threats at your property boundary before they escalate. By monitoring all camera feeds simultaneously, scOS can identify suspicious activity—such as someone loitering near a vehicle or home entrance—and trigger autonomous responses like activating lights or speakers. This destroys the element of surprise that opportunistic criminals rely on. In an area like Neath, where burglary is rare (1.3 per 1,000), the visible deterrence of a professional AI system can ensure your home remains an unattractive target. By choosing proactive protection, you are investing in a system that prevents crime, rather than just recording it for evidence later.