Pontardawe Crime Rate

Pontardawe's crime statistics for the period of December 2024 to November 2025 show an overall crime rate of 79.0 per 1,000 residents. This is comfortably below the UK average of 91.7, contributing to a high safety score of 80/100. The crime trend in Pontardawe is currently stable, with a marginal increase of 3.9% over the past year. These figures indicate that Pontardawe is a relatively safe urban settlement within Neath Port Talbot, maintaining a safety profile that is better than the national benchmark while showing consistent year-on-year stability.

In Pontardawe, the crime breakdown shows that violence and sexual offences are the most frequent, representing 46.4% of all reported incidents. Public order offences (13.0%) and anti-social behaviour (10.1%) make up the other leading categories.

Property crime in Pontardawe is relatively low, with a rate of 19.1 per 1,000 residents. The most common property-related offences are criminal damage and arson (7.2%) and other theft (6.8%). Burglary is quite rare, accounting for only 2.0% of the total crime with 9 reported incidents. For homeowners and residents, this indicates that while the town is generally safe from serious property theft, maintaining vigilance against vandalism and opportunistic theft is still advisable. Protective measures should focus on boundary security to deter these less frequent but still impactful crimes.

The crime trend in Pontardawe is currently stable, with a year-over-year increase of 3.9%. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows the crime rate per 1,000 residents fluctuating between a low of 4.9 in December and a peak of 8.2 in February 2025.

Another notable spike occurred in October with a rate of 8.0. Outside of these peaks, the monthly rate generally stayed between 5.4 and 7.5. This pattern suggests that while the overall volume is consistent, there are occasional months with higher activity. For residents, the 3.9% increase is a minor fluctuation rather than a significant upward trend, meaning the town remains a largely secure environment with predictable safety levels.

How To Keep Safe in Pontardawe

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Pontardawe, representing 46.4% of reported incidents. While the town is generally safe, personal awareness in public spaces is always a good practice.

1. When walking through Pontardawe town centre or near local parks after dark, stick to well-lit main roads.
2. Be mindful of your surroundings when using local transport hubs late in the evening.
3. If you are socialising in local pubs or venues, stay with friends and ensure everyone has a safe journey home.
4. Report any instances of anti-social behaviour to the local authorities, as this helps police allocate resources to the right areas.
5. Ensure your home's exterior is well-maintained and that gates or fences are kept locked to discourage trespassing.

Crime in Pontardawe shows distinct temporal patterns, with activity peaking during the evening and night hours. Analysis of the time breakdown data reveals that theft and shoplifting are most prevalent during the afternoon (54%) and morning (49%), coinciding with retail opening hours. Conversely, vehicle crime becomes significantly more frequent at night, accounting for 35% of crimes during the 12am to 6am period. Burglary also sees a slight increase during the night (14%) and afternoon (12%). For residents, this suggests that while daytime focus should be on personal property in commercial areas, residential security—particularly for vehicles—is most critical during the overnight hours.

Pontardawe's safety profile is consistent with its surrounding areas. Its crime rate of 79.0 per 1,000 is slightly higher than neighbouring Alltwen (67.7) and Rhos (30.3), but it compares favourably to Clydach in Swansea (78.2). Nearby Glais reported no crime in the same period. For those looking at the Swansea Valley region, Pontardawe offers a secure urban environment with crime levels that are well below the UK national average, making it an attractive location for residents seeking a safer community.

With a property crime rate of 19.1 per 1,000 in Pontardawe, the risk of theft or criminal damage is lower than in many other urban areas. However, traditional security systems like standard CCTV often fail to prevent these crimes, as they only provide footage after the event. Most opportunistic criminals will move on if they encounter a home that appears professionally protected and proactive.

The scOS AI-powered operating system is designed to stop crime before it happens. By using multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries, scOS can identify potential threats such as unrecognised vehicles or loiterers in real-time. The system's autonomous response—such as activating security lights or audible deterrents—can disrupt a criminal's plans before they attempt to enter. For Pontardawe homeowners, scOS offers a level of proactive defence that far exceeds DIY cameras, ensuring your property is protected by a system that never blinks and intervenes when it matters most.