Pontardawe Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

In October 2023, Pontardawe recorded 40 crimes, translating to 0.7 crimes per resident in a population of 5,760. This equates to a crime rate of 6.9 per 1,000 residents — 13.7% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 45% of all reported incidents (18 cases). Public order offences (8 cases) and anti-social behaviour (7 cases) followed, highlighting a pattern of interpersonal and community-level issues. The breakdown of crimes aligns with seasonal factors: October’s darker evenings, coupled with Halloween, may contribute to increased visibility of public order issues and alcohol-related incidents in local spaces. The low property crime rate (6 cases, or 15% of total) contrasts with national trends, suggesting that local factors such as community cohesion or environmental design may play a role in deterring theft and burglary. This pattern is consistent with other built-up areas in Wales where community policing initiatives and targeted interventions have historically reduced property crime rates. The seasonal context also raises questions about how temporary spikes in public activity — such as Halloween events — might influence crime patterns, though the overall rate remains lower than the UK average.

October 2023 saw notable shifts in crime patterns, with anti-social behaviour increasing by 75% compared to September (4 → 7 cases) and other crime and robbery both doubling (0 → 1 case). These increases may reflect heightened social interactions during the Halloween period, though the overall crime rate remained stable at 6.9 per 1,000. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 66.7% (3 → 1 case), potentially linked to reduced retail activity during the month. Violence and sexual offences, while still the most common category, decreased by 10% (20 → 18 cases), a trend that could be attributed to targeted policing efforts or seasonal factors such as shorter evenings. Public order offences stood out as significantly above the UK average (1.4 per 1,000 vs 0.6 per 1,000), indicating a local challenge in managing community spaces. This is particularly relevant for residents: if a local park or public square experiences frequent disturbances, it may be worth noting to local authorities for increased monitoring. The stark contrast between public order issues and property crime rates underscores a need for differentiated strategies — addressing social tensions while maintaining security in commercial areas.

Pontardawe’s crime rate in October 2023 (6.9 per 1,000) was 2.5% lower than the previous month’s rate of 7.1 per 1,000, reflecting a slight but consistent decline. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day, a figure that may seem low but is amplified by the small population of 5,760 residents. Over the course of the month, this translated to one reported crime for roughly every 144 residents — a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average when scaled to local demographics. The population context is critical: in a community of fewer than 6,000 people, even a single incident can feel significant, yet the overall rate remains comfortably below national benchmarks. This suggests that local factors — such as community engagement, policing priorities, or geographic characteristics — are effectively mitigating crime. The comparison to the previous month also reveals a nuanced picture: while violent crime decreased, public order issues rose, indicating that the area’s challenges are evolving. For residents, this means that while the overall risk of victimisation is low, certain community-specific issues may require targeted attention.