Pontardawe Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Pontardawe’s crime rate of 5.4 per 1,000 residents in January 2024 places it 27% below the UK average of 7.4, a position that reflects broader patterns seen in similarly sized built-up areas within South Wales. The area’s crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 41.9% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (16.1%) and drugs-related incidents (12.9%). This distribution suggests a focus on interpersonal and community-level issues rather than property crime, which made up just 12.9% of the total. Seasonal factors likely play a role in these figures: January’s shorter days and post-holiday retail quiet likely reduce opportunities for theft and fraud, though the rise in drug-related crimes may indicate shifts in local illicit activity patterns. The lower-than-average violent crime rate compared to the UK (2.3 per 1,000 in Pontardawe vs 2.6 nationally) suggests that community policing efforts or demographic factors may contribute to this trend. However, the area’s elevated rates for public order offences (46% above the UK average) and drug-related crimes (233% above the UK average) highlight specific challenges that may require targeted interventions. These figures must be considered alongside Pontardawe’s character as a built-up area within Neath Port Talbot, where industrial legacy and urban density may shape both crime opportunities and policing priorities.

January 2024 saw significant shifts in crime patterns, with drugs-related offences surging by 100% (from 0 to 4 incidents) and vehicle crime and theft from the person each rising from zero to one incident—a 100% increase for both categories. This contrasted with declines in anti-social behaviour (down 54.5% from 11 to 5 incidents) and other crime (down 50% from 2 to 1). The rise in drug-related crimes, which now stand at 0.7 per 1,000 residents (233% above the UK average), may reflect broader regional trends or localized pressures. Conversely, the drop in anti-social behaviour could align with seasonal factors, as January’s reduced retail activity and shorter daylight hours may dampen public order incidents. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, though their rate (2.3 per 1,000) was 12% below the UK average. This suggests that while violent crime remains a concern, Pontardawe’s rate is lower than the national benchmark. Residents might find the 100% increase in drug-related crimes particularly notable, as it indicates a sudden shift in local crime dynamics that could warrant further localised analysis.

Pontardawe’s crime rate in January 2024 (5.4 per 1,000) marked an 8.8% decrease from December’s rate of 5.9, reflecting a gradual decline in overall crime over the past two months. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one crime per day during January—a figure that, while low, underscores the persistent nature of local crime patterns. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime for every 186 residents over the course of the month. Given Pontardawe’s population of 5,760, this suggests that while individual residents face a relatively low monthly risk of being directly affected by crime, the cumulative impact across the community remains measurable. The comparison to the UK average further highlights Pontardawe’s position as a relatively safe area, particularly in relation to violent crime and property crime. However, the elevated rates for specific categories—such as drugs (233% above the UK average) and public order offences (46% above the UK average)—indicate that targeted efforts may be necessary to address these disparities. These figures, when considered alongside the area’s built-up nature and industrial heritage, suggest that localised factors—such as access to illicit markets or community-specific tensions—may play a role in shaping these particular crime trends.