Pontardawe Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

In October 2024, Pontardawe recorded 41 crimes across a population of 5,760 residents, equating to a crime rate of 7.1 per 1,000 people — 12.3% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This translates to one reported crime for every 140 residents over the course of the month. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 46.3% of all incidents (19 cases), followed by public order offences (8 cases) and criminal damage and arson (4 cases). These figures highlight a stark contrast to the UK average for violent crime, which is 2.7 per 1,000 — a 24% deficit in Pontardawe’s rate. The seasonal context of October, with darker evenings and Halloween activities, may have contributed to the prominence of public order and violence-related offences, though no direct causal link can be confirmed. The relatively low property crime rate (7 cases, or 1.2 per 1,000) suggests that theft and burglary are less frequent in this built-up area compared to other parts of the UK. This pattern aligns with Pontardawe’s character as a smaller, more tightly knit community within Neath Port Talbot, where social cohesion may play a role in reducing certain types of crime. However, the significant rise in public order offences compared to the UK average (150% above) indicates a need for targeted local initiatives to address specific issues such as anti-social behaviour and disorderly conduct.

October 2024 saw notable fluctuations in crime types across Pontardawe. Public order offences surged by 166.7% compared to the previous month, rising from 3 to 8 incidents — a sharp increase that outpaced other categories. This spike may be linked to Halloween-related activities and the transition to darker evenings, which can amplify incidents of disorder. Conversely, anti-social behaviour dropped by 66.7%, from 9 to 3 cases, suggesting potential success in local interventions or seasonal factors reducing such conduct. Other crime and drugs-related offences each doubled, reflecting a 100% increase from the prior month, though these remain relatively low in absolute terms. Violent crimes, while still the most common category, decreased by 13.6% (from 22 to 19 cases), a trend that may indicate the effectiveness of ongoing policing efforts or community programmes. Anti-social behaviour and shoplifting were both significantly below the UK average — 61% and 72% lower, respectively — indicating that certain aspects of local crime management are performing well. However, public order offences being 150% above the UK average highlight a critical area for improvement, with local authorities needing to address underlying factors such as alcohol consumption or youth-related incidents in public spaces.

Pontardawe’s crime rate in October 2024 remained stable compared to the previous month, with no change in the overall rate of 7.1 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests that broader trends in crime prevention or community dynamics have not shifted significantly. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one reported crime per day over the 31-day period, a figure that provides context for residents seeking to understand the frequency of incidents in their local environment. When scaled to the population, the monthly exposure rate of one crime per 140 residents illustrates that the majority of residents are not directly affected by crime on a regular basis. However, this statistic should be interpreted alongside the breakdown of crime types, as the distribution of offences can vary greatly in impact. For instance, while property crime rates are relatively low, the prominence of violence and public order offences may have a more immediate effect on community safety perceptions. This balance between low overall rates and specific areas of concern underscores the importance of targeted policing and community engagement. Residents should also consider that these figures represent a snapshot of October’s data, and longer-term trends may reveal additional insights into the effectiveness of local crime reduction strategies.