Pontardawe Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Pontardawe's crime rate in January 2026 stood at 9.4 per 1,000 residents, 38.2% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This places the built-up area within Neath Port Talbot significantly higher than the national benchmark, with violence and sexual offences accounting for nearly 60% of all reported crimes. The data reveals a marked shift in the crime profile compared to the previous month, with violent crimes dominating the landscape. While property crimes like burglary and drugs-related incidents remain below UK averages, the surge in violent offences and public order disturbances suggests a broader pattern of escalation. Seasonal factors may contribute to this trend, as January's post-holiday period and shorter daylight hours often correlate with increased indoor activity and potential conflicts in densely populated areas. The breakdown shows that violence and sexual offences, at 5.6 per 1,000, are 124% above the UK average, while criminal damage and arson cases are 108% above the national rate. This contrast with burglary and drugs-related offences, which are below UK averages, highlights the complexity of local crime dynamics. The area's relatively small population of 5,760 means that even modest increases in crime can have a pronounced impact on residents' perceptions of safety. The combination of elevated violent crime rates and the absence of significant reductions in property-related offences suggests a need for targeted strategies to address the underlying causes of this spike.

Violence and sexual offences saw a dramatic 166.7% increase from 12 to 32 incidents in January 2026, dominating the crime profile with 59.3% of all reported crimes. This surge, coupled with a 100% rise in criminal damage and arson cases, highlights a shift toward violent and property-related offences. While burglary and drugs cases remained below UK averages, the overall crime mix shows a marked imbalance compared to the national picture. The category of 'other crime'—which includes unclassified incidents—jumped 212% above the UK average, suggesting underreported or emerging issues. A resident might find the 5.6 per 1,000 rate for violence and sexual offences particularly concerning, as it is 124% higher than the UK average. This stark contrast, alongside the 108% increase in criminal damage, indicates a need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas.

Pontardawe's crime rate in January 2026 rose sharply to 9.4 per 1,000 residents, more than doubling the previous month's rate of 4.0 per 1,000. This 135.1% increase places the area far above national averages, with daily crime figures showing roughly two incidents reported each day. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 107 residents, a statistic that underscores the frequency of incidents in a relatively small population of 5,760. While the UK average for violent crimes is 2.5 per 1,000, Pontardawe's rate of 5.6 per 1,000 highlights a stark divergence. This contrast is particularly notable in categories like criminal damage and public order offences, where local rates are more than double the national average. The population-scaled perspective reveals that residents face a higher risk of encountering crime compared to the broader UK context, though specific categories like burglary and drugs show lower rates than the UK average. These figures suggest a combination of local factors contributing to the elevated crime profile.