Port Talbot Crime Rate November 2025 | Monthly Statistics

In November 2025, Port Talbot’s crime rate of 8.0 per 1,000 residents placed it 9.6% above the UK average, underscoring the area’s position as a major urban centre with persistent challenges in public safety. The most significant contributors to this rate were violence and sexual offences (38.9% of all crimes), shoplifting (16.2%), and public order offences (13.3%). These figures, while alarming, are consistent with the town’s industrial heritage and the pressures of urban living, where high foot traffic in retail areas and the absence of robust community policing may contribute to higher rates of property crime. Seasonal factors, including the dark evenings of November and the impact of Black Friday shopping, likely exacerbated shoplifting and public order issues, though the exact causal links remain speculative. The violence and sexual offences category, 21% above the UK average, may be linked to the area’s demographic profile—characterised by a mix of working-age populations and transient communities—where social tensions and limited access to mental health support could play a role. Despite these challenges, the area’s crime profile does not align with the extreme violence or disorder seen in larger cities, suggesting a nuanced interplay between local conditions and broader national trends. The relatively low rates of burglary (1.3%) and theft from the person (0.4%) indicate that residential areas may be better protected, though this could also reflect underreporting or the effectiveness of local anti-crime measures. As the year progresses, continued monitoring of these trends, particularly in relation to seasonal and economic factors, will be critical to understanding the full scope of Port Talbot’s crime profile.

November saw a sharp 128.6% increase in vehicle crime, likely tied to the surge in online shopping and delivery traffic during Black Friday. This rise, from seven to 16 incidents, contrasts with a 58.3% drop in criminal damage and arson, possibly reflecting seasonal shifts in criminal activity. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 38.9% of all crimes—21% above the UK average, a figure that may be influenced by the area’s urban density and the impact of darker evenings on social interactions. Anti-social behaviour rates were 43% below the UK average, a trend that could reflect community initiatives or the effects of reduced public spaces during colder months. The doubling of ‘other crime’ reports—from four to eight—suggests a broadening of criminal activity, though the exact nature of these incidents remains unspecified in the data.

Port Talbot’s crime rate in November 2025 fell by 25% compared to the previous month, dropping from 10.6 to 8.0 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with seasonal patterns, as November’s shorter evenings and post-Black Friday lull may reduce opportunities for public order and retail-related crimes. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately eight crimes per day, a figure that translates to one reported crime for roughly every 125 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, while notable, is consistent with the area’s urban density and historical industrial activity. The population context further highlights that, despite the 9.6% increase over the UK average, the absolute number of crimes remains manageable for a town of 29,332 people. The shift in crime mix—particularly the drop in violent crimes and rise in vehicle-related offences—suggests evolving patterns tied to local infrastructure, such as increased traffic during November’s shopping events.