Rural Neath Port Talbot Crime Rate

Rural Neath Port Talbot offers a high level of safety for its residents, with an overall crime rate of 63.2 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7, contributing to an excellent safety score of 84/100. The area has seen a positive downward trend in criminal activity, with a 7.2% year-over-year decrease in total offences. Property crime is particularly low in this region, with a rate of 10.7 per 1,000 people, which is less than a third of the national average. This data suggests that Rural Neath Port Talbot is one of the more secure areas within the local authority, providing a safe environment for both individuals and families. This report explores the specific crime types, trends, and safety patterns across the rural landscape.

Crime Breakdown in Rural Neath Port Talbot

The crime profile of Rural Neath Port Talbot is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 47.7% of all recorded incidents with 349 cases. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 17.8% (130 cases) and public order offences at 11.6% (85 cases). These categories represent the primary concerns for law enforcement across this broader rural region.

Property-related crime, encompassing burglary, theft, and vehicle crime, occurs at a rate of 10.7 per 1,000 people. This is exceptionally low compared to the UK average of 32.3, highlighting the area's overall security for homeowners. Within this category, criminal damage and arson is the most frequent with 49 incidents (6.7% of total crime), followed by "other theft" with 29 incidents. Vehicle crime accounted for 23 incidents, while burglary was recorded 17 times. Other categories like shoplifting (3 cases) and bicycle theft (1 case) are very rare. For residents, these statistics show that while social and personal safety issues are the most common, the risk of property-focused crime like burglary is very small. However, the prevalence of criminal damage and vehicle crime suggests that exterior home and vehicle security should remain a priority for those in more isolated rural locations.

Rural Neath Port Talbot is currently experiencing a positive downward trend in crime, with a 7.2% year-over-year decrease in total offences. Monthly data from Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 shows a relatively stable crime rate, with most months fluctuating between 4.5 and 6.6 per 1,000 people.

The highest activity was recorded in June 2025 (6.6), August 2025 (6.4), and January 2025 (6.1). Conversely, the lowest activity occurred in September 2025, where the rate dropped to 3.4. The end of the year showed a slight increase from the September low, settling at 5.1 in November. This overall stability, combined with the annual decrease, suggests that the area remains consistently safe. For residents, these figures provide reassurance that Rural Neath Port Talbot is maintaining its high safety standards, with no significant or sustained spikes in criminal activity over the past twelve months.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Neath Port Talbot

The most common crime category across Rural Neath Port Talbot is violence and sexual offences, followed by anti-social behaviour. While the area is statistically very safe, the rural context requires specific safety considerations.

For personal safety, residents should stay aware of their surroundings, particularly when in more isolated locations. If you are out walking or exercising alone, it is a good idea to carry a mobile phone and inform someone of your planned route and expected return time. In rural areas, sticking to known paths and being mindful of the time of day can further reduce personal risk.

Regarding property safety, the high percentage of vehicle crime at night (38%) is a key area for focus. Always ensure vehicles are locked and, where possible, parked in a garage or a well-lit area close to the house. For those with larger properties, motion-activated lighting and clear boundary markers can help deter opportunistic trespassers. Reporting any suspicious activity or anti-social behaviour to the police via the 101 service is vital; in rural areas, community reporting is often the best way for law enforcement to identify emerging patterns and protect the neighbourhood.

Crime in Rural Neath Port Talbot follows distinct patterns throughout the day. The morning and afternoon periods are most associated with theft-related offences, which make up 39% and 42% of crimes in those windows respectively. This suggests that property crime is most likely when residents are active during the day. As the evening (6pm - 12am) approaches, the focus shifts to "Other" crimes like public order and anti-social behaviour, which account for 51% of incidents. The night-time period (12am - 6am) is particularly notable for vehicle crime, which accounts for 38% of all offences during these hours—the highest percentage for this category across the entire day. Burglary risk is also highest in the afternoon (21%) and night (20%). These patterns indicate that while daytime requires vigilance against theft, the night-time hours are the most critical for vehicle and residential security in rural areas.

When compared to the broader region, Rural Neath Port Talbot (63.2) maintains a very similar safety profile to other low-crime settlements like Cwmllynfell and Ystradowen (61.2) and Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen (60.4). It is notably safer than many of the more urbanised built-up areas within Neath Port Talbot. This comparison highlights that the rural parts of the county consistently provide a higher standard of safety and a lower volume of criminal activity than the national average. For those seeking a secure residential environment, the rural areas of Neath Port Talbot represent some of the most protected communities in the region.

Rural Neath Port Talbot boasts a very low property crime rate of 10.7 per 1,000, but the rural and sometimes isolated nature of properties here presents unique security challenges. Traditional security systems, like standard CCTV, are often reactive—they record an event but do nothing to stop it. On a rural property, where neighbours may be further away, a reactive system might only provide you with footage of a crime after the offender has left.

Proactive security systems like scOS are designed to change this. By using AI to monitor your property's boundaries, scOS can detect a potential threat the moment someone enters your land. The system can then respond autonomously with lights or audio alerts, deterring the intruder before they ever reach your home or vehicle. This is particularly valuable in rural areas for preventing vehicle crime, which accounts for 38% of night-time incidents locally. Moving from reactive recording to proactive AI-driven prevention is the most effective way to ensure your rural home remains as safe as the local statistics suggest. For Rural Neath Port Talbot residents, scOS offers the modern, active protection needed for peace of mind.