Pembrokeshire Crime Rate

Pembrokeshire’s crime rate of 88.8 per 1,000 residents places it 2.4% below the UK average, yet it faces distinct challenges. While property crime is 29.2% lower than the national average, violence and sexual offences are 35% above UK levels, and criminal damage and arson are 36% higher. This contrast highlights the area’s unique blend of rural tranquility and urban pockets with higher social tensions, particularly in coastal towns like Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

Pembrokeshire’s coastal geography and mix of rural villages, historic towns, and tourist hubs shape its crime profile. Coastal areas like Milford Haven and Haverfordwest, with higher population densities and seasonal tourism, see elevated violence and anti-social behaviour. Meanwhile, rural parts like Hook (Pembrokeshire) report significantly lower crime rates, likely due to sparse populations and strong community ties. The area’s economic reliance on tourism may also drive public order offences during peak seasons, while property crime remains low, possibly reflecting robust home security practices in rural areas.

The most surprising finding is anti-social behaviour’s 41% deficit compared to the UK average, despite a 30% year-on-year rise. This suggests effective local initiatives or community engagement in many parts of Pembrokeshire. Violence and sexual offences, however, are 35% above the UK average, likely linked to seasonal tourism in coastal towns and the social dynamics of transient populations. Criminal damage and arson, 36% above average, may stem from vandalism in public spaces or targeted acts in areas with higher youth populations, such as Pembroke. Property crime remains low, with burglary 9% below the UK average, possibly due to rural property layouts and limited commercial activity outside major towns.

Crime in Pembrokeshire rose by 16.9% year-on-year, with a distinct seasonal pattern peaking in July (9.2 per 1,000/month) and troughing in December (6.1 per 1,000/month). This aligns with summer tourism, which likely increases public order and anti-social behaviour incidents. Bicycle theft surged by 89% YoY, possibly due to increased cycling during warmer months or thefts targeting tourists in coastal areas. The rise in violence and sexual offences (+19.4% YoY) may reflect higher foot traffic in town centres during peak season, while criminal damage and arson (+12.6% YoY) could be tied to vandalism linked to transient populations or environmental factors.

Pembrokeshire’s crime rate is 29% higher than Ceredigion, a rural county with a safer profile, likely due to Ceredigion’s lower population density and fewer urban centres. Conversely, Swansea’s crime rate is 2% lower than Pembrokeshire’s, possibly because of its more compact urban layout and established community policing initiatives. The stark contrast between rural areas like Hook (Pembrokeshire) (25.8 per 1,000) and urban hubs like Haverfordwest (181.7 per 1,000) underscores how geography and population density influence crime patterns.

For Pembrokeshire residents, scOS’s AI-powered boundary detection is vital given the 36% above-average rate of criminal damage and arson. Its simultaneous multi-camera monitoring distinguishes between benign and hostile activity, reducing false alarms while deterring vandals. In coastal areas, scOS’s DVLA vehicle registration verification can flag stolen vehicles near tourist sites, complementing the area’s 73% below-average vehicle crime rate. The system’s remote configuration ensures even rural properties in areas like Rural Pembrokeshire (41.3 per 1,000) can benefit from hardwired, tamper-proof security, addressing the 115% higher crime rate compared to those areas.

How To Keep Safe in Pembrokeshire

Residents should focus on securing properties against criminal damage and arson, which are 36% above the UK average. In coastal towns, avoid leaving valuables in vehicles during peak tourist seasons, as vehicle crime is 73% below average but rising. For families, utilise Neighbourhood Watch schemes in areas like St Davids, where crime rates are 56% lower than Pembrokeshire’s average. In urban pockets like Haverfordwest, where crime is 105% higher, ensure homes have secure entry points and consider motion-sensor lighting for anti-social behaviour hotspots.