Haverfordwest Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

August 2023 marked a significant shift in Haverfordwest's crime profile, with the overall rate of 13.4 per 1,000 residents placing the area 65.4% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This stark divergence from national trends highlights the unique challenges faced by this coastal built-up area within Pembrokeshire. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 41.9% of all reported incidents, a category that sits at 5.6 per 1,000—112% above the UK average. This dominance of violent crime contrasts with the UK profile, where property crimes typically outpace violent offences. Anti-social behaviour, contributing 12.8% of the total, and shoplifting, at 11.6%, followed closely, though both remain significantly elevated compared to national figures. Seasonal factors likely play a role in these patterns, as August is a peak holiday month for the area, potentially increasing the number of transient visitors and leaving more properties unoccupied. This combination of factors—high tourist traffic, seasonal property vulnerability, and a localised concentration of violent incidents—creates a complex environment for law enforcement. The data also reveals a marked imbalance in crime distribution, with violent crimes dominating over property-related offences, a trend that may reflect the area's specific socio-economic dynamics or spatial characteristics. For instance, the high rate of violence and sexual offences could be linked to the area's proximity to major roads or the presence of transient populations during the summer months. Meanwhile, the elevated shoplifting figures may be tied to the retail presence in the town centre, a common driver of such crimes in built-up areas. These insights suggest that tailored strategies, such as increased patrols during peak tourist hours or targeted community engagement, may be necessary to address the area's unique crime profile.

August 2023 saw a 33.3% decrease in anti-social behaviour, with reported incidents falling from 33 to 22. This decline, coupled with an 18.2% reduction in other theft (from 11 to 9), suggests potential improvements in community policing or local initiatives targeting nuisance crimes. Conversely, public order offences surged by 200.0%, rising from 6 to 18—a stark increase that may reflect heightened tensions during the summer tourist season. Vehicle crime also saw a 100.0% jump, with two incidents reported in August compared to none in July, possibly linked to increased holiday traffic or temporary vehicle storage. Violence and sexual offences remained high, at 5.6 per 1,000—112% above the UK average. This category's dominance (41.9% of all crimes) raises questions about local factors, such as the area's proximity to major transport routes or the timing of events that draw larger crowds. The sharp rise in public order offences, in particular, could indicate a need for targeted interventions during peak tourist periods.

Haverfordwest's crime rate in August 2023 rose to 13.4 per 1,000 residents, an 11.0% increase from the previous month's 12.1 per 1,000. This brings the local rate 65.4% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, a disparity that persists despite recent fluctuations. On a daily basis, the area recorded an average of 6 crimes per day in August, a figure that, while consistent with local patterns, underscores the concentrated nature of criminal activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 74 residents, highlighting the frequency of incidents within a relatively small population. This monthly exposure rate, when considered alongside the area's built-up character and seasonal dynamics, suggests that local factors—such as tourism peaks and property density—may play a role in shaping crime patterns. The population context also reveals that, despite Haverfordwest's size, the per capita crime burden is higher than national benchmarks, a trend that may warrant further analysis of local policing strategies and community engagement efforts.