Pembrokeshire Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Pembrokeshire’s December 2024 crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000 residents places it 9.9% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000, reflecting a consistently lower-than-average profile for the local authority. The most common crimes reported were violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 49.9% of all incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson (11.5%) and public order offences (7.6%). This distribution contrasts with the UK average, where violence and sexual offences make up only 25% of the total, suggesting a higher concentration of violent crime in Pembrokeshire relative to the national picture. Seasonal factors likely play a role in this dynamic, as December’s dark evenings, Christmas shopping activity, and party season create conditions that may increase opportunities for certain types of crime. The area’s coastal geography and mix of tourist infrastructure, rural communities, and local businesses could also contribute to the prominence of public order and violence-related offences, as these areas often experience spikes in transient populations and social interactions during the festive period. Anti-social behaviour and shoplifting rates were both significantly below the UK average, with anti-social behaviour 47% lower and shoplifting 47% lower, a trend that may be attributed to the area’s relatively low population density and the potential for community policing efforts to deter such activities. However, the sharp increases in robbery and theft from the person highlight the need for targeted interventions during peak holiday periods, when the area’s unique combination of tourism and local life may create vulnerabilities that require closer attention.

December 2024 saw a 100% increase in reported robberies, rising from 0 to 4 incidents—a stark contrast to the 100% rise in theft from the person, which jumped from 3 to 6. These sharp increases, though small in absolute terms, highlight a shift in crime patterns during the festive period, potentially linked to the seasonal influx of visitors and the heightened presence of valuable items in public spaces. Meanwhile, vehicle crime dropped by 52.6% (from 19 to 9), a decline consistent with the typical reduction in motor-related offences during winter months when daylight hours shrink and outdoor activity diminishes. Shoplifting fell by 30.2% compared to November, likely influenced by the holiday shopping peak in December, which may have deterred opportunistic thefts due to increased police presence or heightened retail security measures. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for nearly 50% of all crimes, a rate 25% above the UK average, which may reflect the area’s mix of tourist attractions and local communities during the busy festive season.

Pembrokeshire's December 2024 crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000 residents marks a 6.1% decline from the previous month’s 6.8 per 1,000, reflecting a slight but notable downward trend. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 26 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 157 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the relatively low frequency of crime in comparison to the UK average. This statistic, when scaled to the local population of 125,761, illustrates that the majority of residents experience no direct impact from crime during any given month. The decrease in overall crime rate aligns with seasonal patterns often observed in coastal areas during winter, where reduced foot traffic and holiday-related closures may contribute to lower opportunities for certain types of crime.