Merlin's Bridge Crime Rate

Merlin's Bridge is a residential settlement with a generally stable safety profile, characterized by a safety score of 75/100, which is close to the UK average of 78. The overall crime rate stands at 89.3 per 1,000 people per year, very similar to the national average of 93.1. However, the village has seen a sharp increasing trend, with a 63.6% rise in reported offences year-over-year. A property crime rate of 15.3 per 1,000 suggests that the area is safer than many regional hubs for theft and burglary. This data highlights the importance of staying informed and maintaining good security practices in this urban settlement.

Violence and sexual offences are the primary crime concern in Merlin's Bridge, accounting for a significant 60.1% of all reported incidents. Public order offences (10.6%) and other theft (6.6%) are also notable factors in the local crime landscape. Property crime, which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various thefts, occurs at a rate of 15.3 per 1,000 residents, which is less than half the UK average of 32.9. Criminal damage and arson also contribute 6.1% to the total. For residents, the relatively low rate of property crime is a positive, though the high prevalence of violence and public order offences suggests that personal safety and community vigilance remain important considerations.

Merlin's Bridge has seen a sharp increasing trend in crime, with a 63.6% rise over the last 12 months. Monthly data shows that crime rates fluctuated, with a significant peak in June 2025 at 15.3 per 1,000. Other peaks occurred in November 2024 (8.6), July 2025 (10.8), and August 2025 (8.1). The rates were notably lower in other months, with December 2024 recording a low of 2.7 per 1,000. This pattern suggests that crime in Merlin's Bridge has seen several significant spikes throughout the year.

How To Keep Safe in Merlin's Bridge

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crimes in Merlin's Bridge, representing over 60% of all reports. To stay safe, residents and visitors should consider the following advice:

1. When walking through the village at night, particularly near commercial areas or main thoroughfares, stay in well-lit zones and try to travel with others.
2. Be mindful of your surroundings in public spaces where public order offences are more common; if you feel uncomfortable, move towards a busy, well-lit area.
3. Ensure your home and outbuildings are secure, as criminal damage and burglary are also significant factors in the local crime profile, particularly during the evening and night.
4. If you witness anti-social behaviour, which accounts for 5% of local reports, report it to the authorities to help maintain the village's peaceful atmosphere.
5. Keep valuables out of sight in your vehicle, especially if parked on the street overnight, as vehicle crime risk increases during the late-night hours.

Crime in Merlin's Bridge follows a clear temporal cycle. Morning and afternoon hours are dominated by theft-related offences, which account for a significant 63-64% of reports. As evening falls, the distribution shifts toward "other" crimes, including public order and anti-social behaviour, which make up 44% of evening reports. Burglary risk is most acute during the night (24%) and evening (16%), suggesting that both empty homes and the cover of darkness are targeted. Vehicle crime also peaks significantly during the late-night hours, representing 19% of offences between midnight and 6am.

In the local context, Merlin's Bridge sits as a safer alternative to the larger urban centre of Haverfordwest, which has a much higher crime rate of 184.2. It has a similar crime profile to nearby Johnston (93.8). However, it is significantly busier from a crime perspective than surrounding rural villages like Hook (29.7) and Crundale (54.5). This suggests that while Merlin's Bridge faces some typical village-based safety challenges, it remains a relatively secure residential location compared to the region's primary urban hubs.

Merlin's Bridge's property crime rate of 15.3 per 1,000 is lower than the national average, but with a 63.6% increase in total crime, maintaining that security requires a modern approach. Traditional security systems, such as basic CCTV or doorbell cameras, are reactive; they notify you after someone has already stepped onto your porch or tried your door. scOS offers a proactive alternative by using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence to detect threats at your property boundary before a break-in occurs. It can distinguish between regular visitors and potential threats, only alerting you when necessary. Its autonomous response system, which can activate lights or audio deterrents, is designed to destroy the element of surprise that burglars rely on. For homeowners in Merlin's Bridge, especially those with properties in high-value residential areas, scOS provides a professional-grade security solution that prevents crime rather than just recording it, ensuring your property remains as safe as the village itself.