Milford Haven Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Milford Haven's crime profile in August 2023, with a rate of 4.5 per 1,000 residents—70% above the UK average. This stark outlier contrasts with the area's overall crime rate of 9.4 per 1,000, which itself sits 16% higher than the national average. The breakdown reveals a disproportionate focus on violent crime, accounting for nearly half (47.7%) of all reported incidents, compared to property crimes which made up 26.4% of the total. Anti-social behaviour and criminal damage also significantly exceeded UK averages, with anti-social behaviour at 1.5 per 1,000 (4% above national) and criminal damage at 1.1 per 1,000 (75% above). These patterns align with August's seasonal context as a peak holiday month, when transient populations and increased foot traffic may strain local resources. The town's position as a coastal hub with a mix of residential and commercial zones likely amplifies tensions in public spaces, though the absence of a notable rise in vehicle crime or theft from the person suggests that targeted policing or community engagement efforts may have mitigated certain risks. The data highlights a combination of seasonal pressures and the area's demographic profile, with tourism-driven activity contributing to the elevated levels of violence and disorder.

August 2023 saw significant month-on-month fluctuations in specific crime categories. Criminal damage and arson surged by 125% (from 8 to 18 incidents), marking the largest increase among all categories. This rise may be linked to August's status as a peak holiday month, when empty homes and increased foot traffic could heighten opportunities for such offences. Conversely, shoplifting fell by 37.5% (from 8 to 5 incidents), reflecting successful retail security measures or a seasonal shift in criminal activity. Violence and sexual offences, while still elevated, decreased by 23.7% compared to the previous month—though they remain 70% above the UK average. This category's dominance (47.7% of all crimes) underscores a persistent challenge for local authorities, with the rate of 4.5 per 1,000 far outpacing the UK's 2.6 per 1,000. The most notable UK comparison lies in theft from the person, which was 54% above the national average (0.2 vs 0.1 per 1,000). Residents may find the 54% deficit in vehicle crime (39% below UK average) particularly relevant, as this suggests local initiatives or infrastructure (such as secure parking) may be effectively reducing this category. The sharp 200% increase in 'other crime' (from 1 to 3 incidents) highlights the need for more granular data to identify emerging trends.

Milford Haven's crime rate in August 2023 dropped 10.4% compared to July's 10.5 per 1,000, reflecting a slight but notable improvement. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 106 residents, illustrating the monthly exposure risk for local households. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 5 crimes per day—though this figure should be contextualised within Milford Haven's unique demographic and geographic profile. The 16% gap between the area's rate and the UK average (8.1 per 1,000) remains significant, particularly given the localised concentration of violent crime. Population-scale comparisons reveal that the area's crime burden is felt by its residents, with the 9.4 per 1,000 rate translating to a higher-than-average risk per capita. This is especially evident in the violent crime category, which is 70% above the UK average. The contrast with categories like burglary (12% below UK average) and vehicle crime (39% below) suggests that while certain aspects of crime management are effective, the focus on reducing violence and disorder remains a critical priority. The month-on-month decrease offers a glimmer of progress, but the persistent gap from the national average indicates the need for sustained efforts in addressing the root causes of the area's elevated violent crime rates.