Pembroke Dock Crime Rate December 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Pembroke Dock’s crime rate in December 2024 stood at 11.4 per 1,000 residents, placing it 60.6% above the UK average of 7.1. This stark deviation from the national picture underscores the area’s distinct crime dynamics, which are shaped by its location as a coastal town with a mix of residential, commercial, and tourist-oriented spaces. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 51.8% of all reported incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson (10.0%) and anti-social behaviour (6.4%). The seasonal context of December—marked by Christmas shopping, dark evenings, and the presence of holiday visitors—likely contributes to these patterns. For instance, the prominence of violence and sexual offences may be influenced by increased social interactions in public spaces during the festive period, while the rise in criminal damage could reflect vandalism linked to empty homes over the holidays. Conversely, the UK average for anti-social behaviour is higher than Pembroke Dock’s rate, suggesting that local factors—such as community policing or the absence of certain at-risk demographics—may temper this category. The area’s crime picture is also affected by its geography: as a built-up area within Pembrokeshire, it balances the characteristics of a small town with the infrastructure of a coastal hub, which may drive both property crime and public order issues. These dynamics highlight the need to consider both local and national contexts when interpreting crime statistics, as Pembroke Dock’s rates are not merely a reflection of the UK average but a product of its unique social and environmental landscape.

December 2024 saw sharp increases in several crime categories, including a 200% rise in possession of weapons, a 120% jump in criminal damage and arson, and a 35.7% increase in violence and sexual offences. These trends contrast with declines in shoplifting (down 61.1%) and anti-social behaviour (down 50%), possibly reflecting seasonal shifts in behaviour or targeted policing efforts. Violence and sexual offences, at 5.9 per 1,000, were 130% above the UK average—a stark outlier that may relate to the area’s mix of residential and commercial spaces during the holiday season. Meanwhile, possession of weapons at 0.3 per 1,000 was 400% above the UK average, a figure that could signal heightened tensions in specific pockets of the community. For residents, the drop in shoplifting—linked to holiday shopping patterns or increased security measures—offers a concrete example of how crime trends can fluctuate month-on-month.

Pembroke Dock's crime rate in December 2024 fell by 9.1% compared to November, dropping from 12.5 to 11.4 per 1,000 residents. This decline, though modest, suggests a slight easing of pressure on local policing resources. Locally, 4 crimes were reported per day on average, a figure that reflects the area’s compact built-up nature and limited spread of population. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 88 residents, a statistic that contextualises the monthly exposure in human terms. When compared to the UK average, Pembroke Dock’s rate remains significantly higher—60.6% above the national figure. However, the drop from November may indicate seasonal factors, such as reduced foot traffic during the Christmas holidays or temporary shifts in criminal activity patterns. The population-scaled perspective also highlights that, while the area is not immune to national crime trends, its local context—such as the presence of a harbour, tourist infrastructure, and seasonal events—shapes its unique crime profile.