Brecon Crime Rate

Brecon Crime Overview

Brecon experiences a crime rate that is slightly above the national average, with 103.8 recorded offences per 1,000 residents, compared to the UK average of 91.6. This has resulted in a safety score of 74/100, which is just below the UK average of 79. Recent data shows that crime in Brecon is on an increasing trend, with a 26.9% rise year-over-year. Despite this, the property crime rate of 27.4 per 1,000 remains lower than the UK average of 32.2. For the 6,505 residents of Brecon, these statistics point to a town where personal safety and social conduct offences are the primary concern, but where the general increase in crime necessitates a more proactive approach to home and community security.

Crime Breakdown in Brecon

Brecon's crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 46.8% of all recorded incidents, totalling 316 crimes. This is followed by criminal damage and arson at 12.0% and public order offences at 10.7%. These figures indicate that nearly 70% of reported crime in the town is related to personal safety and social conduct.

Property crime in Brecon occurs at a rate of 27.4 per 1,000 people, which is below the UK average of 32.2. This category is led by criminal damage (12.0%), 'other theft' (4.6%), and shoplifting (4.0%). Burglary is relatively rare, occurring at a rate of 2.0 per 1,000 residents and representing only 1.9% of total crime. Although the burglary rate is low, the high prevalence of criminal damage and theft suggests that opportunistic property-related offences are a frequent issue. For residents, this means that while violent crime is the most common report, protecting the home from vandalism and opportunistic theft is a key priority for maintaining a secure and well-maintained property.

Crime Trends in Brecon

The crime trend in Brecon is currently increasing, with total recorded offences rising by 26.9% year-over-year. This is a significant upward trajectory that indicates a growing challenge for local safety and security.

Monthly data for 2025 shows that crime rates fluctuated throughout the year, with a clear peak during the summer months. The rate started at 6.2 per 1,000 people in January and reached its peak of 13.8 in August. This mid-summer peak is common in towns with significant tourism and seasonal activity. Following the summer, the rate dipped back to 6.2 in December. However, the overall trend for the year remains one of growth. This suggests that residents should be particularly vigilant during the summer months, while also acknowledging that the general risk level in the town has increased compared to previous years.

How To Keep Safe in Brecon

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types in Brecon, accounting for nearly 47% of all incidents. Given the town's higher-than-average crime rate and increasing trend, residents should take several steps to stay safe.

1. When walking in the town centre at night, stay in well-lit, busy areas and avoid isolated shortcuts or alleyways.
2. Ensure your home is fully secured with high-quality locks and visible security systems to deter opportunistic theft and criminal damage.
3. Be mindful of your surroundings when visiting busy retail areas or social venues, as public order offences and anti-social behaviour are also frequent.
4. Report any suspicious activity or recurring anti-social behaviour to the police to help manage the town's increasing crime trend.
5. If you own a vehicle, never leave valuables on display and ensure it is parked in a secure, well-lit location to mitigate the risk of vehicle crime.

Crime Patterns in Brecon

Crime in Brecon follows a clear temporal cycle, with different offences peaking at specific times of the day. Theft and shoplifting are most prevalent during daylight hours, with 40% of thefts occurring in the morning and 42% in the afternoon. This aligns with the town's commercial activity and peak shopping times.

As the day transitions into evening, the focus of criminal activity shifts significantly towards social and public order issues. The period between 6pm and 12am sees 70% of 'other' crimes, which includes anti-social behaviour and public order offences. Property crime, however, reaches its highest intensity overnight. Between 12am and 6am, burglary accounts for 13% of incidents, and vehicle crime peaks at 15%. This suggests that while the town is busy during the day, properties and vehicles are most vulnerable during the late-night hours. For residents, this highlights the necessity of robust overnight security and proactive perimeter protection to deter late-night opportunistic crime.

Regional Crime Comparison

When compared to its immediate neighbours, Brecon stands out as a high-activity hub. Its crime rate of 103.8 per 1,000 residents is more than double that of nearby Talgarth (50.3). Other neighbouring settlements like Llangors, Bronllys, and Bwlch show no recorded crime in this dataset. This suggests that Brecon experiences significantly more social and criminal issues than the quieter rural villages that surround it. For residents and those considering a move to the area, Brecon represents a more urbanised safety profile with higher risks than its immediate neighbours, making robust security a key consideration.

Proactive Security in Brecon

With an overall crime rate above the national average and a significant 26.9% increase in offences over the last year, Brecon homeowners face a changing security landscape. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV, are often reactive—they only record a crime after it has occurred. In an area like Brecon, where the increasing trend suggests more frequent opportunistic activity, preventing the crime before it happens is the only way to ensure true protection.

The scOS AI-powered home security system provides a proactive solution designed to intervene. By using multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property's perimeter in real-time, identifying suspicious individuals or unauthorized vehicles before they can reach your home. Its autonomous response system can immediately activate deterrents like high-intensity lighting and audio warnings to disrupt a criminal's intent. In Brecon, where criminal damage and theft are persistent concerns, the ability of scOS to stop a threat at the boundary provides a level of security that traditional recording systems cannot match, helping you stay ahead of local crime trends.