Brecon Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Brecon’s crime rate in January 2024 stood at 4.8 per 1,000 residents, placing the built-up area 35.1% below the UK average of 7.4. This figure underscores Brecon’s position as a relatively safe locality, though the data reveals nuanced patterns within the crime mix. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 51.6% of all incidents (16 cases), making them the most prevalent category, followed by anti-social behaviour (29.0%) and public order offences (9.7%). These figures contrast with the UK averages for specific categories: violence and sexual offences in Brecon were 4% below the national average, while anti-social behaviour was 41% higher. The seasonal context of January—post-holiday period, reduced retail footfall, and shorter days—likely contributes to the lower overall crime rate, as fewer outdoor activities and reduced commercial traffic may dampen opportunities for property crimes. However, the prominence of violent offences, despite the monthly decline, raises questions about local factors such as community tensions or the impact of transient populations. Anti-social behaviour’s elevated rate relative to the UK average may reflect the built-up area’s characteristics, including higher population density or the influence of nearby urban centres in Powys. The data also highlights a significant divergence in specific categories: while drugs offences were 43% below the UK average, public order offences surged by 100% from December. These shifts warrant further analysis to understand whether they signal temporary fluctuations or more sustained trends, particularly as the area navigates the transition from holiday periods to the quieter rhythms of winter.

January 2024 saw a 100% increase in public order offences, rising from 0 to 3 incidents—a stark contrast to the previous month’s total of 0. This surge, though small in absolute terms, suggests a shift in community dynamics or local enforcement priorities. Meanwhile, violent crimes dropped by 33.3% compared to December, with 16 incidents recorded, down from 24. This decrease aligns with broader seasonal trends, as post-holiday periods typically see reduced retail activity and fewer outdoor interactions that might contribute to violent incidents. Anti-social behaviour, however, remained a concern, with 9 incidents reported—41% above the UK average of 1.0 per 1,000. This discrepancy may reflect local factors such as the built-up area’s density or specific community tensions. The 1 crime per day figure offers residents a concrete benchmark for assessing local safety, illustrating that the vast majority of Brecon’s population experiences no direct involvement in criminal incidents during any given day.

Brecon's crime rate in January 2024 fell by 43.6% compared to December 2023's rate of 8.5 per 1,000 residents, reflecting a marked shift in local crime dynamics. This decline contrasts with the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, positioning Brecon as one of the safer areas nationally. On a daily basis, 1 crime was reported in Brecon over the 31 days of January, a figure that translates to roughly one incident for every 210 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate highlights the relatively low frequency of crime in the area, even when compared to broader UK trends. With a population of 6,505, Brecon's crime statistics suggest a community where incidents are infrequent enough to be noticeable but not pervasive. The shift from December’s higher rate may reflect seasonal patterns, with January’s shorter days and reduced retail activity likely contributing to lower levels of property crime and public order offences. However, the persistent presence of violent crimes at 16 incidents—despite a 33.3% monthly decline—indicates that certain challenges remain, particularly in addressing anti-social behaviour and public order issues that have shown upward trends.