Brecon Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For every 103 residents in Brecon, one reported crime occurred in September 2024. This translates to a crime rate of 9.7 per 1,000 people, placing the area 26% above the UK average of 7.7. While the overall rate reflects a combination of local factors, the distribution of crime types reveals striking patterns. Violence and sexual offences dominated with 32 incidents (51% of total crimes), far exceeding the UK average of 2.6 per 1,000. This category alone was 87% higher than national figures, suggesting a disproportionate concentration of violent incidents in Brecon. Public order offences (7 cases) and criminal damage (6 cases) also showed significant deviations, with the former 96% above the UK average and the latter 61% above. These figures align with seasonal patterns: September marks the return of students to local universities and the start of the academic year, which may contribute to increased tensions in shared spaces and public areas. The low rate of anti-social behaviour (32% below UK average) contrasts with the sharp rise in other theft (100% increase from zero to four incidents), indicating shifting dynamics in criminal activity. With 50.8% of crimes falling under violence and sexual offences, residents may perceive a heightened risk during evenings and weekends, when freshers' social events and university activities peak. The area's small-town character, combined with its proximity to larger educational institutions, likely amplifies the impact of transient populations on local crime trends. These findings underscore the need for targeted awareness campaigns and community engagement strategies to address the specific vulnerabilities highlighted by the data.

September 2024 saw a 100% increase in 'other theft' incidents, rising from zero to four cases. This surge coincides with the start of the academic term, when students and new residents may be more vulnerable to opportunistic crimes. Similarly, possession of weapons increased by 100% (from zero to two incidents), a statistic that may reflect heightened tensions among transient populations or the introduction of new criminal elements into the area. Conversely, several categories showed notable declines: drugs-related offences fell by two-thirds (from six to two), burglary dropped by two-thirds (from three to one), and shoplifting decreased by 50% (from four to two). These reductions could be attributed to the end of summer tourism or seasonal changes in criminal activity patterns. The breakdown of crimes reveals a stark contrast between Brecon and the UK average: violence and sexual offences were 87% above national levels, while anti-social behaviour was 32% below. This divergence suggests that local factors—such as the presence of educational institutions or social dynamics—may be driving specific crime trends. For residents, the most immediate concern appears to be the spike in 'other theft', which, while not as high as other categories, represents a complete reversal from the previous month's zero incidents. Understanding these shifts requires careful consideration of how temporary populations interact with the local environment during transitional periods like September.

Brecon's crime rate in September 2024 (9.7 per 1,000 residents) marked a 20.3% decrease from the previous month's rate of 12.1 per 1,000. This decline, while significant, still leaves the area with a crime rate 26% above the UK average. On a daily basis, the 63 total crimes reported over 30 days equate to roughly two incidents per day—a figure that may seem high but must be contextualised within the area's population of 6,505. When viewed through the lens of monthly exposure, this translates to one reported crime for every 103 residents over the course of the month. This statistic, while not daily, provides a broader picture of the risk residents face. The population-scaled perspective is particularly revealing: if Brecon's crime rate remained constant, an individual would have a 1 in 103 chance of experiencing a reported crime within a single month. This is higher than the UK average, which would translate to a lower monthly exposure rate. The decline from August to September may reflect seasonal factors, such as the end of summer tourism or the reduction in transient populations. However, the persistence of high rates in specific categories—particularly violence and sexual offences—suggests that underlying issues may not be fully resolved. Residents should remain vigilant, especially in areas with high foot traffic or during events associated with the academic calendar.