Brecon Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

December 2025 saw Brecon's overall crime rate drop to 6.2 per 1,000 residents, 11.4% below the UK average of 7.0. This decline, despite the festive season's usual spikes in certain crime types, reflects the area's inherently low crime profile. Violent crimes remained the most common category, accounting for 45% of all incidents, followed by criminal damage and arson at 22.5%. The seasonal context of December—characterised by dark evenings, empty homes over the holidays, and reduced retail foot traffic—likely contributed to some of these patterns. While violent crime rates were 9% above the UK average, property-related offences fell below national levels, with other theft and vehicle crime both 42% and 19% below UK averages respectively. This divergence may be attributed to Brecon's status as a small, rural built-up area within Powys, where limited commercial activity and sparse population density reduce opportunities for certain crimes. The rise in criminal damage and arson, however, stands out as a significant anomaly, potentially linked to the increased prevalence of unoccupied properties during the holiday period. Overall, the data illustrates a combination of seasonal factors and the area's unique geographic and demographic characteristics, with the 23% month-on-month decline underscoring a broader trend towards safety in Brecon.

December 2025 marked a sharp rise in robbery, with one incident reported—double the November figure. This increase, though isolated, contrasts with the 75% drop in public order offences, likely linked to reduced foot traffic during the festive season. Violent crimes remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 45% of all incidents, and were 9% above the UK average. Criminal damage and arson rates surged 169% above the national average, a stark anomaly that may reflect the impact of empty homes during the holiday period. Meanwhile, other theft and vehicle crime fell below UK levels, suggesting that Brecon's lower population density and rural character may contribute to fewer property-related incidents. The 100% increase in robbery, though a single incident, warrants attention given the area's typically low violent crime profile.

Brecon's crime rate in December 2025 fell by 23% compared to the previous month, dropping from 8.0 to 6.2 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with the seasonal pattern of reduced outdoor activity during winter evenings. below the UK average. On a daily basis, the 40 reported crimes over 31 days translate to roughly one crime per day, a figure that reflects the sparse population density typical of rural Wales. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 163 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than the UK average for similar-sized communities. This suggests that while Brecon experiences crime, its overall risk profile remains distinct from larger urban centres, where higher population densities often correlate with more frequent incidents. The shift in crime mix—particularly the drop in public order offences and rise in violent crimes—may partly reflect the unique social dynamics of a small town during the festive season, where isolated incidents can have a disproportionate impact on statistics.