Builth Wells Crime Rate

Builth Wells Crime Overview

Builth Wells is a safe and secure town, boasting a high safety score of 80/100, which is better than the UK average of 79. The overall crime rate stands at 78.0 per 1,000 residents, notably lower than the national average of 91.6. However, it is important to note that crime in the town is currently on an increasing trend, with a 21.0% rise in total offences year-over-year. Despite this increase, the property crime rate remains low at 22.6 per 1,000 people, compared to the UK average of 32.2. For the 2,435 residents of Builth Wells, the town offers a high quality of life with relatively low risk, though the recent upward trend in crime suggests a need for continued awareness and proactive security measures.

Crime Breakdown in Builth Wells

Builth Wells experiences a crime landscape dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 48.4% of all recorded incidents, totalling 92 crimes. This is followed by criminal damage and arson at 10.5% and anti-social behaviour at 10.0%. These figures indicate that nearly 70% of reported crime in the town is related to personal safety and social conduct.

Property crime in Builth Wells occurs at a rate of 22.6 per 1,000 people, which is notably lower than the UK average of 32.2. This category is led by shoplifting (7.4% of total crime), criminal damage (10.5%), and burglary (4.2%). Burglary occurs at a rate of 3.3 per 1,000 residents, which is relatively low by national standards. Although property theft is not the most frequent report, the combined impact of shoplifting and criminal damage suggests that opportunistic property-related offences are a consistent concern. For residents, this means that while violent crime is the most common report, protecting the home from vandalism and maintaining a secure environment is still important for peace of mind. Overall, Builth Wells remains a relatively safe settlement.

Crime Trends in Builth Wells

The crime trend in Builth Wells is currently increasing, with total recorded offences rising by 21.0% year-over-year. This upward trajectory indicates a shift in the local security environment, although the overall crime volume remains relatively low.

Monthly data for 2025 shows that crime rates fluctuated throughout the year. The rate started at 7.0 per 1,000 people in January and reached its peak of 18.9 in July. This significant mid-summer spike is very common in Builth Wells, likely driven by major local events and seasonal tourism. Following the summer, the rate declined to 2.9 in December. Although the rates dropped towards the end of the year, the overall trend for the year remains one of growth compared to previous periods. This suggests that residents should be particularly vigilant during the busy summer months, while also acknowledging that the general risk level in the town has increased.

How To Keep Safe in Builth Wells

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types in Builth Wells, accounting for nearly 49% of all reported incidents. Although the town is generally very safe, maintaining personal and community awareness is essential.

1. When in the town centre during the evening, stay in well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings, especially near social venues.
2. Ensure your home is fully secured with high-quality locks and visible security systems to deter opportunistic vandalism and criminal damage.
3. Given the high percentage of violence and sexual offences, which often occur in domestic settings, support local community safety initiatives and look out for vulnerable neighbours.
4. Report any suspicious activity or recurring anti-social behaviour to the police to help manage the town's increasing crime trend.
5. Always secure outbuildings and garages, as these can be targets for opportunistic theft, even in areas with low overall property crime.

Crime Patterns in Builth Wells

Crime in Builth Wells follows a distinct temporal pattern, with different offences peaking at specific times of the day. Theft and shoplifting are most common during daylight hours, with 35% of thefts occurring in the morning and 36% in the afternoon. This aligns with the town's peak commercial activity and footfall.

As evening approaches, the nature of crime shifts heavily towards social-related offences. The period between 6pm and 12am sees a significant 58% 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 25% of incidents, and vehicle crime peaks at 23%. This indicates that while the town is busy during the day, properties and vehicles are most at risk during the late-night hours. For residents, this highlights the need for robust overnight security and proactive perimeter protection to deter late-night opportunistic activity.

Regional Crime Comparison

When compared to its immediate neighbours, Builth Wells remains a safe choice. Its crime rate of 78.0 per 1,000 residents is much lower than nearby Llandrindod Wells (189.3). Other neighbouring settlements like Llanelwedd and Newbridge-on-Wye show no recorded crime in this dataset. This highlights that while Builth Wells has seen an increase in activity, it is still significantly more secure than the larger nearby towns. For residents and those considering a move to the area, Builth Wells represents a high-safety environment that compares favourably to both its immediate urban neighbours and the wider national landscape.

Proactive Security in Builth Wells

While Builth Wells enjoys a low property crime rate of 22.6 per 1,000 residents, the 21.0% increase in overall crime is a clear signal for homeowners to review their security. Traditional reactive security—like standard CCTV that only records a crime—is often less effective because by the time you see the footage, the event has already passed. For true peace of mind, proactive prevention is the only real solution.

The scOS AI-powered home security system is designed to stop crime before it happens. By monitoring your property's perimeter in real-time, scOS uses intelligent multi-camera analysis to identify potential threats, such as unauthorized vehicles or suspicious movement, long before a break-in is attempted. Its autonomous response system can activate lights and audio alerts to deter criminals immediately. For residents in Builth Wells, where the trend in crime is rising, the ability of scOS to intervene and prevent a crime autonomously is an invaluable asset for protecting your home and family, ensuring you remain part of the town's high safety statistics.