Hay-on-Wye Crime Rate

Hay-on-Wye is a safe and secure urban settlement, as evidenced by its high safety score of 85/100. The area's overall crime rate of 55.6 per 1,000 people is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.7, indicating a lower risk for residents compared to many other parts of the country. However, recent data shows that the crime trend is increasing, with a 43.9% rise year-over-year, which suggests a recent uptick in local activity. Property crime is notably low, at a rate of 10.6 per 1,000 compared to the national average of 32.3. This overview establishes Hay-on-Wye as a high-safety area that is currently experiencing a period of growth in reported incidents, while remaining a secure place to live.

Crime in Hay-on-Wye

Hay-on-Wye's crime profile is dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 52 reported incidents, or 54.7% of the total. The next most frequent categories are anti-social behaviour (11.6%) and criminal damage and arson (8.4%). These top three crime types represent the primary focus for local law enforcement.

Property crime in Hay-on-Wye—including burglary, robbery, theft, criminal damage, and vehicle crime—carries a rate of 10.6 per 1,000 people. This is remarkably low compared to the UK average of 32.3, indicating a high level of security for local assets. Within this category, criminal damage is the most common issue, while burglary and 'other theft' each account for 3.2% of total crime. Vehicle crime and bicycle theft are also present but very rare, each representing around 1.1% of the total. For residents and business owners, this data is encouraging, suggesting that the risk of serious property intrusion or theft is minimal. The main focus for security should be on deterring anti-social behaviour and opportunistic criminal damage.

Crime Trends in Hay-on-Wye

The crime trend in Hay-on-Wye is currently on an upward trajectory, with a significant 43.9% increase in total reported incidents over the last year. This rise suggests that the area has become more active recently. Analysis of the monthly data reveals some clear peaks in activity.

The most active months were December 2024, January 2025, July 2025, and August 2025, all of which saw a crime rate of 6.4 per 1,000. Other months, such as March, May, September, and November, also showed rates above 4.5. In contrast, February and June 2025 were exceptionally quiet, both with a rate of only 1.2. This variability indicates that while the overall trend is increasing, criminal activity in Hay-on-Wye fluctuates significantly from month to month, with higher activity during the summer and winter peaks. Despite the increasing trend, Hay-on-Wye's overall safety score of 85/100 remains high, reflecting its status as a generally secure place to live.

How To Keep Safe in Hay-on-Wye

The most common crime in Hay-on-Wye is violence and sexual offences, accounting for 54.7% of all incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour at 11.6%. While the area is generally very safe, taking practical steps to ensure personal and property security is always recommended.

For personal safety, stay aware of your surroundings when out in public, particularly during the evening. If you are walking alone, stick to well-lit routes and avoid isolated areas. Given the rate of anti-social behaviour, it is also wise to ensure that your property's exterior is well-maintained and that gates or outbuildings are securely locked. Well-lit exteriors can also act as a deterrent to opportunistic activity.

Community awareness is key to maintaining Hay-on-Wye's safety score of 85/100. Reporting any suspicious activity or anti-social behaviour to the local police helps keep the neighbourhood secure. Joining a local neighbourhood watch group can also be an effective way to stay informed about local issues and collaborate with neighbours to prevent crime. By staying vigilant and looking out for one another, residents can help ensure that Hay-on-Wye remains a safe place to live despite the recent increase in reported incidents.

Crime Timing in Hay-on-Wye

Crime in Hay-on-Wye displays clear temporal shifts, with different offences peaking at different times of the day. During the daylight hours, theft is a major factor, accounting for 35% of crimes in both the morning (6am-12pm) and the afternoon (12pm-6pm). This suggests that theft-related activity is most common when the community and its many visitors are most active.

As the day transitions into night, the risk of burglary and vehicle crime increases. Burglary rises from 16% in the morning to 25% in the afternoon, and peaks at 29% during the night-time hours (12am-6am). Vehicle crime also reaches its highest point at night, accounting for 15% of reported incidents. Evening hours (6pm-12am) are dominated by 'other' crimes, including public order and anti-social behaviour, which make up 60% of reports. For residents, these patterns highlight the importance of robust overnight security and being vigilant against opportunistic theft and burglary during the day when properties may be unoccupied.

Hay-on-Wye (55.6) is the most active settlement in its immediate vicinity. Nearby rural areas such as Clyro, Llanigon, Three Cocks, and Dorstone all reported zero crimes in the same data period, reflecting their very quiet nature. While Hay-on-Wye has a higher crime rate than these surrounding villages, it remains a very safe location when compared to larger regional hubs or the UK national average. For those seeking a built-up area with its famous bookshops and amenities while still maintaining a high level of security, Hay-on-Wye offers a safe and attractive environment within the Powys local authority.

Hay-on-Wye's property crime rate of 10.6 per 1,000 is much lower than the UK average, but with the overall crime rate increasing by 43.9%, homeowners should look beyond basic security. Traditional CCTV systems are reactive; they provide footage of a crime after it has occurred, which is often too late to prevent loss or damage.

Proactive protection, such as that offered by scOS, changes the dynamic by focusing on prevention. Using AI-powered multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property's boundary and can distinguish between normal activity and a genuine threat. If an intruder is detected, the system can autonomously respond with lights and audio alerts, destroying the element of surprise. In Hay-on-Wye, where burglary risk is highest at night (29% of night-time crime) and in the afternoon (25%), having a system that actively intervenes provides a level of security that traditional cameras cannot match. Professional-grade security not only protects your property but also serves as a powerful visible deterrent to any potential criminals.