Powys Crime Rate April 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Powys, 6.2 crimes were reported in April 2023—17.3% below the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000. This lower-than-average rate translates to a daily risk of roughly one crime for every 160 residents over the course of the month. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (45.2% of total), followed by public order (12.7%) and anti-social behaviour (12.0%). April’s crime profile aligns with seasonal rhythms: Easter and spring weather spurred increased outdoor activity, which likely contributed to higher public order incidents. While violent crime remains the largest category, its rate (2.8 per 1,000) is 8% above the UK average, suggesting local factors—such as rural isolation or limited community policing resources—may influence patterns. In contrast, property crimes (199 total) were lower than the UK average, with burglary (0.2 per 1,000) and shoplifting (0.2 per 1,000) both 58% below national rates. This could reflect the area’s low population density, which may reduce opportunities for certain crimes, or effective local initiatives targeting property crime. The data also highlights a shift in crime mix: while violent offences dominate, the relative absence of vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) compared to the UK average (0.5 per 1,000) suggests Powys’s rural character limits opportunities for such crimes. However, the 8% above-average rate for violence and sexual offences may indicate challenges in addressing interpersonal conflict in a dispersed population.

April 2023 saw stark contrasts in crime trends. Vehicle crime surged by 200% (from 4 to 12), the most dramatic increase in any category, potentially linked to seasonal travel or unsecured rural properties. Robbery also doubled (from 1 to 2). Conversely, public order offences fell by 12.3% (from 122 to 107), possibly reflecting reduced disorder during Easter school holidays. The rise in drug-related crimes (up 53.8% to 40) highlights a growing concern, with Powys’s rate (0.3 per 1,000) 58% above the UK average (0.2 per 1,000). This discrepancy may point to local challenges in addressing substance use, though further data would be needed to confirm. Anti-social behaviour (12.0% of total crimes) was 32% below the UK average (1.2 per 1,000), suggesting community efforts or environmental factors may be mitigating such incidents. For residents, the 28 crimes reported per day provides a tangible benchmark: over 10 days, a typical Powys resident would experience a crime roughly once every 160 people. This daily figure underscores the importance of local policing strategies in maintaining the area’s comparatively low crime rate despite specific spikes in certain categories.

April’s crime rate of 6.2 per 1,000 residents marked a 3.9% decline from March’s 6.5, reflecting a slight but consistent trend toward lower crime levels. Over 30 days, this translated to 28 crimes per day—a figure that, while seemingly high, is contextualized by Powys’s population of 135,059. When scaled to the monthly exposure rate, this means one crime occurred for every 160 residents, a statistic that helps residents gauge risk in absolute terms. Compared to the UK average, Powys’s performance in property crimes stands out: burglary (33% below UK average) and shoplifting (58% below) both benefit from the area’s rural nature, which may reduce opportunities for such crimes. However, the 8% above-average rate for violence and sexual offences (2.8 per 1,000) indicates a gap in addressing interpersonal crime. This contrast highlights the complex relationship between geography and crime type, with Powys’s sparse population likely limiting property crime but not necessarily reducing violent incidents. The daily crime count (28) and monthly exposure (1-in-160) offer practical insights for residents: while the area remains safer than the UK average overall, targeted interventions may be needed to address the relatively higher rate of violent crime. These figures also emphasize the importance of local context in interpreting crime statistics, as national averages may not fully capture regional nuances.