Powys Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Powys’ crime rate in August 2023 stood at 5.8 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 28.4% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This performance reflects a consistently safer environment compared to the national picture, with the exception of public order offences, which slightly exceeded the UK rate. Violence and sexual offences accounted for the largest share of crimes (45.3%), followed by anti-social behaviour (15.1%) and public order offences (11.4%). These figures align with the area’s rural character, where violent crime often stems from interpersonal disputes in smaller communities, while anti-social behaviour may be linked to the spread of population across less densely populated regions. The seasonal context of August—peak holiday season—likely influenced certain patterns, including the slight rise in public order offences and the 27.8% increase in burglary, which may be attributed to the increased number of unoccupied homes during the summer. Despite these factors, Powys’ overall crime rate remains significantly below the UK average, a trend that may be explained by the area’s lower population density and the absence of major urban centres that typically drive higher rates of property and violent crime. The relatively low rates of shoplifting (67% below UK average) and vehicle crime (80% below UK average) further reinforce the idea that rural environments with limited commercial activity and fewer vehicles in public spaces contribute to lower rates of these specific offences.

August 2023 saw a 61.1% increase in drug-related crimes, with the category rising from 18 to 29 incidents—a jump that brought Powys’ rate in line with the UK average of 0.2 per 1,000. This shift contrasts with other significant declines, including an 80% drop in theft from the person, which fell from five to one incident. The month also marked a 27.8% increase in burglary, with 23 reported cases, a rise that may reflect seasonal factors such as the increased presence of empty homes during the summer holiday period. Public order offences stood out as the only category exceeding the UK average, with a rate of 0.7 per 1,000 compared to the national 0.6. This anomaly could be linked to the high volume of tourists in the area during August, a peak holiday month. Meanwhile, vehicle crime dropped by 80% compared to the UK average, a trend consistent with Powys’ rural landscape, where fewer vehicles are concentrated in urban centres. These shifts highlight the interplay between local geography, seasonal activity, and specific crime trends.

Powys' crime rate in August 2023 rose slightly to 5.8 per 1,000 residents from 5.6 per 1,000 in July, a 4.7% increase. This small uptick contrasts with the area’s consistent performance below the UK average, which remains 28.4% lower than the national rate of 8.1. On a daily basis, Powys recorded approximately 25 crimes per day in August, a figure that aligns with the area’s generally low crime profile. When scaled to the population, this translates to one reported crime for every 171 residents over the course of the month—a statistic that underscores the relatively low frequency of criminal activity compared to more densely populated regions. The population context further highlights that Powys’ 135,059 residents face a markedly lower risk of encountering crime than the UK average, with the exception of public order offences, which slightly exceed the national rate. This contrast between overall safety and specific category anomalies illustrates the nuanced nature of local crime patterns, shaped by Powys’ rural character and seasonal dynamics.