Powys Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Powys' crime rate in February 2024 stood at 0.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it 93% below the UK average of 7.1 per 1,000. This exceptionally low rate underscores the area's status as one of the safest in the country, with anti-social behaviour accounting for 57.8% of all reported crimes. While violence and sexual offences (18.3% of total) and public order incidents (5.6%) remain the next most common categories, both are significantly below their respective UK averages. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity—likely contributes to these figures, as does the area's largely rural character, which typically sees fewer opportunities for property crimes. The breakdown shows a marked contrast to urban centres, where retail theft and vehicle crime are more prevalent. Anti-social behaviour, though the most frequent category, remains 71% below the UK average, suggesting effective community policing or low population density as potential factors. The overall rate is also consistent with historical trends for Powys, which has consistently maintained lower crime levels compared to national averages. This month's data highlights the area's ability to maintain safety through a combination of geographic factors, seasonal patterns, and possibly targeted interventions, though no explicit programmes are referenced in the data.

February 2024 saw a dramatic 90.4% reduction in violence and sexual offences, from 135 incidents in the prior month to just 13. This decline, combined with an 80% drop in criminal damage and arson, suggests a significant shift in crime patterns. While anti-social behaviour remained the most prevalent category (57.8% of all crimes), it was 71% below the UK average of 1.1 per 1,000. Shoplifting fell 80% to 1 incident from 5 in January, a change consistent with the pre-spring lull typical of winter months in a rural area. Conversely, 'other crime' increased by 200% to 3 incidents, though this remains a small proportion of the total. The sharp drop in violent crime likely reflects reduced social gatherings during colder weather, while the rise in 'other crime' may indicate underreported or less visible incidents.

Powys' crime rate in February 2024 dropped sharply to 0.5 per 1,000 residents, a 71.2% decrease from the previous month's rate of 1.8 per 1,000. This reduction positions the area as one of the safest in the UK, with a rate 93% below the national average. On a daily basis, the local figure of approximately 2 crimes per day contrasts with the UK's much higher totals, though no direct comparison is available for daily rates nationally. Over the course of February, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 1902 residents, reflecting the area's low population density and sparse criminal activity. This monthly exposure figure, while seemingly low, must be contextualised against Powys' total population of 135,059, where the vast majority of residents experience no direct involvement with crime. The drop from January's rate aligns with seasonal patterns, as winter months typically see reduced outdoor activity and fewer opportunities for certain types of crime in a largely rural area.