Powys Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 135,059, Powys recorded 795 crimes in May 2024, equating to a crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000 residents. This figure is 29.8% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000, marking one of the lowest rates in the country. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (48.8% of total), followed by public order (10.2%) and criminal damage and arson (9.2%). These patterns align with Powys’ rural character, where community cohesion may partly explain lower overall crime rates. However, the sharp rise in violence and sexual offences contrasts with the usual seasonal trends, as May’s longer evenings and bank holidays could have increased social interactions in public spaces, contributing to higher incidents. Public order offences, though lower than the UK average, may reflect localized tensions during peak social periods. The relatively low rates of burglary (5.0%) and shoplifting (4.9%) further suggest that rural areas with fewer commercial hubs experience fewer property crimes compared to urban centres. This data highlights the combination of geography, population density, and seasonal factors in shaping crime profiles.

May 2024 saw a dramatic 4750% increase in violence and sexual offences, rising from 8 to 388 cases—a surge far exceeding typical seasonal fluctuations. This spike, coupled with a 1900% rise in 'other crime' (from 1 to 20) and a 1520% increase in public order offences (from 5 to 81), indicates a significant shift in crime dynamics. These changes may be linked to May’s extended daylight hours and bank holidays, which could have altered patterns of public behaviour. Anti-social behaviour fell by 23.4% (from 64 to 49), a decline consistent with Powys’ generally lower levels of such incidents compared to the UK average. The category of 'other crime'—which includes a wide range of minor offences—jumped to 20 cases, a 1900% increase that warrants closer examination. Meanwhile, Powys’ public order rate (0.6 per 1,000) remains 5% below the UK average, suggesting effective local policing strategies in managing disturbances. The sharp contrast between rising violence and falling anti-social behaviour highlights the need for targeted interventions in specific crime categories.

Powys’ crime rate in May 2024 (5.9 per 1,000) represents a 915.5% increase from the previous month’s rate of 0.6 per 1,000—a stark anomaly in the data. On a daily basis, this translates to roughly 26 crimes per day, a figure that, while low in absolute terms, reflects the abrupt rise in violent and public order offences. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 170 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is lower than many urban areas but higher than the average for similarly sized rural districts. This 29.8% gap between Powys’ rate and the UK average (8.4 per 1,000) underscores the area’s unique crime profile, where property crimes are significantly underrepresented compared to the national trend. For instance, Powys’ burglary rate (0.3 per 1,000) is 3% below the UK average, while vehicle crime (0.1 per 1,000) is 79% lower. These disparities may be attributed to Powys’ sparse population and limited commercial activity, which reduce opportunities for property-related crimes. However, the dramatic rise in violence-related offences raises questions about whether temporary factors—such as the timing of local events or changes in policing focus—may have influenced the data.