Powys Crime Rate October 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Powys recorded a crime rate of 6.0 per 1,000 residents in October 2024, placing it 25.9% below the UK average of 8.1. This figure, though lower than the national benchmark, reflects a mix of crime types shaped by the area’s geographical and seasonal context. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 47.5% of all incidents, with a rate of 2.8 per 1,000 — just 5% above the UK average. This may be consistent with the presence of smaller towns and rural communities where interpersonal disputes are more likely to escalate. Criminal damage and arson followed closely, making up 10.1% of crimes, though its rate (0.6 per 1,000) was 2% above the UK average. The seasonal transition in October, marked by shorter days and the approach of Halloween, may have contributed to an uptick in anti-social behaviour, though this category was 53% below the UK rate. The area’s low population density and rural nature likely explain the significant underperformance in categories like shoplifting (72% below UK average) and vehicle crime (79% below), where urban environments typically see higher rates. The overall picture suggests that Powys’ crime profile is characterised by a balance between relatively high levels of violent crime and markedly lower property-related offences, reflecting the challenges and opportunities inherent in managing crime in a sparsely populated region.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift in October 2024 was a 400% increase in bicycle theft, rising from 1 to 5 reported incidents. This spike, while small in absolute terms, may partly reflect the transition to darker evenings in October, which could impact visibility for cyclists. Other crime also rose sharply by 107%, from 14 to 29 cases, suggesting a broader uptick in non-specific criminal activity. Conversely, robbery fell by 50% (from 2 to 1), and possession of weapons dropped by the same margin (from 10 to 5), indicating a temporary reduction in violent incidents. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 47.5% of all crimes, though their rate (2.8 per 1,000) was just 5% above the UK average. Anti-social behaviour, meanwhile, was 53% below the UK rate, a stark contrast that may reflect Powys’ relatively rural character and lower population density.

The crime rate in Powys rose by 9.6% in October 2024 compared to the previous month, moving from 5.4 to 6.0 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, reflects shifting patterns in local crime dynamics. On a daily basis, 26 crimes were reported in October, averaging roughly one crime every 168 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure contextualises the rate for residents, showing that while Powys remains significantly safer than the UK average, the pace of crime has accelerated slightly in recent weeks. The population-scaled perspective highlights that the number of crimes reported is manageable relative to the size of the district, though the rise from September deserves closer attention to emerging trends in specific categories. The daily crime count does not suggest an overwhelming surge, but the distribution of crime types may signal areas for targeted local policing or community engagement.