Rhayader Crime Rate

Rhayader Crime Overview

Rhayader currently experiences a crime rate that is slightly above the national average, with 94.5 recorded offences per 1,000 residents, compared to the UK average of 91.6. This has resulted in a safety score of 76/100, which is just below the UK average of 79. Recent data shows that crime in Rhayader is on a significant upward trend, with a 65.5% rise in total offences year-over-year. Despite this sharp increase, the property crime rate remains low at 20.2 per 1,000 people, compared to the UK average of 32.2. For the 2,085 residents of Rhayader, these statistics point to a town where personal safety and social conduct offences are the primary concern, but where the dramatic increase in crime necessitates a more proactive approach to home and community security.

Crime Breakdown in Rhayader

Rhayader's crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 47.7% of all recorded incidents, totalling 94 crimes. This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 14.7% and criminal damage and arson at 9.6%. These figures indicate that nearly 75% of reported crime in the town is related to personal safety and social conduct.

Property crime in Rhayader occurs at a rate of 20.2 per 1,000 people, which is notably lower than the UK average of 32.2. This category is led by criminal damage (9.6% of total crime), 'other theft' (6.1%), and burglary (3.0%). Burglary occurs at a rate of 2.9 per 1,000 residents, which is relatively low by national standards. Although property theft is not the most frequent report, the combined impact of criminal damage and theft suggests that opportunistic property-related offences are a consistent concern. For residents, this means that while violent crime is the most common report, protecting the home from vandalism and maintaining a secure environment is still important for peace of mind. Overall, Rhayader remains a relatively safe settlement.

Crime Trends in Rhayader

The crime trend in Rhayader is currently increasing significantly, with total recorded offences rising by 65.5% year-over-year. This sharp upward trajectory is a major concern for the town, indicating a significant shift in the local security environment.

Monthly data for 2025 shows that crime rates fluctuated throughout the year. The rate started at 7.2 per 1,000 people in January and reached its peak of 12.5 in July. This significant mid-summer peak is common in towns with seasonal activity and major local events. Following the summer, the rate declined to 4.8 in December. Although the rates dropped towards the end of the year, the overall trend for the year remains one of massive growth compared to previous periods. This suggests that residents should be particularly vigilant during the summer months, while also acknowledging that the general risk level in the town has increased substantially.

How To Keep Safe in Rhayader

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types in Rhayader, accounting for nearly 48% of all reported incidents. Although the town is relatively safe, maintaining personal and community awareness is essential.

1. When in the town centre during the evening, stay in well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings, especially near social venues.
2. Ensure your home is fully secured with high-quality locks and visible security systems to deter opportunistic vandalism and criminal damage.
3. Given the high percentage of violence and sexual offences, which often occur in domestic settings, support local community safety initiatives and look out for vulnerable neighbours.
4. Report any suspicious activity or recurring anti-social behaviour to the police to help manage the town's increasing crime trend.
5. Always secure your vehicle and remove any valuables from sight, as vehicle crime peaks significantly during the overnight hours in Rhayader.

Crime Patterns in Rhayader

Crime in Rhayader follows a clear temporal cycle, with different offences peaking at specific times of the day. Theft is most common during daylight hours, with 43% of thefts occurring in the morning and 46% in the afternoon. This aligns with the town's peak commercial activity and footfall.

As evening approaches, the nature of crime shifts heavily towards social-related offences. The period between 6pm and 12am sees a significant 60% of 'other' crimes, which includes anti-social behaviour and public order offences. Property crime, however, reaches its highest intensity overnight. Between 12am and 6am, burglary accounts for 26% of incidents, and vehicle crime peaks at 13%. This indicates that while the town is busy during the day, properties and vehicles are most at risk during the late-night hours. For residents, this highlights the necessity of robust overnight security and proactive perimeter protection to deter late-night opportunistic activity.

Regional Crime Comparison

When compared to its immediate neighbours, Rhayader remains a safe choice. Its crime rate of 94.5 per 1,000 residents is much lower than nearby Llandrindod Wells (189.3). Other neighbouring settlements like Llanyre, Newbridge-on-Wye, and Crossgates show no recorded crime in this dataset. This highlights that while Rhayader has seen an increase in activity, it is still significantly more secure than the larger nearby town of Llandrindod Wells. For residents and those considering a move to the area, Rhayader represents a relatively safe environment that compares favourably to its immediate urban neighbour and the wider national landscape.

Proactive Security in Rhayader

While Rhayader enjoys a low property crime rate of 20.2 per 1,000 residents, the 65.5% increase in overall crime is a clear signal for homeowners to review their security. Traditional reactive security—like standard CCTV that only records a crime—is often less effective because by the time you see the footage, the event has already passed. For true peace of mind, proactive prevention is the only real solution.

The scOS AI-powered home security system is designed to stop crime before it happens. By monitoring your property's perimeter in real-time, scOS uses intelligent multi-camera analysis to identify potential threats, such as unauthorized vehicles or suspicious movement, long before a break-in is attempted. Its autonomous response system can activate lights and audio alerts to deter criminals immediately. For residents in Rhayader, where the trend in crime is rising rapidly, the ability of scOS to intervene and prevent a crime autonomously is an invaluable asset for protecting your home and family, ensuring you remain part of the town's safety statistics.