Welshpool Crime Rate November 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Welshpool’s crime rate in November 2023 stood at 13.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it 80% above the UK average of 7.5. This stark contrast underscores the area’s unique position as a built-up district within the largely rural county of Powys, where concentrated crime in urban pockets may appear more pronounced than in broader regional contexts. The most prevalent crime type was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 37.4% of all incidents, with a rate of 5.0 per 1,000 residents — 93% above the UK average for this category. Public order crimes followed closely, contributing 29.7% of the total and reaching a rate of 4.0 per 1,000 residents, 655% above the UK average. These figures suggest a significant imbalance in local crime patterns, with violent and public disorder offences dominating the landscape. The seasonal context of November — marked by Bonfire Night, Black Friday shopping, and shorter daylight hours — likely contributed to these trends. For instance, the 200% increase in public order crimes may be tied to the concentrated gatherings of people in public spaces during the month, while the 350% surge in criminal damage and arson could be linked to the increased use of outdoor areas in the dark evenings. Despite these challenges, the 22.2% decline in anti-social behaviour offers a glimmer of progress, reflecting community-driven efforts or the timing of local initiatives. The data also highlights the importance of understanding local dynamics, as the area’s small population and tight-knit community may amplify the visibility of crime, even when absolute numbers are relatively modest. This interplay between local context and broader regional trends necessitates a nuanced approach to addressing crime in Welshpool, balancing immediate interventions with long-term strategies that account for the area’s unique characteristics.

A notable decrease in anti-social behaviour saw incidents drop by 22.2%, from nine to seven, marking one of the few categories showing a reduction in November 2023. This decline may be attributed to increased community engagement or the timing of local initiatives, though further analysis is needed to confirm. Concurrently, public order crimes surged by 200%, rising from nine to 27 incidents, likely influenced by the timing of Bonfire Night and the heightened presence of crowds in public spaces. Criminal damage and arson also saw a sharp increase of 350%, escalating from two to nine incidents — a figure that may be linked to the darker evenings and the increased use of open spaces during the month. Other crime, which had not been reported in the prior month, rose by 100% to three incidents, suggesting emerging patterns that could signal broader challenges. These shifts in crime mix highlight the need for targeted interventions, particularly in areas experiencing spikes in public disorder and property-related offences. The surge in public order crimes, for instance, aligns with the timing of Bonfire Night, a known catalyst for temporary spikes in such incidents. Meanwhile, the absence of reported vehicle crime — a category typically influenced by commuter traffic — suggests a potential anomaly in the data or a seasonal dip in related offences.

Welshpool’s crime rate in November 2023 rose to 13.5 per 1,000 residents, a 46.8% increase from the previous month’s rate of 9.2. This surge, while significant, is contextualised by the area’s relatively small population of 6,751, where even a modest number of crimes can feel more pronounced. On a daily basis, the area experiences approximately three reported crimes per day — a figure that, while localised, reflects the intensity of criminal activity in a built-up area within Powys, a largely rural region. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 74 residents, a monthly exposure rate that may feel more acute in a tight-knit community where incidents are more visible. This population-scaled perspective highlights the challenge of maintaining perceived safety in a setting where community cohesion is strong but crime concentration is high. The comparison to the UK average of 7.5 per 1,000 residents underscores Welshpool’s elevated vulnerability, though the month-on-month surge suggests a specific shift in local dynamics, possibly influenced by seasonal factors such as Bonfire Night and the timing of local events. The built-up nature of Welshpool, surrounded by rural expanses, may amplify the visibility of crimes in its core, creating a contrast with the broader Powys context where crime rates are generally lower. This juxtaposition reinforces the need for targeted strategies that address both the concentration of incidents in urban pockets and the broader regional landscape.