Ferndale Crime Rate

Ferndale reports an overall crime rate of 64.2 per 1,000 residents, which is notably lower than the UK national average of 91.7. This contributes to a high safety score of 84/100, indicating that the town is a secure place to live compared to many other urban settlements. The crime trend is currently decreasing, showing a 13.2% fall year-over-year. Property crime in Ferndale is particularly low at 12.8 per 1,000, which is significantly better than the national average of 32.3. While violence and sexual offences represent the largest portion of reported incidents, the overall statistical profile suggests a community that is safer than many comparable areas in the UK. Residents should remain aware of local trends while noting the town's strong property safety profile.

Crime Breakdown in Ferndale

In Ferndale, the crime landscape is primarily defined by violence and sexual offences, which account for 46.7% of all reported incidents (30.0 per 1,000 residents). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 12.8% and public order offences at 12.4%. These statistics indicate that social conduct and personal safety in public spaces are the primary areas of focus for local law enforcement.

Property crime in Ferndale stands at 12.8 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3. The breakdown includes criminal damage and arson (6.6%), vehicle crime (3.5%), and burglary (3.1%). Shoplifting is also relatively rare at just 3.1%. For homeowners, this suggests that while the risk of a break-in is low, there is a moderate risk of opportunistic theft and vandalism. Residents should remain vigilant about property security to maintain these relatively low figures. Maintaining visible security measures is the most effective way to mitigate these risks.

Crime Trends in Ferndale

The crime trend in Ferndale is currently decreasing, with a year-over-year fall of 13.2%. This suggests that local safety initiatives are having a positive impact. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows that the crime rate reached its peak in February 2025 at 8.5 per 1,000 residents.

Following the winter peak, the rate remained relatively low through the spring and summer before seeing a further decrease toward the end of the year, reaching its lowest point in September at 3.5. This fluctuating pattern suggests that seasonal factors or specific local events may be influencing crime volumes. For residents, the overall decreasing trend is a positive sign, although the higher figures in the winter suggest a need for continued vigilance during those months. Law enforcement and community efforts appear to be effective in managing local crime volumes.

How To Keep Safe in Ferndale

The most common crime in Ferndale is violence and sexual offences. To enhance your personal safety in the town, consider these practical tips:

1. Be aware of your surroundings, especially when walking alone in the evening. Stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through isolated areas or unlit paths.
2. Report any instances of anti-social behaviour or public order offences to the local authorities. These are the second and third most common crimes in Ferndale, and reporting them helps police manage hotspots.
3. Secure your home during the afternoon and night. Although burglary is rare (2.0 per 1,000), these are the times when it is statistically most likely to occur.
4. Ensure your vehicle is locked and parked in a well-lit area or garage. Vehicle crime is most frequent during the early morning hours, accounting for 39% of incidents in that window.
5. Stay informed about local safety by joining community groups or neighbourhood watch schemes, which foster a supportive environment and help deter opportunistic crime.

Crime in Ferndale follows distinct temporal patterns. During the morning (6am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-6pm), theft is a moderate concern, accounting for 27% and 30% of crimes in those periods respectively. This suggests that opportunistic theft is most likely when residents are active or away from home. In the evening (6pm-12am), 'other' crimes, including public order and anti-social behaviour, dominate at 54%. Late at night (12am-6am), vehicle crime sees a significant relative increase, making up 39% of incidents in that window. Overall, residents should be most mindful of property security during the day and vehicle security overnight.

Compared to its immediate neighbours in the Rhondda Cynon Taf district, Ferndale is one of the safer locations. Its crime rate of 64.2 per 1,000 is lower than Maerdy (136.9) and Tylorstown and Pontygwaith (84.0). It is also significantly safer than Wattstown, which has a much higher rate of 110.6. As a quieter residential area in the Rhondda valley, Ferndale's crime rate reflects its lower levels of footfall and commercial activity. While there are larger nearby towns with more amenities, Ferndale offers a good balance of safety and local community for residents who value being in a secure local environment.

In Ferndale, where property crime is low at 12.8 per 1,000, the focus of home security should be on maintaining this safety through prevention. Traditional CCTV systems are reactive; they record a crime after it has occurred, which does little to stop an intruder in the moment. In an area where criminal damage and opportunistic theft are more common than burglary, a proactive approach is far more effective.

scOS is an AI-powered home security operating system designed to prevent crime before it happens. By watching all your cameras simultaneously, scOS uses intelligent detection to identify threats at the property boundary. It recognizes your family, deliveries, and routines, ensuring you aren't bothered by false alerts. If a real threat is detected, the system can autonomously respond with lights and audio deterrents, destroying the element of surprise. For Ferndale homeowners, this means that any potential intruder is discouraged within the first 60 seconds. Moving from reactive recording to proactive prevention with scOS is the most effective way to protect your home.