Mountain Ash Crime Rate

Mountain Ash currently has an overall crime rate of 93.8 per 1,000 residents, which is slightly higher than the UK average of 91.7. Despite this, the town maintains a respectable safety score of 75/100, reflecting a generally secure environment for its population of over 11,000. The recent trend direction is stable, with a year-over-year increase of 3.7%, suggesting that local safety levels are consistent. Notably, the property crime rate in Mountain Ash is 20.1 per 1,000, which is significantly better than the UK average of 32.3. This indicates that while social and public order offences are more common, the risk to homes and personal property is lower than in many other parts of the country.

Crime Breakdown in Mountain Ash

The crime profile of Mountain Ash is heavily dominated by violence and sexual offences, which account for 50.2% of all recorded incidents (47.1 per 1,000 residents). This is followed by anti-social behaviour at 11.7% and public order offences at 10.8%. These figures indicate that social conduct and personal safety in public areas are the primary focus for local policing.

Property crime in Mountain Ash stands at 20.1 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.3. The most frequent property offence is criminal damage and arson, representing 7.0% of total crime, followed by vehicle crime at 5.6%. Burglary is notably rare, making up only 2.0% of incidents with a rate of 1.9 per 1,000. For residents and homeowners, this indicates that while the risk of a break-in is low, there is a moderate risk of vehicle-related crime and vandalism. Protecting vehicles and ensuring property boundaries are secure are the most effective ways to mitigate these risks.

Crime Trends in Mountain Ash

The crime trend in Mountain Ash is currently stable, with a year-over-year increase of 3.7%. This suggests that local safety levels are consistent. Monthly data from December 2024 to November 2025 shows a relatively steady rate, beginning at 6.8 in December and reaching a peak of 9.4 in July.

Following the summer peak, the crime rate remained steady throughout the autumn, with another minor rise to 8.1 in October before dropping back to 7.4 in November. This pattern indicates that while there are minor seasonal fluctuations, there is no significant upward surge in criminal activity. For residents, this stability provides a predictable environment, though the steady figures suggest a need for continued focus on community safety initiatives to maintain the town's long-term safety prospects.

How To Keep Safe in Mountain Ash

The highest crime category in Mountain Ash is violence and sexual offences, often concentrated in the town centre or near social hubs. To stay safe in the urban environment, consider these tips:

1. Be aware of your surroundings when walking through the town centre, especially during the evening. Stick to well-lit main roads and avoid shortcuts through isolated areas after dark.
2. If you are out late, try to travel in groups and use reputable local taxi services. Ensure someone knows your expected arrival time.
3. Report any instances of anti-social behaviour to the local authorities. ASB is the second most common issue in Mountain Ash, and consistent reporting helps police identify and manage hotspots.
4. Secure your vehicle, even when parked for short periods. Vehicle crime is most common late at night, accounting for 52% of incidents in that window, so using a garage or a well-lit driveway is highly recommended.
5. Keep valuables out of sight in public spaces. Shoplifting and other thefts are common in commercial areas, so staying vigilant can help prevent opportunistic theft.

Crime in Mountain Ash follows distinct temporal patterns. The morning and afternoon periods are dominated by theft and shoplifting, which peak between 12pm and 6pm, accounting for 37% of crimes in that window. This aligns with the town's retail hours and higher footfall in commercial areas. As the day transitions into the evening (6pm-12am), the focus shifts toward 'other' crimes, including anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which make up 52% of reports. Late-night hours (12am-6am) see a significant spike in vehicle crime, which represents 52% of all incidents during this period. This suggests that while daytime crime is largely opportunistic and retail-focused, night-time crime targets unattended property and vehicles.

Mountain Ash is a central urban settlement in its immediate vicinity. Compared to nearby areas, its crime rate of 93.8 is higher than the more residential Ferndale (64.2) and Aberfan (28.1). However, it is safer than Aberdare (104.6) and Troedyrhiw and Pentrebach (101.3). These differences are largely due to Mountain Ash's role as a local commercial and transport hub, which naturally draws more activity than smaller villages. For those seeking a quieter environment, Ferndale offers a lower crime rate, but Mountain Ash remains a safe and well-connected choice for those who value the amenities of a larger town within the Rhondda Cynon Taf area.

In Mountain Ash, where property crime sits at 20.1 per 1,000 residents, protecting your home requires more than just recording events. Traditional CCTV systems often only provide evidence after a crime has occurred, which is a reactive approach. With vehicle crime and criminal damage being the most common property offences in the area, homeowners should focus on preventing opportunistic incidents before they escalate.

scOS offers a proactive security solution that uses AI to monitor your property boundaries. Unlike standard cameras that just record, scOS intelligently identifies threats in real-time. It can distinguish between your family, a delivery, and a potential intruder. If a threat is detected, the system can autonomously respond by activating lights or speakers, destroying the element of surprise that most criminals rely on. This level of professional-grade protection is a powerful deterrent, signaling to potential offenders that your property is not an easy target. For Mountain Ash residents, this means moving beyond simple surveillance to a system that actively prevents crime.