Mountain Ash Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Mountain Ash's crime rate in January 2026 stood at 8.7 per 1,000 residents, 27.9% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This figure reflects a combination of local and national factors, though the area's elevated crime rate is a clear concern. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (49 incidents, 48.5% of total), followed by criminal damage and arson (14 incidents, 13.9%). These patterns align with the characteristics of a built-up area within Rhondda Cynon Taf, where urban density and social dynamics may contribute to higher rates of violent and property crimes. The seasonal context of January—post-holiday period, reduced retail footfall, and shorter days—likely influenced the crime profile, with fewer outdoor crimes typical of the month. However, the significant overrepresentation of violent crimes compared to the UK average suggests deeper local challenges. The UK average for violence and sexual offences is 2.5 per 1,000, while Mountain Ash recorded 4.2 per 1,000, a 68% gap that may be partly explained by the area's built-up nature and potential socioeconomic factors. Meanwhile, criminal damage and arson were 150% above the UK average, indicating a possible link to local issues such as anti-social behaviour or property-related tensions. The area's relatively low rates of vehicle crime (46% below UK average) and drugs-related offences (29% below) may be influenced by effective policing strategies or community initiatives, though further analysis would be needed to confirm these hypotheses. Overall, the data illustrates an area grappling with higher-than-average violent crime, while some categories show signs of improvement or stability.

January 2026 saw notable increases in burglary, criminal damage, and bicycle theft, with burglary rising by 200% compared to the previous month. These spikes may be linked to seasonal factors such as shorter days and post-holiday disruptions. Conversely, drug-related crimes fell by two-thirds, and vehicle crime dropped by half—shifts that could reflect changes in policing priorities or community initiatives. The area's violent crime rate was 68% above the UK average, with 49 incidents of violence and sexual offences reported. This stark deviation from national trends may be influenced by local dynamics, such as the area's built-up nature and potential social challenges. Meanwhile, anti-social behaviour remained slightly below the UK average, suggesting that some community efforts may be having a measurable impact. Residents may find the 27.9% increase in overall crime rate particularly concerning, given the area's already elevated baseline compared to the UK.

Mountain Ash's crime rate in January 2026 rose to 8.7 per 1,000 residents, a 33% increase from the previous month's 6.5 per 1,000. This places the area significantly above the UK average, though the rate remains a local concern rather than a national outlier. On a daily basis, three crimes were reported each day in January, reflecting a consistent presence of criminal activity. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 115 residents, a figure that highlights the frequency of incidents in a relatively small population. When scaled to the area's 11,654 residents, the crime rate underscores the need for targeted community engagement and policing strategies. The population context reveals that Mountain Ash's crime profile is influenced by violent and property crimes, which together account for over 80% of all reported incidents. This contrast with the UK's broader distribution of crime types may be influenced by local factors such as economic conditions or demographic characteristics.