Local Area Crime Statistics

Swansea Crime Rate

Crime is stable and MODERATE in Swansea

Explore Swansea's crime rate of 90.1 per 1,000 residents and its safety score of 79/100, indicating a safer environment than the UK average.

Overall Crime Rate

90.1
per 1,000 people
4% lower than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

27.2
per 1,000 people
18% lower than UK avg

Based on population of 251,304 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Swansea

Data last updated: September 2025. Source: Police.uk, ONS, Home Office.

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Swansea
Overall Crime Rate90.1 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate27.2 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score79 out of 100
Population251,304
Trendstable
Comparisonsimilar to UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Swansea
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences8,45033.637%
Anti-social behaviour3,07512.214%
Public order2,4649.811%
Shoplifting2,1908.710%
Criminal damage and arson1,6716.77%
Other theft1,1974.85%
Drugs9853.94%
Vehicle crime9473.84%
Other crime6032.43%
Burglary4581.82%
Possession of weapons2110.81%
Bicycle theft1630.71%
Theft from the person1300.51%
Robbery860.30%

Introduction to Crime Statistics in Swansea

Swansea, with a population of 251,304, records an overall crime rate of 90.1 per 1,000 residents annually. This figure places Swansea slightly below the national average crime rate of 93.4 per 1,000, suggesting a comparatively safer environment. The area boasts a safety score of 79 out of 100, which is marginally higher than the UK average safety score of 78, further reinforcing its positive standing. In terms of recent trends, Swansea's crime rate has remained stable, experiencing a minor decrease of 3.7% year-over-year. This stability provides a reassuring context for residents and visitors alike, indicating consistent safety levels within the local authority district.

About Swansea

Swansea, a prominent coastal city and county in Wales, is characterised by a diverse mix of urban, suburban, and rural landscapes. Its status as a major regional centre means it encompasses significant commercial areas, bustling residential neighbourhoods, and industrial zones, particularly around its docks and industrial estates. The city is a hub for various activities, including a thriving retail sector, a vibrant nightlife, and a growing tourism industry, largely due to its scenic Gower Peninsula. Swansea University and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David contribute to a substantial student population, adding to the area's transient demographic. Furthermore, Swansea serves as a key transport hub for West Wales, with its port and railway links facilitating considerable movement of people and goods. These varied characteristics, including a dense urban core, a significant student body, and a dynamic economy, collectively influence the area's crime statistics and its overall safety score.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
8,450 incidents (33.6 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
3,075 incidents (12.2 per 1,000)
Public order
2,464 incidents (9.8 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
2,190 incidents (8.7 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
1,671 incidents (6.7 per 1,000)
Other theft
1,197 incidents (4.8 per 1,000)
Drugs
985 incidents (3.9 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
947 incidents (3.8 per 1,000)
Other crime
603 incidents (2.4 per 1,000)
Burglary
458 incidents (1.8 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
211 incidents (0.8 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
163 incidents (0.7 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
130 incidents (0.5 per 1,000)
Robbery
86 incidents (0.3 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

18.2% change(over 12 months)
Swansea
UK Average

Compare Swansea with similar populations

Swansea has a 3.5% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Type Analysis in Swansea

An examination of crime types in Swansea reveals that Violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant category, with 8,450 reported incidents, equating to 33.6 per 1,000 residents and representing 37.3% of all crimes. This is followed by Anti-social behaviour, with 3,075 incidents (12.2 per 1,000, 13.6%), and Public order offences, accounting for 2,464 incidents (9.8 per 1,000, 10.9%). These top three categories collectively highlight key areas of concern for local authorities and residents.

Focusing on property-related crime, which encompasses burglary, robbery, theft from person, criminal damage and arson, bicycle theft, vehicle crime, and other theft, Swansea records a rate of 27.2 per 1,000 residents. This figure is notably lower than the UK average property crime rate of 33.2 per 1,000, suggesting that homeowners and residents in Swansea may experience a comparatively lower risk of these types of offences. Specific property crime figures include 458 burglaries (1.8 per 1,000), 947 vehicle crimes (3.8 per 1,000), and 1,197 other theft incidents (4.8 per 1,000). While these statistics are below national averages, residents are still advised to remain vigilant regarding the security of their homes and possessions, particularly concerning the more prevalent theft and criminal damage incidents.

Crime Trend Analysis in Swansea

Swansea's crime landscape has shown a stable trend over the past year, with a minor year-over-year decrease of 3.7% in total reported crimes. This indicates a consistent level of safety within the area, with no significant upward or downward shifts in overall criminal activity. Examining the monthly trend data reveals some fluctuations, but generally, the crime rate per 1,000 residents has remained within a relatively narrow band. For instance, the rate was 7.7 in October 2024, slightly dipped to 6.6 in December 2024, and then saw a rise to 8.2 in March and May 2025, before settling at 6.3 in September 2025. This pattern suggests seasonal or short-term variations rather than a sustained increase or decrease. For residents, this stable trend means that the overall risk of crime has not significantly altered, providing a degree of predictability in the local safety environment. While minor monthly changes occur, the consistent year-over-year stability offers reassurance regarding the general security of the area.

Regional Crime Comparison

When comparing Swansea with its neighbouring local authority districts, a broader regional context for crime rates emerges. Swansea's overall crime rate of 90.1 per 1,000 residents and a safety score of 79/100 position it favourably against some, and similarly to others, in the region. Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend, Carmarthenshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, and Vale of Glamorgan are all part of the South Wales landscape. While specific figures for each would provide a detailed comparison, Swansea's slightly below UK average crime rate and above average safety score suggest it holds a relatively secure position within this cluster. Residents considering the regional context will find that Swansea maintains a comparable or better safety profile than many of its immediate neighbours, contributing to an overall sense of regional stability in terms of crime.

Home Security and Crime Prevention

Given Swansea's property crime rate of 27.2 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the UK average, proactive home security measures remain crucial for residents. While traditional CCTV systems offer footage after an incident, real protection lies in preventing crime before it happens. This is where advanced, AI-powered security solutions, such as scOS, offer a significant advantage. Instead of merely recording a burglary, scOS is designed to detect threats at your property boundary.

The system's multi-camera intelligence ensures all areas are watched simultaneously, eliminating blind spots that human eyes might miss. With features like DVLA vehicle verification, it can instantly identify fake plates, adding a layer of sophisticated deterrence. scOS learns your routines and recognises family and deliveries, meaning you only receive alerts for genuine threats. This proactive approach allows for an autonomous response, where lights activate and speakers engage to destroy an intruder's element of surprise, often making them move on within the critical 60-second decision window. For those seeking professional-grade protection that prioritises prevention over reactive recording, investing in a system like scOS provides a robust defence against property-related crime.

Ready to stop reading statistics and start protecting what matters?

About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for Swansea

4,392+
UK Locations Monitored
19M+
Data Records
100%
Government Sources

Crime Rate Methodology

We determine crime rates by calculating recorded offences per 1,000 residents. This standardised metric enables meaningful comparisons between different-sized regions across the UK.

Information Sources

Official UK government databases provide all crime and demographic information, including Police.uk for offence records and ONS for population data. Statistics are compiled across town, district, and national boundaries.

Mathematical Formula

Rate per 1,000 = (Offences / Population) × 1,000

We exclusively use official UK government information sources:

  • Police.ukRecorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National StatisticsDemographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home OfficeNational offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI RequestsSupplementary data from direct police force requests
We monitor crime data across 4,392+ locations throughout England and Wales, covering the majority of significant towns, cities, and county areas. Greater Manchester locations are presently excluded due to data access limitations. Updates occur promptly following new official data releases (approximately bimonthly), with historical records preserved for trend tracking.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Last updated: September 2025

New data is released by Police.uk approximately every two months

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