Swansea Crime Rate

Swansea's crime rate of 87.3 per 1,000 residents in February 2026 is 4% below the UK average, making it one of the safer large urban areas in Wales. Public order crimes in Swansea are 51% above the UK average, a significant disparity that contrasts with the area's overall safety score of 80/100. This highlights a combination of Swansea's coastal geography, mixed urban-rural landscape, and its role as a regional hub for culture and commerce.

Swansea's unique geography as a coastal city with a mix of urban and rural areas shapes its crime profile. The urban core, with its historic town centre and modern developments, experiences higher rates of public order crime due to its role as a tourist destination and university city. In contrast, rural areas like Crofty and Bishopston have much lower crime rates, likely due to their isolated nature and smaller communities. Swansea's port and industrial heritage, particularly in areas like Loughor and Clydach, contribute to specific patterns—Loughor's 49.3 per 1,000 rate may reflect maritime-related activity. The city's economic diversity, with a strong retail sector and significant student population, also influences crime types, with anti-social behaviour and violence linked to nightlife areas like the Swansea Waterfront.

The most surprising finding in Swansea's crime profile is the 51% exceedance in public order crimes (9.5 per 1,000) compared to the UK average of 6.3. This likely reflects Swansea's coastal location and its status as a tourist destination, where crowded beaches and festivals may contribute to disorder. Anti-social behaviour (11.4 per 1,000) is 22% below the UK average, possibly due to effective local policing in residential areas. Violence and sexual offences (33.9 per 1,000) remain 6% above the UK average, correlating with Swansea's urban core and student population. Vehicle crime is 32% below the UK average (3.1 vs 4.6 per 1,000), suggesting strong car security measures in the area. The sharp 73% YoY increase in robbery (0.4 per 1,000) may be linked to seasonal tourism patterns during the summer months.

Swansea's crime rate has remained stable (-4.9% YoY) over the past year, but the sharp 73.4% YoY increase in robbery is a concern. Monthly trends show a clear seasonal pattern, with crime peaking in March (8.2 per 1,000) and hitting a low in September (6.3 per 1,000). This aligns with Swansea's tourism season and university term patterns. The decrease in shoplifting (-25.9% YoY) and vehicle crime (-17.3% YoY) suggests successful anti-theft initiatives in retail and transport sectors. Despite these declines, public order crimes remain 51% above the UK average, likely due to the city's coastal location and high foot traffic.

Swansea's crime rate (87.3 per 1,000) is 6% higher than nearby Neath Port Talbot and 25% higher than Vale of Glamorgan, the region's safest area. In contrast, Merthyr Tydfil has a 25% higher crime rate than Swansea, likely due to its more industrial character and lower economic diversity. Within Swansea itself, rural areas like Crofty (17.1 per 1,000) are 410% safer than the average, possibly due to lower population density and fewer public spaces. The urban core of Swansea (102.2 per 1,000) has 17% higher crime than the local average, reflecting the challenges of managing a large, mixed-use city centre.

For Swansea residents facing above-average public order crime (51% above UK average), scOS offers targeted security solutions. Its AI-powered boundary monitoring detects suspicious activity around properties, such as loitering near public spaces, before escalation. The system's ability to distinguish between regular visitors and potential threats using behavioural pattern learning is particularly valuable in Swansea's mixed-use areas. With Swansea's 51% exceedance in public order crimes, scOS's real-time audio and light deterrents can disrupt incipient disorder in high-risk zones like the Swansea Bay promenade. The system's 24/7 monitoring and remote configuration by a dedicated Architect ensures it adapts to Swansea's specific patterns, such as increased foot traffic during festivals.

How To Keep Safe in Swansea

For Swansea residents, focus on public order crime prevention: avoid leaving valuables unattended in crowded areas like the Swansea Bay promenade, and use secure storage for items in public spaces. Given Swansea's 51% exceedance in public order crimes, consider attending community events in groups and staying aware of local noticeboards for event-specific safety updates. For the 20% exceedance in 'other crime' (2.4 vs 2.0 per 1,000), ensure personal items are secured in areas with higher transient populations, such as the Swansea Marina. The area's 73% YoY rise in robbery suggests increased vigilance in high-traffic zones like the Swansea Castle area during peak tourist seasons.