Swansea Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Swansea's crime profile in January 2026 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property-related offences, shaped by the city's coastal and urban character. With a crime rate of 6.5 per 1,000 residents—4.4% below the UK average—the area demonstrates a relatively stable security landscape. Violence and sexual offences emerged as the most prevalent category, accounting for nearly 40% of all crimes, a figure that aligns with Swansea's status as a major urban centre with a diverse population. This dominance of violent crime contrasts with lower rates of burglary and robbery, which were 64% and 100% below the UK average, respectively. The presence of public order offences at 10.6% of total crimes highlights the influence of Swansea's urban environment, particularly in areas with high foot traffic and nightlife activity. Seasonal factors also played a role, with January's shorter days and post-holiday lull likely contributing to reduced retail footfall and lower outdoor crime rates. However, the surge in public order offences—67% above the UK average—suggests a need for targeted interventions in areas where alcohol consumption and public disturbances are common. Shoplifting, at 10.1% of total crimes, also remained elevated, 23% above the UK average, a trend consistent with Swansea's retail presence and the potential for opportunistic theft in high-traffic zones. These patterns underscore the importance of understanding Swansea's unique demographic and geographic factors, which shape not only the types of crimes reported but also their frequency and distribution across the city.

January 2026 saw significant shifts in Swansea's crime mix, with violent crimes dominating at 39.3% of total incidents, driven largely by violence and sexual offences. This category was 4% above the UK average, a contrast to anti-social behaviour, which was 35% below the national rate. Public order offences surged by 22.5%, reaching 174 cases—a 67% increase over the UK average. Meanwhile, vehicle crime dropped by 25.4%, aligning with the UK's lower rate for this category. The most pronounced monthly change was in possession of weapons, which rose by 91.7%, a stark increase that may reflect post-holiday enforcement patterns or shifts in local activity. Bicycle theft fell sharply by 63.6%, a decrease that could be linked to reduced outdoor activity in January. These fluctuations underscore the importance of tracking specific crime types, such as drugs and public order, which saw significant increases, while categories like burglary and robbery remained well below UK averages. For residents, the rise in public order offences may be particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a need for community engagement strategies in high-traffic areas.

Swansea's crime rate in January 2026 rose by 4.1% compared to December 2025, moving from 6.3 to 6.5 per 1,000 residents. This increase, though modest, reflects a slight uptick in reported incidents across the month. On a daily basis, Swansea recorded approximately 53 crimes per day in January, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents for local residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 153 residents, a monthly exposure rate that provides a tangible sense of the scale of crime relative to the population. With a population of 251,304, this translates to a population-scaled perspective where the likelihood of being directly affected by crime remains relatively low compared to national averages. The shift in crime patterns also highlights the need for ongoing monitoring of specific categories, such as public order and drugs, which saw notable increases, while vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour declined. These figures, when viewed alongside the area's coastal and urban character, suggest that local dynamics—such as post-holiday transitions and retail activity—may play a role in shaping crime trends.