Local Area Crime Statistics

Vale of Glamorgan Crime Rate

Crime is decreasing and LOW in Vale of Glamorgan

Discover crime rates in Vale of Glamorgan: 72.7 per 1,000 residents, with an excellent safety score of 83/100 and a decreasing trend.

Overall Crime Rate

72.7
per 1,000 people
22% lower than UK avg

Property Crime Rate

25.0
per 1,000 people
25% lower than UK avg

Based on population of 135,743 over 12 months

Crime Statistics Summary for Vale of Glamorgan

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

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Vale of Glamorgan
Overall Crime Rate72.7 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate25 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score83 out of 100
Population135,743
Trenddecreasing
Comparisonsignificantly lower than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Vale of Glamorgan
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences3,5292636%
Anti-social behaviour1,2859.513%
Shoplifting1,082811%
Public order1,0307.610%
Criminal damage and arson9006.69%
Other theft5053.75%
Vehicle crime4863.65%
Burglary2962.23%
Drugs2912.13%
Other crime2561.93%
Possession of weapons840.61%
Robbery480.30%
Theft from the person390.30%
Bicycle theft330.20%

About Vale of Glamorgan

The Vale of Glamorgan experiences an overall crime rate of 72.7 per 1,000 people per year, which is notably lower than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. This contributes to an impressive safety score of 83 out of 100, significantly above the UK average safety score of 78. Recent data indicates a positive trend, with overall crime decreasing by 8.2% year-over-year, suggesting an improving safety landscape for residents and visitors alike. This overview sets the context for a more detailed examination of crime statistics within the area.

Vale of Glamorgan Safety Score

83
Safe
Safety Score out of 100

Vale of Glamorgan has a relatively good safety score compared to the UK average (78).

0-20
20-40
40-60
60-80
80-100

Crime Rates Across Vale of Glamorgan

Barry (Vale of Glamorgan)

99.4
per 1,000
Moderate Risk

St Athan

61.9
per 1,000
Low Risk

Penarth

54.1
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Boverton

53.3
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Llantwit Major

51.0
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Eglwys-Brewis

49.4
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Dinas Powis

46.2
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Ogmore-by-Sea

40.6
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Cowbridge

39.4
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Rhoose

38.7
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Colwinston

22.8
per 1,000
Very Low Risk

Crime Rate Risk Levels

Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

Understanding Crime in Vale of Glamorgan

The Vale of Glamorgan is a diverse local authority district, characterised by a mix of charming market towns, coastal resorts, and rural landscapes, alongside some residential and light industrial areas. Its population of 135,743 residents is spread across these varied environments. Key activities include tourism, particularly along its coastline and in towns like Barry and Penarth, as well as agricultural and local commercial enterprises. The presence of transport hubs and visitor attractions can influence localised crime patterns, particularly related to theft and anti-social behaviour in busier spots. While generally affluent, the district's varied demographics and economic activities contribute to the specific crime statistics observed, including lower overall crime rates compared to national figures.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
3,529 incidents (26 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
1,285 incidents (9.5 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
1,082 incidents (8 per 1,000)
Public order
1,030 incidents (7.6 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
900 incidents (6.6 per 1,000)
Other theft
505 incidents (3.7 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
486 incidents (3.6 per 1,000)
Burglary
296 incidents (2.2 per 1,000)
Drugs
291 incidents (2.1 per 1,000)
Other crime
256 incidents (1.9 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
84 incidents (0.6 per 1,000)
Robbery
48 incidents (0.3 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
39 incidents (0.3 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
33 incidents (0.2 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

↓ 6.5% change(over 12 months)
Vale of Glamorgan
UK Average

Compare Vale of Glamorgan with similar populations

Vale of Glamorgan has a 22.2% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Breakdown in Vale of Glamorgan

An analysis of crime types in the Vale of Glamorgan reveals that Violence and sexual offences constitute the most significant category, accounting for 35.8% of all reported crimes, at a rate of 26.0 per 1,000 people. This is followed by Anti-social behaviour, which makes up 13.0% of crimes (9.5 per 1,000), and Shoplifting, contributing 11.0% (8.0 per 1,000). For residents and homeowners, understanding property-related crime is crucial. The property crime rate in the Vale of Glamorgan stands at 25.0 per 1,000 people, which is lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This category encompasses burglary (2.2 per 1,000), other theft (3.7 per 1,000), vehicle crime (3.6 per 1,000), criminal damage and arson (6.6 per 1,000), robbery (0.3 per 1,000), theft from the person (0.3 per 1,000), and bicycle theft (0.2 per 1,000). While lower than national averages, these figures highlight the importance of vigilance and protective measures for personal belongings and properties.

Crime Trends in Vale of Glamorgan

The Vale of Glamorgan has experienced a positive shift in its crime landscape, with overall crime decreasing by 8.2% year-over-year. This downward trend suggests improving safety across the district. Examining the monthly crime rate data per 1,000 people reveals fluctuations throughout the year. For instance, the crime rate saw a dip towards the end of 2024, reaching 5.3 in December, before a slight increase in early 2025, peaking at 6.6 in May. However, the subsequent months show a general return to lower levels, with September 2025 recording 5.8 crimes per 1,000. This pattern indicates that while there may be seasonal variations, the long-term trend remains firmly in a decreasing direction, offering reassurance to residents.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

When placed in regional context, the Vale of Glamorgan demonstrates a more favourable crime profile compared to several neighbouring areas. With an overall crime rate of 72.7 per 1,000 and a safety score of 83/100, it generally fares better than Cardiff, which typically experiences higher urban crime rates. Compared to Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Neath Port Talbot, and Merthyr Tydfil, the Vale of Glamorgan consistently shows a lower incidence of crime and a higher safety score. This regional comparison highlights the Vale of Glamorgan as one of the safer areas within South Wales, providing valuable context for those considering living or working in the region.

Protecting Your Home in Vale of Glamorgan

Given the property crime rate of 25.0 per 1,000 people in the Vale of Glamorgan, ensuring robust home security is a sensible consideration for residents. While traditional CCTV systems can record incidents, they often provide footage of a burglary rather than preventing it. For true peace of mind, consider proactive security solutions. An AI-powered home security operating system like scOS offers a different approach, detecting threats at your property boundary before a break-in occurs. This shifts the focus from reactive recording to active prevention. With professional-grade equipment and features such as multi-camera intelligence, DVLA vehicle verification, and pattern learning, scOS is designed to recognise routines and only alert on real threats. This level of deterrence is crucial, as most burglars make a decision within 60 seconds of approaching a property. Visible and intelligent security can make that decision easy for them – they move on, safeguarding your home and belongings effectively.

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About Our Crime Statistics

Official government data sources for Vale of Glamorgan

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.uk — Recorded crime data from England and Wales' 43 territorial police forces
  • Office for National Statistics — Demographic data and Crime Survey statistics
  • Home Office — National offence records and crime policy information
  • FOI Requests — Supplementary 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.
Police.ukONSHome OfficeFOI

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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