Barry Crime Rate May 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Barry's crime profile in May 2023 featured 452 reported incidents across 59,508 residents, equating to 7.6 crimes per 1,000 people—5% below the UK average of 8.0. This figure translates to approximately 0.76 crimes per resident, a rate that positions Barry as a relatively low-risk area compared to national benchmarks. The most significant category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 37.2% of all crimes (168 cases), a proportion in line with the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour followed with 17.7% (80 cases), while public order offences (51 cases) stood out as 36% above the UK average. These patterns may be influenced by Barry's built-up area characteristics, where higher population density and commercial activity could contribute to both violent and disorderly incidents. Seasonal factors appear to play a role, with longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising driving the 37.2% share of violence and sexual offences. However, the overall rate remains below the UK average, suggesting effective local policing or community engagement strategies that mitigate crime risks. Property crimes (130 cases) made up 28.8% of all incidents, a balance that contrasts with the UK's higher proportion of violent crime, indicating Barry's crime profile is shaped by a mix of personal and property-related issues.

May 2023 saw a 500% surge in 'Other crime' incidents, jumping from 2 to 12 cases. This category's rapid increase suggests potential underreporting or shifts in police categorisation practices, though no direct causal link can be established. Concurrently, theft from the person more than doubled, rising from 0 to 3 cases—a figure that may reflect heightened outdoor activity during longer evenings. Public order offences remained 36% above the UK average (0.9 vs 0.7 per 1,000), a discrepancy that could be attributed to Barry's coastal location and increased socialising during late spring. In contrast, criminal damage and arson fell by 43% (79 to 45 cases), a decline consistent with seasonal patterns where milder weather reduces opportunities for arson. Burglary also dropped by 33.3% (9 to 6 cases), linked to improved home security measures during the Easter holiday period.

Barry's crime rate in May 2023 (7.6 per 1,000 residents) represents a 12.1% decrease from the previous month's rate of 8.7 per 1,000. This decline aligns with broader seasonal patterns observed in similar built-up areas, where reduced daylight hours and quieter evenings in early spring may temporarily dampen certain types of criminal activity. On a daily basis, the area recorded roughly 15 crimes per day in May, a figure that contextualises the pace of reported incidents for residents. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 132 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Barry slightly below the UK average for comparable areas. This metric provides a tangible sense of risk for local households, though crime distribution varies significantly by category. The population context—59,508 residents—further highlights the scale of the statistics, with 452 total crimes representing a relatively low proportion of the population compared to national benchmarks.