Vale of Glamorgan Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile of the Vale of Glamorgan in October 2023 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, with violence and sexual offences dominating the landscape. At 7.0 per 1,000 residents, the area’s crime rate is 12.5% below the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000, a consistent trend observed in recent months. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 36.3% of all reported crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.3%) and shoplifting (11.8%). This mix suggests a combination of factors, including the area’s mix of urban and rural characteristics, which may contribute to higher rates of interpersonal crime alongside lower property crime compared to the UK average. Shoplifting rates in the Vale of Glamorgan were 38% above the UK average, potentially reflecting the presence of retail hubs or seasonal pressures such as Halloween, which often coincides with increased opportunistic theft. Conversely, anti-social behaviour rates were 14% below the UK average, indicating effective community policing or lower population density in some areas. The seasonal context of October—shorter days and the approach of Halloween—may also influence crime patterns, with darker evenings increasing the risk of violent incidents and public order offences. While the overall rate remains stable, the dominance of violent crime over property crime highlights a need to address underlying social factors, such as community cohesion or access to support services, that may contribute to this imbalance. The data underscores the importance of contextual analysis when interpreting crime statistics, as local geography and demographics play a critical role in shaping patterns.

October 2023 saw significant shifts in specific crime categories, with robbery rates surging by 400% compared to September, rising from 1 to 5 incidents. This dramatic increase, though still low in absolute terms, may reflect heightened activity during Halloween or other events. Bicycle theft also rose sharply, doubling from 3 to 6 cases—a 100% increase that could be linked to seasonal factors such as the return of students or increased outdoor activity. In contrast, burglary rates fell by 34.1%, declining from 44 to 29 incidents, suggesting possible improvements in security measures or reduced opportunities for property crime. Shoplifting emerged as a standout category, with a 65.7% increase from 67 to 111 cases, placing the area 38% above the UK average. This anomaly may indicate specific vulnerabilities in retail environments, such as high foot traffic or inadequate surveillance. Meanwhile, drug-related crimes dropped by 20%, from 15 to 12, and possession of weapons fell by two-thirds, from 6 to 2, reflecting law enforcement efforts or community interventions. The crime mix also showed a clear contrast with the UK average: while violent crime rates were 7% below the national average, shoplifting and public order offences were significantly higher, suggesting a unique local dynamic where interpersonal crime and disorder dominate over property-based offences. For residents, the sharp rise in bicycle theft highlights the importance of securing personal property, particularly in areas with high concentrations of cyclists or students.

The crime rate in the Vale of Glamorgan for October 2023 (7.0 per 1,000) was 1.6% higher than the previous month’s rate of 6.8 per 1,000, indicating a stable trend with minimal fluctuation. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 30 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that contextualises the pace of reported incidents in relation to the local population. When scaled to the area’s population of 135,743, the monthly exposure translates to one reported crime for roughly every 144 residents—a rate that, while not negligible, remains lower than the UK average. This suggests that the Vale of Glamorgan is relatively safer than the national average, though the distribution of crime types differs significantly. The daily crime count provides a practical perspective for residents, illustrating the frequency of incidents in a way that aligns with everyday experiences. For instance, the 30 crimes per day equate to a roughly 1-in-4,500 chance of being directly affected by a crime on any given day. This metric also allows for comparisons across months, showing that the rate has remained largely consistent despite the sharp increases in specific categories like robbery and shoplifting. The population-scaled figure of 1-in-144 per month further underscores the relative safety of the area, though it highlights the need for targeted interventions in high-risk categories. These comparisons are essential for understanding the broader implications of the data, as they allow residents and policymakers to assess progress against both local and national benchmarks.