Vale of Glamorgan Crime Rate August 2024 | Monthly Statistics

August 2024 marked a continued decline in overall crime in the Vale of Glamorgan, with a rate of 6.6 crimes per 1,000 residents—19.5% below the UK average of 8.2. This performance places the area among the safer local authority districts in the UK. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 31.3% of all reported incidents, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.5%) and public order offences (12.4%). These figures align with the area's seasonal dynamics, as August typically sees increased tourism and seasonal activity. The lower-than-average rate for violent crime—2.1 per 1,000 compared to the UK average of 2.7—suggests effective community policing or environmental factors that may mitigate conflict. However, public order offences in the Vale of Glamorgan (0.8 per 1,000) exceeded the UK average by 27%, potentially reflecting the challenges of managing crowds in popular tourist areas or the impact of increased social interactions during the summer months. This contrast between violent crime trends and public order concerns highlights the combination of local demographics and seasonal patterns in shaping crime profiles. The data also shows a notable decrease in theft from the person, which fell by 57.1% month-on-month, linked to heightened awareness during holiday periods or changes in tourist behaviour. These patterns warrant further analysis to understand whether they represent temporary fluctuations or long-term shifts in criminal activity.

The month-on-month crime rate in August 2024 fell by 12.3% compared to July, with several categories showing marked changes. Robbery increased by 33.3%, rising from three to four incidents, though this remains far below the UK average of 0.1 per 1,000. Conversely, theft from the person dropped sharply by 57.1%, from seven to three incidents—a reduction that may reflect the impact of heightened security measures or changes in tourist activity. The category of criminal damage and arson saw a 20.3% increase, rising from 79 to 95 incidents, which could be linked to seasonal factors such as increased use of outdoor spaces or the impact of holiday-related events. Anti-social behaviour remained below the UK average, with a rate of 1.0 per 1,000 compared to the UK's 1.4, suggesting effective community engagement initiatives. Vehicle crime also fell sharply by 33%, aligning with the UK average of 0.5 per 1,000. This decline may be connected to the area's geography, as Vale of Glamorgan includes both urban and rural zones where vehicle theft is less prevalent compared to densely populated cities. The data also reveals that burglary and drugs-related offences were 38% and 55% below UK averages respectively, reinforcing the area's generally lower risk profile for these categories. These fluctuations offer insights into how local conditions and seasonal trends influence specific crime types, though further investigation would be needed to confirm direct causal links.

In August 2024, the Vale of Glamorgan recorded 901 total crimes, equating to roughly 29 crimes per day—slightly below the previous month's rate of 7.6 per 1,000 residents. This 12.3% decrease from July's rate suggests a sustained trend of declining crime in the area. On a per-resident basis, the monthly exposure figure indicates that over the course of August, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 151 residents—a statistic that provides context for individual risk levels. When compared to the UK average, the Vale of Glamorgan's overall crime rate remains significantly lower, with the area's population of 135,743 contributing to this relative safety. The daily crime count of 29 per day is a local figure that does not directly compare to UK-wide averages, but it offers a tangible measure of activity for residents. The 1-in-151 monthly exposure rate is better than the UK average, which would be higher given the national rate of 8.2 per 1,000. This suggests that the Vale of Glamorgan's policing strategies, community engagement efforts, or geographic characteristics may contribute to its lower crime profile. The comparison with the previous month also highlights the importance of seasonal factors, as August's peak tourism period may have influenced crime patterns in ways that differ from other months. These figures, when viewed in conjunction with the area's population size and local context, offer a nuanced understanding of how crime rates translate to real-world risk for residents and visitors alike.