Crime Statistics

Penarth Crime Rate

-20.7%year-over-year

Crime is decreasing and LOW in Penarth

Penarth's crime rate is 54.1 per 1,000, with an excellent safety score of 87/100, and a significant decreasing trend.

Overall Crime Rate

54.1
Crimes per 1,000 people
decreasing trend

Property Crime Rate

17.1
Property crimes per 1,000 people
Includes burglary, theft, vandalism

How Penarth Compares to UK Average

Overall Crime:54.1vs 93.4 UK avg
-39.3 per 1,000 people
Property Crime:17.1vs 33.2 UK avg
-16.1 per 1,000 people

Penarth's crime rate is significantly lower than UK average

Based on population of 28,942 over 12 months

This area spans multiple local authorities

Cardiff, Vale Of Glamorgan

Crime Statistics Summary for Penarth

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

Crime rates per 1,000 people in Penarth
Overall Crime Rate54.1 per 1,000 people
Property Crime Rate17.1 per 1,000 people
UK Average Crime Rate93.4 per 1,000 people
UK Average Property Crime Rate33.2 per 1,000 people
Safety Score87 out of 100
Population28,942
Trenddecreasing
Comparisonsignificantly lower than UK average
Crime Breakdown by Type in Penarth
Crime TypeTotal CountPer 1,000 PeoplePercentage of Total
Violence and sexual offences5802037%
Anti-social behaviour2157.414%
Public order1896.512%
Criminal damage and arson1625.610%
Vehicle crime973.46%
Other theft8636%
Burglary702.44%
Shoplifting551.94%
Other crime431.53%
Drugs321.12%
Bicycle theft160.61%
Possession of weapons110.41%
Robbery50.20%
Theft from the person40.10%

About Penarth

Penarth, a charming coastal town within the Vale of Glamorgan, boasts an overall crime rate of 54.1 per 1,000 people per year. This figure is substantially lower than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000, contributing to an impressive safety score of 87 out of 100, well above the UK average of 78. Furthermore, the area has experienced a significant positive trend, with overall crime decreasing by a notable 20.7% year-over-year. This indicates a considerably safer environment for residents and highlights Penarth as a particularly secure community.

Penarth Safety Score

87
Safe
Safety Score out of 100

Penarth has a relatively good safety score compared to the UK average (78).

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

Most Common Crimes in Penarth

#1

Violence and sexual offences

Percentage:37%
Per 1,000:20
Total:580
#2

Anti-social behaviour

Percentage:14%
Per 1,000:7.4
Total:215
#3

Public order

Percentage:12%
Per 1,000:6.5
Total:189
#4

Criminal damage and arson

Percentage:10%
Per 1,000:5.6
Total:162
#5

Vehicle crime

Percentage:6%
Per 1,000:3.4
Total:97

Protect Against These Threats

scOS security systems are designed to detect and deter the most common crimes in your area, providing 24/7 autonomous protection.

Protect Against These Threats

Crime Breakdown in Penarth

An examination of crime types in Penarth reveals that Violence and sexual offences are the most common, accounting for 37.1% of all reported incidents, at a rate of 20.0 per 1,000 people. Anti-social behaviour follows, making up 13.7% of crimes (7.4 per 1,000), with Public order offences at 12.1% (6.5 per 1,000). For homeowners and residents, understanding property-related crime is vital. Penarth's property crime rate stands at 17.1 per 1,000 people, which is significantly lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This category includes burglary (2.4 per 1,000), vehicle crime (3.4 per 1,000), other theft (3.0 per 1,000), criminal damage and arson (5.6 per 1,000), and bicycle theft (0.6 per 1,000). These figures suggest a relatively low risk of property crime, yet proactive security measures remain a prudent consideration.

Crime Types Breakdown

Violence and sexual offences
580 incidents (20 per 1,000)
Anti-social behaviour
215 incidents (7.4 per 1,000)
Public order
189 incidents (6.5 per 1,000)
Criminal damage and arson
162 incidents (5.6 per 1,000)
Vehicle crime
97 incidents (3.4 per 1,000)
Other theft
86 incidents (3 per 1,000)
Burglary
70 incidents (2.4 per 1,000)
Shoplifting
55 incidents (1.9 per 1,000)
Other crime
43 incidents (1.5 per 1,000)
Drugs
32 incidents (1.1 per 1,000)
Bicycle theft
16 incidents (0.6 per 1,000)
Possession of weapons
11 incidents (0.4 per 1,000)
Robbery
5 incidents (0.2 per 1,000)
Theft from the person
4 incidents (0.1 per 1,000)

Crime Rate Trend

26.5% change(over 12 months)
Penarth
UK Average

Compare Penarth with similar populations

Penarth has a 42.1% lower crime rate than the UK average.

Crime Trends in Penarth

Penarth has demonstrated a remarkable improvement in its crime figures, with a substantial year-over-year decrease of 20.7% in overall crime. This significant downward trend underscores a continuously improving safety landscape. Analysing the monthly crime rate data per 1,000 people shows a fluctuating but generally decreasing pattern. For instance, the crime rate was 4.9 in October 2024, dipping to 3.4 in November, then rising to 5.5 in May 2025, before falling again to 3.6 in September 2025. Despite these monthly variations, the strong overall reduction indicates a positive trajectory for crime prevention in Penarth.

When Do Crimes Happen in Penarth?

Understanding peak crime times helps you stay vigilant and secure your property when it matters most.

Simulated Data

This heatmap shows estimated crime patterns based on Penarth's crime statistics, crime type distribution, and general knowledge of when different crimes typically occur. This is not real historical data for specific times.

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Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Crime Likelihood:
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High

Pro Tip: Burglaries peak on weekday evenings (6pm-midnight) and during work hours (10am-3pm) when homes appear empty. scOS smart security stays alert around the clock — detecting threats instantly, whether you're home or away.

What Types of Crime Happen When in Penarth?

Different crimes occur at different times. This breakdown shows which crime types dominate each time period.

Based on Crime-Type Weighted Model

Morning

6am - 12pm

Other36%
Theft34%
Vehicle Crime18%
Burglary12%
Violence0%

Mornings see elevated theft, vehicle crime, and burglary as residents leave homes.

Afternoon

12pm - 6pm

Theft38%
Other35%
Burglary21%
Vehicle Crime7%
Violence0%

Afternoons peak with burglary and theft, likely when properties are unoccupied.

Evening

6pm - 12am

Other53%
Burglary17%
Vehicle Crime17%
Theft13%
Violence0%

Evenings have increased 'other' crimes, burglary, and vehicle offences during social hours.

Night

12am - 6am

Vehicle Crime39%
Other36%
Burglary19%
Theft6%
Violence0%

Night hours are marked by higher vehicle crime and burglary, targeting quiet streets.

Simulated Data - Crime-Type Weighted Model

These crime patterns are estimated using the Crime Survey for England and Wales (ONS) time-of-day data, weighted by Penarth's specific crime type distribution from Police.uk. This is not real historical data for specific times in Penarth, but a model-generated estimate based on the area's crime composition and national timing patterns.

Time-Based Crime Patterns in Penarth

Crime patterns in Penarth exhibit specific tendencies throughout the day. Morning hours (6am-12pm) are characterised by a notable proportion of theft (34%) and vehicle crime (18%), often coinciding with commutes and the start of daily activities. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees a rise in burglary (21%) and theft (38%), which can be attributed to properties being unoccupied during working hours and commercial areas being busy. In the evening (6pm-12am), 'other' crime types, including violence and anti-social behaviour, become more dominant (53%), alongside burglary (17%) and vehicle crime (17%), likely linked to social gatherings. Night hours (12am-6am) show a significant increase in vehicle crime (39%) and burglary (19%), as the area becomes quieter, presenting opportunities for such offences.

Police Response Times in Penarth

How quickly do police respond to emergencies?

Grade 1 (Immediate)

Emergency 999 calls requiring immediate attendance — crimes in progress, threat to life, or serious injury.

Grade 2 (Priority)

Serious incidents needing prompt response but no immediate threat to life — recent crimes, vulnerable victims.

Grade 1 - Immediate

Emergency Response

N/AActual
Actual
N/A
Target
15 min
UK Average
15 min

Grade 2 - Priority

Priority Response

N/AActual
Actual
N/A
Target
1h
UK Average
1h

Active Officers

3,511

Each = 500 officers

Police Stations

Pending

Station count data is being collected

Why Response Time Matters

The average burglary takes just 8-10 minutes. Even when police respond quickly, burglars are often gone before anyone arrives.

scOS spots trouble the moment it starts — your lights come on, sirens sound, and you get an alert on your phone. Burglars don't stick around when they've lost the element of surprise.

Source: FOI Request

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

Penarth stands out as a particularly safe community when compared to its neighbours. With an overall crime rate of 54.1 per 1,000 and a safety score of 87/100, it consistently fares better than larger urban areas like Cardiff and Barry (Vale of Glamorgan), which typically report higher crime rates. Even when compared to smaller, more suburban areas such as Dinas Powis and Wenvoe, Penarth maintains a strong safety profile. For example, Dinas Powis has a crime rate of 46.2 per 1,000, slightly lower, but Penarth's significant decreasing trend is noteworthy. This regional context solidifies Penarth's reputation as one of the safer places to reside within the Vale of Glamorgan area.

Why scOS Is Different From Every Other Security System

Traditional systems watch crime happen. scOS stops it from happening.

Sees Everything At Once

AI watches all cameras simultaneously. Never blinks. Never looks away. Impossible to sneak past.

Property line intervention

Knows Every Vehicle

DVLA verification catches fake plates instantly. Suspicious car? You know before they park.

Stop them early

Learns Your Patterns

Recognizes family, delivery times, normal routines. Only alerts you to real threats.

Zero false alarms

Traditional CCTV

  • Records crime as it happens
  • Motion alerts for every shadow, leaf, or car passing by
  • You discover break-in hours later or are in the middle of it
  • Hope police can use the footage

scOS Intelligence

  • Stops threats before they reach your door
  • Intelligent motion alerts — only notifies you of real threats
  • Lights and speakers respond autonomously
  • They turn away before you even know

What used to be impossible is now effortless.

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Protecting Your Home in Penarth

With Penarth's property crime rate at a relatively low 17.1 per 1,000 people, residents may still wish to enhance their home security. Traditional security measures often focus on recording incidents after they happen, but true protection lies in prevention. An AI-powered home security operating system like scOS offers a proactive approach, designed to detect threats at your property boundary before a break-in can occur. Unlike systems that merely notify you after the fact, scOS intervenes in real-time, using multi-camera intelligence and pattern learning to distinguish genuine threats from everyday occurrences, avoiding false alarms. The visible presence of such professional-grade deterrence can be highly effective; most burglars decide whether to proceed within 60 seconds. By choosing a system that actively deters, you are not just documenting a crime, but actively stopping it, providing superior peace of mind for your home in Penarth.

Ready to stop reading statistics and start protecting what matters?

Understanding Our Data

How we source and verify crime information for Penarth

4,392+
Areas Covered
19M+
Crime Records
100%
Official Sources

Understanding the Calculations

The crime rate represents the number of recorded incidents per thousand residents in Penarth. This approach ensures fair comparison regardless of area population size.

Our Information

All statistics come from official government sources: Police.uk provides recorded crime data while the Office for National Statistics supplies population figures. We aggregate data at multiple geographic levels for context.

Formula Used

Crimes per 1k residents = (Total incidents ÷ Population) × 1,000

Our statistics derive entirely from UK government databases:

  • Police.ukCrime records from territorial police forces across England and Wales (43 total)
  • Office for National StatisticsPopulation statistics and the Crime Survey for England and Wales
  • Home OfficeNationwide crime data and official policy records
  • FOI RequestsAdditional statistics obtained via formal requests to police services
Our system covers 4,392+ areas across England and Wales, including major urban centers, towns, and administrative regions. Data for Greater Manchester is currently unavailable. We refresh statistics immediately when official sources publish updates (generally every 8 weeks) and maintain archives for historical analysis.

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

Spotted incorrect data or something that doesn't look right? Let us know and we'll investigate.