Penarth Crime Rate March 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Penarth’s crime profile in March 2023, accounting for 30.4% of total reported incidents. This category, which includes assault, sexual offences, and harassment, was 56% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000 residents, a significant deviation that may reflect the town’s character as a coastal community with a strong emphasis on local policing and community cohesion. The overall crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents placed Penarth 48.7% below the UK average of 7.6, a marked contrast to the national profile. This safety advantage is further illustrated by the low incidence of anti-social behaviour (10.7% of total crimes) and public order offences (10.7%), both of which were 62% and 38% below UK averages, respectively. Seasonal factors may have played a role in shaping these patterns, as March’s transition to spring brought longer evenings and increased outdoor activity, influencing crime dynamics in retail and leisure areas. The breakdown of crimes also highlights the dominance of property-related offences, which made up 47.3% of total reports, with criminal damage and arson (14.3%) and vehicle crime (12.5%) emerging as key subcategories. These figures suggest a balance between residential and commercial risks, with the latter likely driven by the area’s proximity to transport routes and the presence of local businesses. The relatively low rates of burglary (2.7%) and shoplifting (6.3%) compared to UK averages further reinforce the idea that Penarth’s crime profile is shaped by its unique geographical and social context, where community vigilance and local infrastructure may contribute to lower reported incidents.

March 2023 saw Penarth’s violence and sexual offences rate at 1.2 per 1,000 residents, 56% below the UK average of 2.7 per 1,000. This stark contrast underscores the area’s relative safety in this category, likely influenced by community engagement and local initiatives. Vehicle crime, at 0.5 per 1,000, was 4% above the UK average, a small but notable deviation that may reflect the town’s reliance on car-based transport and proximity to main roads. The crime mix also shifted significantly, with property crimes (53 incidents) making up 47.3% of total reports, compared to 34 violent crimes (30.4%). This balance between property and violent crime highlights the area’s dual exposure to both residential and commercial risks. A practical insight for residents is the daily crime count of 4 incidents, which provides a clear benchmark for understanding local security trends.

In March 2023, Penarth recorded 112 crimes over 31 days, averaging approximately 4 crimes per day. This daily figure provides a tangible snapshot of the local crime profile, though it must be noted that this is specific to Penarth and not comparable to UK-wide daily averages. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 258 residents, a metric that contextualises the risk on a per-person basis. With a population of 28,942, this monthly exposure rate illustrates the relatively low frequency of crime in the area compared to the UK average. The population-scaled perspective highlights that Penarth’s crime rate of 3.9 per 1,000 residents is significantly lower than the national figure, suggesting a safer environment for its residents. This context is further reinforced by the breakdown of crime types, which shows minimal overlap with UK averages in categories such as anti-social behaviour and public order offences. These findings align with the area’s character as a coastal town with a mix of residential and commercial zones, where community cohesion and local policing may contribute to lower reported incidents.