Penarth Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Penarth’s crime profile in January 2024 reveals a distinct mix of violent and property-related offences, shaped by both local dynamics and seasonal factors. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 36.4% of all reported crimes, the highest single category, and remained 12% below the UK average. This suggests a relatively lower incidence of violent crime compared to national trends.4 per 1,000 residents rate is still 13.5% below the UK’s 7.4 per 1,000. The second and third most common categories, public order and vehicle crime, stood out for their significant deviations from UK averages: public order offences were 67% above the national rate, while vehicle crime was 60% above. This contrast highlights a potential imbalance in local policing priorities or environmental factors influencing these categories. January’s seasonal context—post-holiday lulls, reduced retail footfall, and shorter days—likely contributed to lower shoplifting rates (down 25%) and theft from the person (down 50%), which align with the typically quieter start to the year. However, the sharp rise in vehicle crime may reflect increased car theft or vandalism linked to colder weather and reduced visibility. The overall crime rate, while lower than the UK average, indicates a need for targeted interventions in areas where public order and vehicle crime are high. These patterns, when considered alongside Penarth’s built-up area status within the Vale of Glamorgan, suggest a mix of urban challenges and seasonal influences shaping the local crime picture.

January 2024 saw a 100% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 11 to 22 incidents. This jump, coupled with a 67% above UK average for public order offences, signals a notable shift in the local crime profile. Meanwhile, shoplifting and theft from the person both decreased by 25% and 50% respectively, a trend consistent with the post-holiday period and shorter daylight hours typical of January. Violence and sexual offences, though remaining the most common category (36.4% of total crimes), were 12% below the UK average. This contrast with elevated public order and vehicle crime rates suggests a combination of local factors and broader patterns. For residents, the 100% rise in vehicle crime may highlight the need for increased vigilance in parking areas during colder months.

Penarth's crime rate in January 2024 rose by 26.9% compared to the previous month, climbing from 5.0 to 6.4 per 1,000 residents. This increase, while still below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, suggests a shift in local patterns. Daily crime activity averaged 6 incidents per day, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 157 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure provides a tangible sense of the crime profile: roughly one in 157 residents experienced a crime in January. When contextualised against Penarth’s population of 28,942, this rate highlights a balance between relative safety and pockets of increased activity. The rise in public order and vehicle crime, while not fully explained by the data, may reflect seasonal factors such as reduced daylight hours or post-holiday disruptions. The comparison to UK averages further underscores Penarth’s distinct profile, where violent crime remains lower than the national average but property-related offences like vehicle crime show marked elevation.