Penarth Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

November 2024 marked a continuation of Penarth's consistently low crime profile, with an overall rate of 3.4 crimes per 1,000 residents — 55.3% below the UK average of 7.6. This built-up area within the Vale of Glamorgan has long demonstrated a stark contrast to national trends, particularly in violent crime, which accounted for 35.7% of all reported incidents. Violence and sexual offences remained the most common category.2 per 1,000 residents, this figure is 53% below the UK average. Anti-social behaviour followed closely, contributing 18.4% of total crimes, while criminal damage and arson made up 15.3%. Seasonal factors likely played a role in these patterns, with the transition to darker evenings and the timing of Bonfire Night potentially influencing anti-social behaviour and public order incidents. The Black Friday shopping period may have also contributed to the sharp rise in shoplifting, though this category remains 71% below the UK average. The area's relatively low population density and strong community policing presence may partly explain its sustained safety record. The overall balance between property and violent crime appears stable, with property crimes accounting for 36% of total incidents and violent crimes for 35.7%. This suggests a consistent focus on both personal safety and local infrastructure protection, reflecting Penarth's character as a well-maintained coastal town with a mix of residential and commercial zones.

November 2024 saw a significant 250% increase in shoplifting incidents, rising from 2 to 7 cases — a stark contrast to the previous month's figures. This spike aligns with the Black Friday shopping period, though the overall shoplifting rate in Penarth remains 71% below the UK average. Meanwhile, violent crime decreased by 46.2%, with violence and sexual offences falling from 65 to 35 incidents. This decline, though substantial, still leaves the area's violent crime rate at 1.2 per 1,000 residents — 53% below the UK average. Vehicle crime also dropped sharply by 66.7%, with reported incidents falling from 12 to 4. This reduction may reflect improved street lighting initiatives or increased police patrols in key areas. Public order offences declined by 65%, from 20 to 7, a trend that appears consistent with the broader decrease in anti-social behaviour. Drug-related incidents and bicycle theft both rose by 100%, though these remain at the lowest levels nationally — 100% below the UK average for both categories. Residents may find the 35.7% share of violent crimes in the overall rate particularly relevant, as this proportion is comparable to other low-crime coastal towns in Wales.

Penarth's crime rate in November 2024 (3.4 per 1,000 residents) represents a 31.0% decrease from the previous month's rate of 4.9 per 1,000, continuing a downward trend observed in recent months. This decline places the area in a starkly different position compared to the UK average, where the national rate of 7.6 per 1,000 residents highlights Penarth's exceptional safety record. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 3 crimes per day in November, a figure that reflects the low overall rate but may feel more tangible to residents. Over the course of the month, 1 reported crime occurred for roughly every 295 residents — a monthly exposure rate that is significantly lower than the UK average when scaled to Penarth's population of 28,942. This figure provides context for local residents, suggesting that the likelihood of experiencing a crime is much lower than in most parts of the country. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that even the most common crime types — violence and sexual offences — remain well below national levels. This comparative advantage is likely influenced by Penarth's coastal location, which may see fewer opportunities for certain types of crime compared to larger urban centres. The combination of low population density, strong community engagement, and targeted policing efforts appears to contribute to this sustained safety record, though these factors remain subject to ongoing analysis.