Penarth Crime Rate September 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 28,942, Penarth recorded 104 crimes in September 2025 — a rate of 3.6 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 51.4% below the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000. This figure translates to approximately one crime for every 278 residents over the course of the month, highlighting a relatively low exposure to crime compared to national trends. The most common crime types were violence and sexual offences (36 cases, 34.6% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (11 cases, 10.6%) and shoplifting (12 cases, 11.5%). These patterns align with Penarth’s character as a coastal town with a mix of residential and commercial areas, where seasonal transitions like September’s back-to-school period and university freshers’ week may influence crime dynamics. Violence and sexual offences remain high compared to the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), but the area’s overall crime profile is safer than the national average. The lower prevalence of property crimes — such as burglary (6 cases, 5.8%) and vehicle crime (9 cases, 8.7%) — suggests a combination of community policing efforts and the area’s compact built-up layout, which may limit opportunities for certain offences. Meanwhile, shoplifting and public order offences (13 cases, 12.5%) saw higher rates than the UK average, reflecting the impact of seasonal foot traffic in retail areas. As September marks the transition from summer to autumn, the data may partly explain the uptick in shoplifting, with students and tourists returning to the area contributing to increased retail activity.

September 2025 saw a 140% increase in shoplifting, rising from 5 to 12 cases — a sharp spike that may correlate with the start of university term and the influx of new students. Vehicle crime also rose by 28.6% (7 to 9 cases), potentially linked to increased parking activity in residential areas as commuters and students return. Conversely, anti-social behaviour dropped by 56% (25 to 11 cases), and criminal damage and arson fell by 63.2% (19 to 7 cases), suggesting a possible seasonal decline in alcohol-related incidents or community engagement efforts. The area’s violent crime rate (1.2 per 1,000) remains 53% below the UK average (2.6 per 1,000), a consistent trend that may reflect Penarth’s relatively low population density and strong community networks. Bicycle theft rose 43% above the UK average (0.1 per 1,000), a figure that could be explained by the increasing number of cyclists using the coastal paths as the weather cools. Residents may find the 51.4% UK average comparison particularly relevant, as it underscores the area’s safety compared to the national context — a figure that is likely to influence local perceptions of security and policing effectiveness.

Penarth’s September 2025 crime rate of 3.6 per 1,000 represents a 34.2% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 5.5 per 1,000, marking a significant downward trend. This decline positions the area as one of the safer built-up regions in the UK, with a monthly crime exposure of roughly one incident for every 278 residents — a figure that is lower than the national average. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 3 crimes per day, a rate that is lower than many comparable towns of similar size. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Penarth’s safety is not just a statistical anomaly but a consistent feature, with crime rates remaining well below the UK average for most categories. For instance, the area’s anti-social behaviour rate (0.4 per 1,000) is 66% below the UK average (1.2 per 1,000), suggesting that local initiatives or community cohesion may contribute to this trend. However, the 43% rise in bicycle theft compared to the UK average (0.1 per 1,000) highlights a specific vulnerability, potentially linked to increased cycling as a transport mode during colder months. This comparison reinforces the importance of targeted interventions for specific crime types while maintaining the overall low crime profile that Penarth has demonstrated.