Penarth Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Penarth's crime rate in February 2026 stood at 3.0 per 1,000 residents, placing the area 53.1% below the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000. This figure reflects a sustained trend of lower-than-average crime levels, consistent with Penarth's character as a coastal town with a compact built-up area and limited industrial activity. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 39.1% of all crimes reported, followed by public order incidents (13.8%) and anti-social behaviour (9.2%). These patterns align with Penarth's demographic profile as a commuter hub with a mix of residential and retail zones, where interpersonal disputes and public order issues are more prevalent than in rural areas. Seasonal factors also appear to influence the crime picture: February's low outdoor activity and pre-spring lull may have contributed to the relatively low overall rate. The rate of violence and sexual offences in Penarth (1.2 per 1,000) is 48% below the UK average, a disparity that may reflect the town's limited nightlife and higher proportion of family-oriented housing compared to larger urban centres. The absence of significant spikes in property crime, combined with the area's proximity to natural landscapes, suggests that environmental factors and community cohesion play a role in maintaining lower-than-average crime levels.

February 2026 saw the most dramatic month-on-month change in shoplifting, which surged by 250% from 2 to 7 incidents. This increase, though still below the UK average for the category (0.6 per 1,000), may be linked to the approach of Easter holidays, when retail activity typically rises. Concurrently, burglary rates doubled from 1 to 3, a 200% increase, while vehicle crime jumped 166.7% from 3 to 8. These spikes suggest heightened activity in areas with car parks or residential zones. Conversely, other theft fell 75% from 8 to 2, and criminal damage and arson dropped 64.3% from 14 to 5, possibly reflecting seasonal lulls in vandalism. Penarth's violence and sexual offences rate (1.2 per 1,000) remains 48% below the UK average, a gap that may be partly explained by the town's compact size and limited late-night entertainment venues. The category with the most pronounced UK comparison is bicycle theft, which was 100% below the national average (0.0 vs 0.0 per 1,000), though this could be due to the area's relatively small population and fewer cycling infrastructure needs. Residents may find the 250% increase in shoplifting particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a potential need for heightened retail security measures ahead of peak shopping periods.

Penarth's February 2026 crime rate of 3.0 per 1,000 represents a 9.3% decrease from the previous month's rate of 3.3 per 1,000. This decline, while modest, aligns with the seasonal context of February as a low-activity month with fewer outdoor events and reduced tourism. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly 3 crimes per day over the course of the month, a figure that appears stable compared to prior months. When scaled to Penarth's population of 28,942, this translates to a monthly exposure rate of 1 crime for every 333 residents—a statistic that may be particularly meaningful for local families assessing community safety. The rate remains significantly lower than the UK average, with Penarth's overall crime picture being 53.1% below the national figure. This gap is most pronounced in categories like anti-social behaviour (67% below UK average) and drug-related offences (100% below), which may reflect the town's smaller size and stronger community policing presence. The comparison to the previous month highlights a consistent downward trend in crime, though the spikes in shoplifting and burglary suggest that localized factors—such as retail footfall or housing turnover—can still drive short-term fluctuations. The daily crime count and population-scaled exposure provide a tangible reference for residents to contextualize their personal risk levels within the broader UK landscape.