Rural Vale of Glamorgan Crime Rate

Rural Vale of Glamorgan Crime Overview

The Rural Vale of Glamorgan is characterised by its exceptional safety profile, featuring an overall crime rate of 55.0 per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6, making it one of the more secure regions in the country. This low crime volume is reflected in a high safety score of 88/100, which comfortably exceeds the UK average of 79/100. Furthermore, the area is experiencing a positive trend, with a substantial 13.9% year-over-year decrease in total crime. These figures suggest a peaceful and well-regulated environment where residents can feel secure. The data indicates that the Rural Vale is not only safer than the national average but is also actively becoming safer over time.

Crime Breakdown in Rural Vale of Glamorgan

In the Rural Vale of Glamorgan, the crime profile is led by violence and sexual offences, which constitute 29.5% of all reported incidents at a rate of 16.2 per 1,000 residents. Shoplifting is the second most common offence, accounting for 18.7% of the total, followed by anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, which each make up 10.8%. These figures reflect a more dispersed crime pattern typical of less densely populated areas.

Property crime in the Rural Vale—including burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and arson—occurs at a rate of 24.6 per 1,000 people per year. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 32.2, highlighting the relative security of properties in this region. Shoplifting is the primary driver of property-related stats here, while residential burglary remains low at 1.9 per 1,000. Vehicle crime is also relatively infrequent at 2.4 per 1,000. For homeowners, the data suggests that while the overall risk is lower than in urban centres, opportunistic crimes like shoplifting in local hubs and criminal damage are the most frequent property-related concerns. Protection of outbuildings and vehicles remains a sensible precaution despite the favourable statistics.

Crime Trends in Rural Vale of Glamorgan

The Rural Vale of Glamorgan is currently seeing a very positive trend in safety, with total crime decreasing by 13.9% year-over-year. This significant drop indicates that the area is becoming increasingly secure. Monthly data from 2025 reveals a consistent crime rate, mostly hovering between 4.0 and 5.5 per 1,000 residents.

The year started with a rate of 5.1 in January, followed by a low of 3.2 in April. There was a slight peak in May at 5.5, but the latter half of the year remained stable, ending with a rate of 4.3 in December. This lack of extreme volatility is a hallmark of a safe, well-monitored area. For residents, these trends suggest that the Rural Vale is a stable environment where safety is either maintained or actively improved, providing long-term peace of mind for the community.

How To Keep Safe in Rural Vale of Glamorgan

Violence and sexual offences, while occurring at a low rate compared to national figures, remain the most reported crime type in the Rural Vale of Glamorgan. In a rural context, safety is often about awareness and communication.

To maintain personal safety, ensure you are familiar with your surroundings when walking on rural paths or in less populated areas. It is advisable to carry a mobile phone with a full charge and let someone know your expected return time. In the small village centres, stay in well-lit areas during the evening. Given that shoplifting is the second highest crime, business owners should ensure they have clear sightlines and secure entrances. For residents, the dispersed nature of the community means that looking out for neighbours is particularly effective. Joining a local 'Rural Watch' or similar community group can help you stay informed about any suspicious activity in the area. Finally, ensuring that all outbuildings, such as sheds and garages, are secured with high-quality locks can prevent opportunistic theft, which often targets these less-monitored structures.

Rural Vale Time-Based Crime Patterns

Crime in the Rural Vale follows a pattern that peaks during the daylight hours. Between 12pm and 6pm, theft-related offences (including shoplifting) reach their highest point, accounting for 41% of all crimes in that period. This suggests that activity is most concentrated when local shops are busy and residents are active.

As night falls (12am to 6am), the volume of crime decreases, but the focus shifts. Vehicle crime becomes a primary concern, representing 34% of night-time incidents. Interestingly, burglary also sees a high relative percentage at night (18%), compared to only 10% in the morning. This indicates that while the overall number of crimes is lower after dark, the risk to property and vehicles is proportionately higher. Morning hours (6am to 12pm) are relatively calm, though theft remains the most likely issue at 37%. Understanding these shifts allows residents to prioritise their security efforts, focusing on shop and home security during the day and vehicle protection overnight.

Nearby Area Comparison

In the regional context of the Vale of Glamorgan, the Rural Vale stands out as a high-safety alternative to the more urbanised Barry, which has a much higher crime rate of 99.3 per 1,000. It aligns more closely with Dinas Powis, which records a rate of 46.1. The area's dispersed nature means it avoids the concentrated crime issues seen in the Vale's larger towns. For residents or prospective movers, the Rural Vale offers a significant safety premium, with crime levels that are among the lowest in the local authority, providing a stark contrast to the busier commercial and transport hubs nearby.

Proactive Security in the Rural Vale

With a property crime rate of 24.6 per 1,000, the Rural Vale of Glamorgan is statistically safer than many other areas, yet the isolated nature of some rural properties can present unique security challenges. Traditional CCTV systems are often reactive, providing footage of an incident only after it has occurred. In rural settings, where police response times may be longer, this reactive approach is often insufficient.

The scOS operating system offers a proactive alternative by using AI to detect threats at the very edge of your property. Rather than waiting for a break-in, scOS identifies suspicious activity at the boundary, such as an unknown vehicle or a person loitering. The system’s autonomous response—activating lights and audio deterrents—can stop a crime before it begins. For Rural Vale residents, the system’s ability to learn daily routines and distinguish between a delivery driver and a genuine threat is invaluable. By focusing on prevention rather than just recording, scOS ensures that your home remains the secure sanctuary the local statistics suggest it should be.