Wherever we opt to lay down our roots, it’s an unavoidable truth that we’ll face some issues with criminal activity. For many, that’s a major factor in choosing where to kickstart their business or start a family – we all want to feel safe in the place we call home.
That’s something that, as one of the UK’s leading security firms, we’re naturally incredibly passionate about. We’ve continually strived to provide open and honest analysis of crime data across the UK, from in-depth crime statistics for Cardiff, through to pioneering reports on knife crime across the county.
With our latest deep dive, we’ll be taking a more complete look at Wales and the issues with criminal behaviour that plague the country’s rolling valleys and bustling cities. We’ll pinpoint the major issues facing Welsh people across the nation’s diverse landscape, and what they might mean for your future plans.
While Wales may be small in stature compared to the neighbouring England and Scotland, it more than makes up for it with its exceptional sense of community, history and fierce loyalty to that iconic flag, that lyrical language and that remarkable heritage.
Most closely associated with the greenery of its rolling hills, valleys and rugged coastlines, it’s one of the most diverse and multi-faceted landscape across the UK. Those roiling vistas peter out to some of the country’s most vibrant cities and holiday destinations, as well as a smattering of tourist attractions and sporting hotspots.
Of course, in spite of the undoubted draws that Welsh stalwarts like Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham possess, the shadowy figure of crime casts aspersions across the appeal Wales has long held.
That’s best exemplified by the country’s overall crime rate, which sits at a worrying 85.4 crimes per 1,000 people living in Wales, or a total of 267,526 offences over the last year of data. A deeper dive uncovers several areas of concern, with violent crimes (112,446 incidents) just the tip of Wales’ criminal iceberg.
That startling level of violent crime is closely followed by equally concerning numbers across theft (66,765 incidents), public order offences (32,948 incidents) and criminal damage (29,364 incidents), all of which have seen some of the highest statistics in recent memory.
Of course, while these are the headline figures for crime across the country, the most dangerous towns and cities in Wales face a more substantial fight against criminality. Let’s explore what makes those areas so hazardous, and what residents and visitors alike need to be on the lookout for.
We’ve crunched the numbers and exposed the most dangerous regions of Wales, as well as the key crime statistics that offer a sobering insights into some of the country’s most popular destinations.
Renowned as a major residential area on the outskirts of Caerphilly, the quaint town of Risca and its associated Ty-Sign is perhaps a surprise inclusion in the rankings of Wales’ most dangerous areas. An overall crime rate of 91.6 crimes per 1,000 residents, and concerning statistics across violent crime (523 incidents), antisocial behaviour (340 incidents) and public order offences (160 incidents), mean the town more than warrants its inclusion, however.
Perched at the cusp of one of Wales’ most famous bodies of water – the River Ely – is Tonyrefail, a small village harbouring a big secret in its rate of crime, which sits at 92.3 crimes per 1,000 residents. There’s mounting concerns surrounding high figures in violent crime (482 incidents), antisocial behaviour (148 incidents) and public order offences (123 incidents).
Touted as both a current and future home for sporting prowess across South Wales, the town of Ystrad Mynach’s aspirations are sullied slightly by its current crime rate of 94.4 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violet crime (480 offences) accounts for the lion’s share of crime across Ystrad Mynach, with antisocial behaviour (180 offences) and public order crime (146 offences) following closely behind.
Fast becoming a central hub for tech and industry in South Wales and beyond, Blackwood’s modern façade does little to mask its issues with crime, as the overall crime rate sits at a concerning 95 crimes per 1,000 residents. There’s mounting worries around rates of violent crime (406 offences), antisocial behaviour (299 offences) and shoplifting (128 offences) which see Blackwood enter the ranks of the most dangerous areas in Wales.
Home to the infamous ferry terminal at the far fringes of Anglesey, and sharing its name with the Holy Island peninsula, Holyhead’s bustling popularity brings an inflated crime rate of 95 crimes per 1,000 residents. A deeper dive uncovers soaring figures across violent crime (416 offences), antisocial behaviour (232 offences) and criminal damage (98 offences).
Overlooking the stunning vistas of the Kenfig Nature Reserve, the burgeoning village of Pyle belies its idyllic surroundings with an overarching crime rate of 97.3 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crimes (555 incidents) account for 41% of all offences in the area, with equally concerning stats in both antisocial behaviour (181 incidents) and public order offences (170 incidents).
Catapulted into the global public eye with its recent footballing exploits, the city of Wrexham has, in truth, always deserved that recognition, particularly so in its keen sense of heritage, and that intrinsic Welsh pride. Its crime rate of 97.5 crimes per 1,000 residents, however, offers a must-consider counterpoint.
High figures in violent crime (5,928 offences), theft (3,281 offences) and criminal damage and arson (1,666 offences) are key indicators of the issues Wrexham faces, and why it takes a spot in our rankings of the most dangerous areas of Wales.
A quintessential example of a Welsh town, coupling sweeping views from its castle ramparts and mountains surroundings with all the trappings of modern living, Caerphilly faces a mounting issue in its most recent crime rate of 98.8 crimes per 1,000 residents. A closer look reveals significant figures in violent crime (1,385 incidents), antisocial behaviour (527 incidents) and public order offences (441 incidents).
Often mistaken for an English town given its close proximity to Merseyside, the Welsh settlement of Flint has a storied history but a concerning future, especially given its alarming crime rate of 98.9 crimes per 1,000 residents. There’s startling figures across violent crime (445 offences), antisocial behaviour (259 offences) and shoplifting (166 offences).
One of North Wales’ most popular market towns, and pockmarked with Welsh monuments and hints towards the country’s rich history, Denbigh’s stellar reputation is undercut by its crime rate, which lies at 99.7 crimes per 1,000 residents, or just under 1 crime for every 10 people. Instances of violent crime (320 incidents), antisocial behaviour (214 incidents) and criminal damage (106 incidents) are regular headline-makers across Denbigh.
One of the more populous residential towns on the outskirts of South Wales’ larger towns, Maesteg’s undeniable popularity is offset by its startling crime rate of 103.5 crimes per 1,000 residents. A closer look reveals the extent of the problems, with high rates of violent crime (681 offences), shoplifting (285 offences) and antisocial behaviour (255 offences) the standout issues.
One of South Wales’ most popular holiday resorts, and synonymous with seaside getaways and natural coastal beauty, Barry’s place in popular media has brought a new wave of touristic attention, alongside the wrong kind of criminal attention in its overall crime rate of 104.8 crimes per 1,000 residents. That’s most evident in the town’s soaring figures in violent crime (3,365 incidents), theft (2,532 incidents) and public order offences (1,118 incidents).
An ever-popular seaside resort, and home to some of the country’s most well-preserved castles and crumbling ruins, it’s perhaps disheartening to see Abergele feature so highly on the ranking of Wales’ most dangerous places. But with high figures in violent crime (336 offences), antisocial behaviour (193 offences), and criminal damage (82 offences), and an overall crime rate of 105.8 crimes per 1,000 residents, it’s perhaps easy to see why it’s ranked at thirteenth.
Nestled on the edges of the tumultuous tides of the Irish Sea, the coastal village of Kinmel Bay is called home by just 8,537 people. While it’s one of the smaller entrants on our list of Wales’ most dangerous places, its overall crime rate of 108 crimes per 1,000 residents – alongside high figures in violent crime (492 incidents), antisocial behaviour (153 incidents) and criminal damage (85 incidents) – mean it’s a worthy inclusion.
The Welsh capital, and a thriving metropolis in its own right, there’s little that can be said about the beautiful city of Cardiff that hasn’t already been proclaimed. In spite of its indisputable sporting, cultural and artistic draws, though, it’s Cardiff’s crime rate we’re focused on, which means the city’s residents grapple with 110.3 crimes per 1,000 people.
A deep dive uncovers several areas of concern, with soaring figures in theft (15,337 offences), violent crime (12,407 offences), and public order crimes (4,565 offences) all regularly making the headlines in Wales’ glittering capital city.
One of the largest cities in Wales, and synonymous with the ever-present sense of history and robust industry that characterises the country, it’s Newport’s popularity with the wrong kinds of people that earn it a place among Wales’ most dangerous areas.
A soaring crime rate of 119.6 crimes per 1,000 residents, and concerning figures in violent crime (7,070 incidents), theft (5,329 incidents) and public order offences (2,562 incidents) are major points of concern, however.
While rather unfortunately named, Mold holds a special place in the heart of its residents and visitors, especially those in town for its renowned food festival. Lesser known is the town’s soaring crime rate of 121.2 crimes per 1,000 residents, and persistent issues with violent crime (326 offences), antisocial behaviour (203 offences) and shoplifting (133 offences).
A former centre for iron production turned hotspot for Welsh adventure seekers, the town of Merthyr Tydfil’s claims to fame have long given way to the infamy of its high crime rate – 125.1 crimes per 1,000 residents. There’s ongoing concerns surrounding the figures we’ve seen in violent crime (1,158 offences), shoplifting (768 offences) and antisocial behaviour (624 offences).
A town in decline following the move away from its industrial roots, Ebbw Vale’s alarming crime rate of 126.6 crimes per 1,000 residents belies the peaceful surroundings of the Blaenau Gwent area. Ther’s several causes for concern in Ebbw Vale, with the most prevalent being rising numbers in violent crime (910 incidents), antisocial behaviour (379 incidents) and public order offences (244 incidents).
One of Wales’ most ancient towns, and a hive for tourism thanks to its striking castle by the harbour, Caernarfon’s issues with crime are no doubt a sour note to what’s often been a prized destination for many holidaymakers. However, with soaring figures in violent crime (435 offences), antisocial behaviour (268 offences) and criminal damage (104 offences), and an overall crime rate of 128.2 crimes per 1,000 residents, those tourists may reconsider.
A famed coastal destination thanks to its holidaymaking hotspots like the Welsh Mountain Zoo and its sandy shorelines, Colwyn Bay’s overall crime rate of 129 crimes per 1,000 residents seals the town’s place in infamy. Under the microscope, we find shocking figures across violent crime (1,347 incidents), antisocial behaviour (716 incidents) and shoplifting (312 incidents).
While the town of Bargoed and its neighbouring village Gilfach have been undergoing a lengthy redevelopment process, crime remains an ever-present issue for visitors and homeowners alike at a startling 131 crimes per 1,000 residents. Like much of Wales, Bargoed faces an uphill battle with its figures in violent crime (462 incidents), antisocial behaviour (168 incidents) and public order offences (108 incidents).
Abertillery’s place among the most dangerous areas of Wales comes in spite of its exceptional surroundings in the Ebbw Fach valley, with the town’s crime rate of 136.9 crimes per 1,000 residents just the tip of the iceberg. A deeper dive uncovers high figures in violent crime (479 offences), antisocial behaviour (367 offences) and public order crimes (174 offences).
Arguably one of Wales’ most infamous seaside destinations thanks to sweeping piers and promenades, Llandudno’s crime rate of 163.1 crimes per 1,000 residents secures its place in infamy for all the wrong reasons. Violent crime (1,160 incidents) is the most prevalent issue, with antisocial behaviour (742 incidents), shoplifting (371 incidents) and criminal damage (260 incidents) all causing regular concerns.
Officially the most dangerous area of Wales, Rhyl is also one of North Wales’ biggest holiday destinations, with its stretches of coastline and family-friendly attractions far overshadowed by the town’s crime rate of 192.4 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Violent crime (2,432 offences) is the most prevalent issue for visitors and homeowners alike, accounting for around 47% of all crimes across the Rhyl area. That’s closely followed by several key types of crime, including antisocial behaviour (964 offences), criminal damage (421 offences) and shoplifting (383 offences).
Of course, crime in Wales isn’t static. In recent years, almost every kind of criminal offence has seen some form of fluctuation, with some issues becoming far more prevalent than others, seeing substantial percentage increases over the figures we saw in 2022.
Shoplifting (23,287 offences) saw the largest rise when we compare it to 2022’s statistics (16,725 offences) for Wales, increasing by a shocking 39%. In fact, South Wales alone saw a 51% rise in shoplifting offences, which is perhaps symptomatic of the recent cost of living crisis.
Of course, that’s not the only offence type to have risen drastically when we compare the two most recent batches of data. Weapon possession rose by a worrying 11% (2,031 offences for 2023, compared with 1,833 in 2022), vehicle offences went up by 5% (11,212 offences, up from 10,712), and bicycle theft rose by 4% (2,683 offences, up from 2,572).
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Overall crime in Wales fell by 2% when compared with last year (267,526 offences over the course of 2023, down from 273,634 offences in 2022), whereas England’s overall crime rate fell by just 1%. A deeper dive reveals more positive signs.
Public order offences fell by a substantial 15% (32,948 incidents in 2023, down from 38,777 in 2022), while there were other notable decreases in drug offences (7,631 incidents, down by 9% from 8,089 in 2022), criminal damage (29,364 incidents, down by 7% from 31,687 in 2022), and robbery (957 incidents, down by 7% from 1,034 in 2022).
Weapon offences are, for good reason, often the subject of much concern and discussion. They’ve long since dominated headlines, and recent trends towards the positive only serve to exacerbate those ongoing issues.
In Wales alone, offences involving a knife rose by a notable 7% when compared with 2022, equating to an additional 110 offences (1,626 offences in 2023, compared with 1,516 in 2022) over the course of the year.
There’s a glimmer of hope, however, in that firearm offences fell by 3% over that same period, with 149 gun crimes in 2023, compared with 153 in 2022. While it’s only a decrease of 4 offences, it’s still a sign of things to come, and perhaps is indicative of greater policing presence, or more stringent regulations.
With every crime report we produce, we aim to be as fair, transparent and objective as possible. In the interests of ensuring full clarity, we’re utilising the latest data available through the Police UK website (which includes statistics from all Welsh police forces), alongside population data directly from the Office of National Statistics.
We’ve then opted to represent those statistics as a ratio of the number of crimes per 1,000 people living in that area. Not only is this a much easier way to represent the key findings of our report, it also allows us to take into consideration key variables like area size and population.
While we’ve listed out statistically the most dangerous areas of Wales, we also understand all too well that crime can be subjective. Even in areas where the data isn’t as startling, or crime isn’t as prevalent, we can feel unsafe, uncertain, or worried for our safety.
With that in mind, we’ve listed out a handful of the country’s most populous places that aren’t part of the rankings for the most dangerous places in Wales, alongside their associated crime rates.
Overall Crime Rate Of 81.1 Crimes Per 1000 People
Overall Crime Rate Of 79.9 Crimes Per 1000 People
Overall Crime Rate Of 77.1 Crimes Per 1000 People
Overall Crime Rate Of 71.5 Crimes Per 1000 People
Overall Crime Rate Of 65.6 Crimes Per 1000 People
Overall Crime Rate Of 65 Crimes Per 1000 People
Overall Crime Rate Of 56.6 Crimes Per 1000 People
Overall Crime Rate Of 46.2 Crimes Per 1000 People
Understanding The “Ask For Angela” Scheme: Laws, Safety & The Future
By John Melling
November 21, 2024
