Crime in Bridgend district: statistics, rates and trends
12,344 crimes were recorded in Bridgend district in the 12 months to July 2026, 83.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Bridgend district at a glance
- Crime trends in Bridgend district
- Types of crime in Bridgend district
- Bridgend district compared with nearby districts
- Areas within Bridgend district
- Streets with the most crime in Bridgend district
- What happened after crimes were reported in Bridgend district
- Population and deprivation in Bridgend district
- Questions about crime in Bridgend district
- About this data
12,344 crimes were recorded in Bridgend district in the 12 months to July 2026, 83.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 5,290 reports (43% of the total).
Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Bridgend district has the 166th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Bridgend district | Wales | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 12,344 | 304,944 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 83.7 | 95.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +3% | +0% | -1% |
| Population | 147,530 | 3,186,581 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Bridgend district was highest in the year to July 2020 (14,140 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (11,303). Over the whole period it rose 1%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 12,344 | 83.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 12,014 | 81.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 12,821 | 86.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 11,814 | 80.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 11,303 | 76.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 13,425 | 91.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 14,140 | 95.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 12,864 | 87.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 12,261 | 83.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 1,292 |
| June 2026 | 1,129 |
| May 2026 | 1,023 |
| April 2026 | 989 |
| March 2026 | 1,005 |
| February 2026 | 847 |
| January 2026 | 934 |
| December 2025 | 937 |
| November 2025 | 996 |
| October 2025 | 1,132 |
| September 2025 | 941 |
| August 2025 | 1,119 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Bridgend district over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for public order.
The largest increases were in robbery (+103%) and shoplifting (+15%). The largest falls were in drugs (-22%) and possession of weapons (-10%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 5,290 | 35.9 | 1.05 | +8% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 1,674 | 11.3 | 0.74 | -6% |
| Public order | 1,507 | 10.2 | 1.54 | +9% |
| Shoplifting | 1,002 | 6.8 | 0.82 | +15% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 883 | 6.0 | 0.88 | -5% |
| Other theft | 545 | 3.7 | 0.58 | -8% |
| Other crime | 335 | 2.3 | 1.08 | -9% |
| Drugs | 322 | 2.2 | 0.67 | -22% |
| Vehicle crime | 314 | 2.1 | 0.43 | -9% |
| Burglary | 237 | 1.6 | 0.45 | -0% |
| Possession of weapons | 90 | 0.6 | 0.63 | -10% |
| Robbery | 65 | 0.4 | 0.33 | +103% |
| Theft from the person | 49 | 0.3 | 0.20 | +7% |
| Bicycle theft | 31 | 0.2 | 0.26 | -9% |
Violence and sexual offences in Bridgend district
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bridgend district recorded 5,290 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 42.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Bridgend district
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bridgend district recorded 1,674 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 13.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Bridgend district
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bridgend district recorded 1,507 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 12.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Bridgend district
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bridgend district recorded 1,002 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Bridgend district
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bridgend district recorded 883 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Bridgend district
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bridgend district recorded 545 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Bridgend district
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bridgend district recorded 335 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Bridgend district
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bridgend district recorded 322 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Bridgend district
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bridgend district recorded 314 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Bridgend district
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bridgend district recorded 237 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Bridgend district
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bridgend district recorded 90 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Bridgend district
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bridgend district recorded 65 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 103% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Bridgend district
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bridgend district recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Bridgend district
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bridgend district recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the districts closest to Bridgend district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Bridgend district.
| District | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Bridgend district |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhondda Cynon Taf | 20,613 | 84.9 | +1% |
| Neath Port Talbot | 11,633 | 81.2 | -3% |
| Vale of Glamorgan | 9,784 | 72.1 | -14% |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 6,367 | 108.0 | +29% |
| Swansea | 21,537 | 85.7 | +2% |
| Cardiff | 42,057 | 109.5 | +31% |
| Caerphilly | 18,746 | 106.0 | +27% |
| Blaenau Gwent | 9,956 | 146.7 | +75% |
43 areas within Bridgend district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Bridgend Central had the highest rate (186.1 per 1,000) and Rest Bay the lowest (16.8). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgend Central | Neighbourhood | 10,610 | 1,974 | 186.1 |
| Oldcastle | Neighbourhood | 5,240 | 768 | 146.6 |
| Porthcawl East Central | Neighbourhood | 5,185 | 667 | 128.6 |
| Brackla West | Neighbourhood | 2,665 | 340 | 127.6 |
| Maesteg East | Neighbourhood | 4,627 | 581 | 125.6 |
| Maesteg West | Neighbourhood | 5,843 | 643 | 110.0 |
| Maesteg | Town | 18,520 | 1,838 | 99.2 |
| Bridgend | Town | 52,366 | 5,104 | 97.5 |
| Caerau | Neighbourhood | 6,585 | 591 | 89.7 |
| Newton | Neighbourhood | 3,747 | 336 | 89.7 |
| St Bride's Minor and Ynysawdre | Neighbourhood | 10,085 | 886 | 87.9 |
| Brackla East and Coychurch Lower | Neighbourhood | 4,125 | 361 | 87.5 |
| Bettws | Town | 2,285 | 199 | 87.1 |
| Sarn | Town | 12,666 | 1,089 | 86.0 |
| Cornelly | Neighbourhood | 7,447 | 631 | 84.7 |
| Pyle | Town | 14,846 | 1,171 | 78.9 |
| Aberkenfig | Neighbourhood | 2,581 | 203 | 78.7 |
| Porthcawl | Town | 16,268 | 1,247 | 76.7 |
| Porthcawl West Central | Neighbourhood | 1,609 | 120 | 74.6 |
| Ogmore Vale | Town | 3,085 | 223 | 72.3 |
| Ogmore Vale | Neighbourhood | 3,085 | 223 | 72.3 |
| Coity Higher | Neighbourhood | 13,050 | 916 | 70.2 |
| Pyle, Kenfig Hill and Cefn Cribwr | Neighbourhood | 8,914 | 609 | 68.3 |
| Blackmill | Neighbourhood | 2,544 | 165 | 64.9 |
| Garw Valley | Neighbourhood | 7,768 | 475 | 61.1 |
| Pencoed | Town | 9,957 | 567 | 56.9 |
| Pencoed and Penprysg | Neighbourhood | 9,957 | 567 | 56.9 |
| Brackla West Central | Neighbourhood | 1,378 | 76 | 55.2 |
| Pontycymer | Town | 2,498 | 135 | 54.0 |
| Blaengarw | Town | 1,736 | 89 | 51.3 |
| Trelales | Town | 1,822 | 91 | 49.9 |
| Nant-y-moel | Town | 2,383 | 119 | 49.9 |
| Nant-y-moel | Neighbourhood | 2,383 | 119 | 49.9 |
| Pen-y-fai | Town | 2,331 | 116 | 49.8 |
| Pen-y-fai | Neighbourhood | 2,331 | 116 | 49.8 |
| Pont Rhyd-y-cyff | Town | 1,459 | 70 | 48.0 |
| Brackla East Central | Neighbourhood | 3,811 | 181 | 47.5 |
| Cefn Cribwr | Town | 1,515 | 69 | 45.5 |
| Bryntirion, Laleston and Merthyr Mawr | Neighbourhood | 9,210 | 416 | 45.2 |
| Cefn-glas | Neighbourhood | 4,099 | 163 | 39.8 |
| Llangynwyd | Neighbourhood | 2,924 | 93 | 31.8 |
| Nottage | Neighbourhood | 3,281 | 83 | 25.3 |
| Rest Bay | Neighbourhood | 2,446 | 41 | 16.8 |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Bridgend district over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 718 |
| On or near Supermarket | 545 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 290 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 237 |
| On or near Prison | 210 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 167 |
| On or near Market Street | 148 |
| On or near Llys Gwyn | 127 |
| On or near Dunraven Place | 125 |
| On or near Western Avenue | 95 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bridgend district over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 4,084 | 33.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 2,219 | 18.0% |
| Under investigation | 1,930 | 15.6% |
| Not recorded | 1,674 | 13.6% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 765 | 6.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 686 | 5.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 393 | 3.2% |
| Local resolution | 265 | 2.1% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 184 | 1.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 63 | 0.5% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 40 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 31 | 0.3% |
Bridgend district has an estimated population of 147,530. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bridgend district sits in decile 5.8, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Bridgend district |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 21.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 70.7% |
| Social rented homes | 13.9% |
| Private rented homes | 15.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.8 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 6.0% |
Is Bridgend district a safe place to live?
Bridgend district recorded 83.7 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Bridgend district?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 5,290 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (1,674).
Is crime in Bridgend district going up or down?
Recorded crime in Bridgend district was up 3% on the year before: 12,344 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 12,014 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Bridgend district?
Bridgend district is policed by South Wales. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Bridgend district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.