Crime in Merthyr Tydfil district: statistics, rates and trends

6,367 crimes were recorded in Merthyr Tydfil district in the 12 months to July 2026, 108.0 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,425 reports (38% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Merthyr Tydfil district has the 80th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Merthyr Tydfil district was highest in the year to July 2021 (7,227 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (6,367). Over the whole period it fell 11%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Merthyr Tydfil 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, shoplifting, criminal damage and arson.

The largest increases were in robbery (+92%). The largest falls were in possession of weapons (-27%) and shoplifting (-15%).

Violence and sexual offences in Merthyr Tydfil district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Merthyr Tydfil district recorded 2,425 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (41.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 38.1% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Merthyr Tydfil district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Merthyr Tydfil district recorded 823 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 12.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Merthyr Tydfil district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Merthyr Tydfil district recorded 681 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 10.7% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Merthyr Tydfil district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Merthyr Tydfil district recorded 614 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 9.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Merthyr Tydfil district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Merthyr Tydfil district recorded 546 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 8.6% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Merthyr Tydfil district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Merthyr Tydfil district recorded 346 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 5.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Merthyr Tydfil district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Merthyr Tydfil district recorded 276 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 4.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Merthyr Tydfil district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Merthyr Tydfil district recorded 189 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Merthyr Tydfil district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Merthyr Tydfil district recorded 179 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Merthyr Tydfil district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Merthyr Tydfil district recorded 158 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Merthyr Tydfil district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Merthyr Tydfil district recorded 46 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 92% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Merthyr Tydfil district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Merthyr Tydfil district recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Merthyr Tydfil district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Merthyr Tydfil district recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Merthyr Tydfil district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Merthyr Tydfil district recorded 9 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 up 200% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to Merthyr Tydfil district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Merthyr Tydfil district.

16 areas within Merthyr Tydfil district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Park had the highest rate (164.6 per 1,000) and Treharris the lowest (55.1). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Merthyr Tydfil district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Merthyr Tydfil 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.

Merthyr Tydfil district has an estimated population of 58,972. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Merthyr Tydfil district sits in decile 4.1, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Merthyr Tydfil district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.