Crime in Torfaen: statistics, rates and trends
11,796 crimes were recorded in Torfaen in the 12 months to July 2026, 125.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Torfaen at a glance
- Crime trends in Torfaen
- Types of crime in Torfaen
- Torfaen compared with nearby districts
- Areas within Torfaen
- Streets with the most crime in Torfaen
- What happened after crimes were reported in Torfaen
- Population and deprivation in Torfaen
- Questions about crime in Torfaen
- About this data
11,796 crimes were recorded in Torfaen in the 12 months to July 2026, 125.3 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 4,225 reports (36% of the total).
Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Torfaen has the 39th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Torfaen | Wales | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 11,796 | 304,944 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 125.3 | 95.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +4% | +0% | -1% |
| Population | 94,119 | 3,186,581 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Torfaen was highest in the year to July 2026 (11,796 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (9,338). Over the whole period it rose 23%, 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 | 11,796 | 125.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 11,335 | 120.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 11,184 | 118.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 10,231 | 108.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 9,470 | 100.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 9,338 | 99.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 10,374 | 110.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 9,733 | 103.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 9,606 | 102.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 1,242 |
| June 2026 | 952 |
| May 2026 | 969 |
| April 2026 | 1,041 |
| March 2026 | 962 |
| February 2026 | 858 |
| January 2026 | 990 |
| December 2025 | 894 |
| November 2025 | 833 |
| October 2025 | 970 |
| September 2025 | 926 |
| August 2025 | 1,159 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Torfaen 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 violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in vehicle crime (+36%) and robbery (+30%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 4,225 | 44.9 | 1.31 | -4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 2,180 | 23.2 | 1.51 | +7% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 1,202 | 12.8 | 1.88 | +12% |
| Public order | 1,194 | 12.7 | 1.91 | -0% |
| Shoplifting | 877 | 9.3 | 1.12 | +15% |
| Other theft | 551 | 5.9 | 0.92 | +7% |
| Burglary | 395 | 4.2 | 1.19 | +13% |
| Vehicle crime | 379 | 4.0 | 0.82 | +36% |
| Other crime | 324 | 3.4 | 1.63 | +4% |
| Drugs | 255 | 2.7 | 0.83 | +26% |
| Possession of weapons | 100 | 1.1 | 1.09 | +16% |
| Robbery | 65 | 0.7 | 0.51 | +30% |
| Bicycle theft | 28 | 0.3 | 0.36 | +17% |
| Theft from the person | 21 | 0.2 | 0.13 | -5% |
Violence and sexual offences in Torfaen
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Torfaen recorded 4,225 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (44.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 35.8% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Torfaen
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Torfaen recorded 2,180 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 18.5% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Torfaen
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Torfaen recorded 1,202 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 10.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Torfaen
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Torfaen recorded 1,194 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 10.1% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Torfaen
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Torfaen recorded 877 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Torfaen
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Torfaen recorded 551 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 up 7% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Torfaen
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Torfaen recorded 395 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Torfaen
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Torfaen recorded 379 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Torfaen
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Torfaen recorded 324 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Torfaen
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Torfaen recorded 255 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Torfaen
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Torfaen recorded 100 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Torfaen
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Torfaen recorded 65 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Torfaen
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Torfaen recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Torfaen
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Torfaen recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the districts closest to Torfaen, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Torfaen.
| District | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Torfaen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newport | 22,735 | 135.4 | +8% |
| Caerphilly | 18,746 | 106.0 | -15% |
| Monmouthshire | 7,550 | 79.5 | -37% |
| Blaenau Gwent | 9,956 | 146.7 | +17% |
| Cardiff | 42,057 | 109.5 | -13% |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 6,367 | 108.0 | -14% |
| Rhondda Cynon Taf | 20,613 | 84.9 | -32% |
| Vale of Glamorgan | 9,784 | 72.1 | -42% |
23 areas within Torfaen, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Llantarnam had the highest rate (314.0 per 1,000) and Llanfrechfa and Ponthir the lowest (33.7). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Llantarnam | Neighbourhood | 6,902 | 2,167 | 314.0 |
| Pontypool Fawr | Neighbourhood | 7,467 | 1,275 | 170.8 |
| St. Dials | Neighbourhood | 4,576 | 731 | 159.7 |
| Blaenavon | Neighbourhood | 6,150 | 897 | 145.9 |
| Cwmbrân | Town | 45,350 | 6,227 | 137.3 |
| Blaenavon | Town | 4,688 | 598 | 127.6 |
| Pontnewydd | Neighbourhood | 7,446 | 913 | 122.6 |
| Llanyrafon | Neighbourhood | 3,130 | 368 | 117.6 |
| Trevethin and Penygarn | Neighbourhood | 5,342 | 616 | 115.3 |
| Pontnewynydd and Snatchwood | Neighbourhood | 3,454 | 386 | 111.8 |
| Greenmeadow | Neighbourhood | 2,404 | 267 | 111.1 |
| Upper Cwmbran | Neighbourhood | 6,849 | 747 | 109.1 |
| Abersychan | Town | 7,217 | 768 | 106.4 |
| Abersychan | Neighbourhood | 7,217 | 768 | 106.4 |
| Panteg | Neighbourhood | 7,501 | 794 | 105.9 |
| Pontypool | Town | 27,702 | 2,730 | 98.5 |
| Two Locks | Neighbourhood | 5,858 | 510 | 87.1 |
| Fairwater | Neighbourhood | 5,006 | 433 | 86.5 |
| Coed Eva | Neighbourhood | 2,434 | 207 | 85.0 |
| New Inn | Neighbourhood | 5,770 | 359 | 62.2 |
| Croesyceiliog | Neighbourhood | 5,220 | 311 | 59.6 |
| Ponthir | Town | 1,393 | 47 | 33.7 |
| Llanfrechfa and Ponthir | Neighbourhood | 1,393 | 47 | 33.7 |
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 Torfaen over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 1,077 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 452 |
| On or near Supermarket | 305 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 279 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 223 |
| On or near Twm Barlwm View | 164 |
| On or near Plas Craig | 105 |
| On or near Hospital | 99 |
| On or near Llantarnam Close | 78 |
| On or near Commercial Street | 76 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Torfaen 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 | 3,750 | 31.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 2,575 | 21.8% |
| Not recorded | 2,180 | 18.5% |
| Under investigation | 1,703 | 14.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 457 | 3.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 401 | 3.4% |
| Local resolution | 251 | 2.1% |
| Court result unavailable | 249 | 2.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 91 | 0.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 56 | 0.5% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 30 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 29 | 0.2% |
Torfaen has an estimated population of 94,119. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Torfaen sits in decile 5.0, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Torfaen |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 21.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.0% |
| Social rented homes | 23.8% |
| Private rented homes | 11.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.0 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 7.5% |
Is Torfaen a safe place to live?
Torfaen recorded 125.3 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher 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 Torfaen?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 4,225 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (2,180).
Is crime in Torfaen going up or down?
Recorded crime in Torfaen was up 4% on the year before: 11,796 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 11,335 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Torfaen?
Torfaen is policed by Gwent. 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 Torfaen. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.