Crime in Ferndale and Maerdy: statistics, rates and trends
599 crimes were recorded in Ferndale and Maerdy in the 12 months to July 2026, 82.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Ferndale and Maerdy at a glance
- Crime trends in Ferndale and Maerdy
- Types of crime in Ferndale and Maerdy
- Ferndale and Maerdy compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Ferndale and Maerdy
- What happened after crimes were reported in Ferndale and Maerdy
- Population and deprivation in Ferndale and Maerdy
- Questions about crime in Ferndale and Maerdy
- About this data
599 crimes were recorded in Ferndale and Maerdy in the 12 months to July 2026, 82.3 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 261 reports (44% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Ferndale and Maerdy has the 1,765th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Ferndale and Maerdy | Rhondda Cynon Taf | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 599 | 20,613 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 82.3 | 84.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -12% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 7,281 | 242,844 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Ferndale and Maerdy was highest in the year to July 2021 (974 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (599). Over the whole period it fell 14%, 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 | 599 | 82.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 684 | 93.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 790 | 108.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 700 | 96.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 798 | 109.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 974 | 133.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 810 | 111.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 718 | 98.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 698 | 95.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 72 |
| June 2026 | 54 |
| May 2026 | 53 |
| April 2026 | 44 |
| March 2026 | 40 |
| February 2026 | 46 |
| January 2026 | 45 |
| December 2025 | 37 |
| November 2025 | 46 |
| October 2025 | 56 |
| September 2025 | 50 |
| August 2025 | 56 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Ferndale and Maerdy 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, other crime.
The largest increases were in public order (+23%). The largest falls were in burglary (-52%) and other theft (-51%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 261 | 35.8 | 1.05 | -17% |
| Public order | 79 | 10.9 | 1.63 | +23% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 66 | 9.1 | 0.59 | -24% |
| Shoplifting | 43 | 5.9 | 0.71 | +187% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 42 | 5.8 | 0.85 | -36% |
| Drugs | 27 | 3.7 | 1.13 | +59% |
| Other crime | 20 | 2.7 | 1.30 | +43% |
| Other theft | 20 | 2.7 | 0.43 | -51% |
| Vehicle crime | 19 | 2.6 | 0.53 | -24% |
| Burglary | 14 | 1.9 | 0.54 | -52% |
| Possession of weapons | 5 | 0.7 | 0.71 | -38% |
| Robbery | 3 | 0.4 | 0.31 | +200% |
Violence and sexual offences in Ferndale and Maerdy
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Ferndale and Maerdy recorded 261 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 43.6% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Ferndale and Maerdy
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Ferndale and Maerdy recorded 79 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 13.2% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Ferndale and Maerdy
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Ferndale and Maerdy recorded 66 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 11.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Ferndale and Maerdy
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Ferndale and Maerdy recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 187% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Ferndale and Maerdy
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Ferndale and Maerdy recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 7.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Ferndale and Maerdy
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Ferndale and Maerdy recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 59% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Ferndale and Maerdy
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Ferndale and Maerdy recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 43% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Ferndale and Maerdy
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Ferndale and Maerdy recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 51% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Ferndale and Maerdy
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Ferndale and Maerdy recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Ferndale and Maerdy
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Ferndale and Maerdy recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 52% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Ferndale and Maerdy
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Ferndale and Maerdy recorded 5 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 38% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Ferndale and Maerdy
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Ferndale and Maerdy recorded 3 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 200% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Ferndale and Maerdy, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Ferndale and Maerdy.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Ferndale and Maerdy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ystrad | 517 | 87.5 | +6% |
| Pentre | 418 | 79.2 | -4% |
| Treorchy | 649 | 85.2 | +4% |
| Aberaman | 881 | 84.5 | +3% |
| Tylorstown and Ynyshir | 709 | 94.9 | +15% |
| Tonypandy | 272 | 76.6 | -7% |
| Trealaw | 290 | 70.2 | -15% |
| Aberdare East | 1,125 | 162.8 | +98% |
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 Ferndale and Maerdy over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Wilson Place | 30 |
| On or near Oakland Terrace | 25 |
| On or near Excelsior Terrace | 23 |
| On or near Ceridwen Street | 22 |
| On or near Highfield | 22 |
| On or near Maerdy Road | 22 |
| On or near Oxford Street | 20 |
| On or near A4233 | 19 |
| On or near High Street | 19 |
| On or near Wood Street | 19 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Ferndale and Maerdy 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 | 224 | 37.4% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 126 | 21.0% |
| Under investigation | 89 | 14.9% |
| Not recorded | 66 | 11.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 35 | 5.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 27 | 4.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 17 | 2.8% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 9 | 1.5% |
| Local resolution | 5 | 0.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.2% |
Ferndale and Maerdy has an estimated population of 7,281. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Ferndale and Maerdy sits in decile 3.0, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Ferndale and Maerdy |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.0% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 59.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 23.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 63.6% |
| Social rented homes | 15.1% |
| Private rented homes | 21.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.0 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 44.8% |
Is Ferndale and Maerdy a safe place to live?
Ferndale and Maerdy recorded 82.3 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 Ferndale and Maerdy?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 261 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by public order (79).
Is crime in Ferndale and Maerdy going up or down?
Recorded crime in Ferndale and Maerdy was down 12% on the year before: 599 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 684 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Ferndale and Maerdy?
Ferndale and Maerdy 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 Ferndale and Maerdy. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.