Crime in Kidwelly and St Ishmael: statistics, rates and trends
339 crimes were recorded in Kidwelly and St Ishmael in the 12 months to August 2026, 66.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and up 47% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime map
- Crime in Kidwelly and St Ishmael at a glance
- Crime trends in Kidwelly and St Ishmael
- Types of crime in Kidwelly and St Ishmael
- Kidwelly and St Ishmael compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Kidwelly and St Ishmael
- What happened after crimes were reported in Kidwelly and St Ishmael
- Demographics of Kidwelly and St Ishmael
- Questions about crime in Kidwelly and St Ishmael
- About this data
Crime map
Violence and sexual offences (165), criminal damage and arson (48) and anti-social behaviour (33) made up 73% of all recorded crime. Its crime rate ranks 2,350th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site (1 = highest), in the lower half.
| Measure | Kidwelly and St Ishmael | Carmarthenshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to August 2026 | 339 | 16,483 | 5,618,064 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 66.9 | 86.4 | 96.7 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +47% | +4% | -1% |
| Population | 5,069 | 190,800 | 58,127,638 |
Recorded crime in Kidwelly and St Ishmael peaked in the year to August 2018 (407 crimes) and was lowest in the year to August 2024 (190). Between the years to August 2018 and 2026 it fell 17%, while across England and Wales it fell 4%.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to August 2026 | 339 | 66.9 | 96.7 |
| Year to August 2025 | 231 | 45.6 | 97.2 |
| Year to August 2024 | 190 | 37.5 | 97.9 |
| Year to August 2023 | 226 | 44.6 | n/a |
| Year to August 2022 | 271 | 53.5 | 102.0 |
| Year to August 2021 | 247 | 48.7 | 101.4 |
| Year to August 2020 | 307 | 60.6 | 102.7 |
| Year to August 2019 | 308 | 60.8 | 101.7 |
| Year to August 2018 | 407 | 80.3 | 100.8 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| August 2026 | 31 |
| July 2026 | 49 |
| June 2026 | 31 |
| May 2026 | 30 |
| April 2026 | 30 |
| March 2026 | 40 |
| February 2026 | 14 |
| January 2026 | 23 |
| December 2025 | 23 |
| November 2025 | 27 |
| October 2025 | 24 |
| September 2025 | 17 |
Compared with England and Wales, Kidwelly and St Ishmael recorded notably more criminal damage and arson (40% above the national rate), and notably less anti-social behaviour (58% below) and other theft (39% below). On the year before, criminal damage and arson rose from 25 to 48 and anti-social behaviour rose from 23 to 33.
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 165 | 32.6 | 34.2 | +31% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 48 | 9.5 | 6.7 | +92% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 33 | 6.5 | 15.4 | +43% |
| Public order | 32 | 6.3 | 6.7 | n/a |
| Other theft | 20 | 3.9 | 6.4 | n/a |
| Burglary | 17 | 3.4 | 3.6 | n/a |
| Drugs | 7 | 1.4 | 3.3 | n/a |
| Vehicle crime | 7 | 1.4 | 5.0 | n/a |
| Other crime | 6 | 1.2 | 2.1 | n/a |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.4 | 1.7 | n/a |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.2 | 0.8 | n/a |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.2 | 1.0 | n/a |
What each category covers: crime categories.
5 of the 8 nearest neighbourhoods have a higher crime rate than Kidwelly and St Ishmael; the highest is Carmarthen Town North and South (204.8 per 1,000) and the lowest Llangyndeyrn (36.7).
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Kidwelly and St Ishmael |
|---|---|---|---|
| Llangyndeyrn | 196 | 36.7 | -45% |
| Pembrey | 251 | 60.0 | -10% |
| Burry Port | 470 | 111.1 | +66% |
| Hengoed | 330 | 75.0 | +12% |
| St Clears and Llansteffan | 288 | 52.9 | -21% |
| Carmarthen Town West | 485 | 85.1 | +27% |
| Carmarthen Town North and South | 1,914 | 204.8 | +206% |
| Lliedi | 642 | 117.9 | +76% |
The 10 locations below account for 54% of the crime recorded in Kidwelly and St Ishmael over the 12 months to August 2026; the most were recorded at “Parking Area” (40).
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 40 |
| On or near Ger Y Plas | 27 |
| On or near Llys Gwenllian | 20 |
| On or near Ger-Y-Gwendraeth | 18 |
| On or near Clos Yr Helyg | 15 |
| On or near Hillfield Villas | 15 |
| On or near West Hill Crescent | 14 |
| On or near Morfa Maen | 12 |
| On or near Water Street | 12 |
| On or near Lady Street | 11 |
Of the 306 crimes in Kidwelly and St Ishmael with a recorded outcome, 22% ended with the investigation complete and no suspect identified, against 35% across England and Wales; 2.3% were awaiting a court outcome (England and Wales: 5.2%). The 33 anti-social behaviour reports have no outcome and are left out.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 152 | 49.7% | 34.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 66 | 21.6% | 35.3% |
| Under investigation | 37 | 12.1% | 11.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 18 | 5.9% | 4.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 9 | 2.9% | 1.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 9 | 2.9% | 2.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 7 | 2.3% | 5.2% |
| Local resolution | 5 | 1.6% | 3.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 2 | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.3% | 0.3% |
Kidwelly and St Ishmael has an estimated population of 5,069 (ONS, mid-2024). Compared with England and Wales it has an older population (29%, against 19%), more retired residents (32%, against 22%) and fewer households without a car (15%, against 23%). On the Wales WIMD 2025, the small areas (LSOAs) that make up Kidwelly and St Ishmael average decile 5.2 (1 = most deprived), close to the middle.
| Measure | Kidwelly and St Ishmael | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 15.2% | 18.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 29.4% | 18.9% |
| Residents 16+ in work | 47.7% | 57.2% |
| Residents 16+ unemployed | 2.3% | 3.4% |
| Residents 16+ retired | 32.1% | 21.6% |
| Residents 16+ who are students | 5.7% | 7.9% |
| Residents 16+ with Level 4 qualifications or above (degree, HND and similar) | 33.6% | 33.8% |
| Residents 16+ with no qualifications | 18.5% | 18.2% |
| Households with no car or van | 14.9% | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 73.6% | 62.5% |
| Social rented homes | 12.8% | 17.1% |
| Private rented homes | 13.4% | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.2 | 5.5 (Wales) |
Is Kidwelly and St Ishmael a safe place to live?
Kidwelly and St Ishmael recorded 66.9 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to August 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.7, and ranks 2,350th of the 3,911 neighbourhoods on this site by crime rate (1 = highest). The categories most above the national rate were criminal damage and arson.
What is the most common crime in Kidwelly and St Ishmael?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 165 reports in the 12 months to August 2026, followed by criminal damage and arson (48).
Is crime in Kidwelly and St Ishmael going up or down?
Recorded crime in Kidwelly and St Ishmael was up 47% on the year before: 339 crimes in the 12 months to August 2026 against 231 in the previous 12 months.
What is the population of Kidwelly and St Ishmael?
About 5,069 people (ONS mid-2024 estimate), 29% of them aged 65 or over (England and Wales: 19%).
Which police force covers Kidwelly and St Ishmael?
Kidwelly and St Ishmael is policed by Dyfed-Powys.
Police-recorded crime from data.police.uk (September 2017 to August 2026), ONS population estimates and Census 2021. Definitions and limitations: methodology.