Crime in Aberdare: statistics, rates and trends
3,655 crimes were recorded in Aberdare in the 12 months to July 2026, 95.4 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 9% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Aberdare at a glance
- Crime trends in Aberdare
- Types of crime in Aberdare
- Aberdare compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Aberdare
- Streets with the most crime in Aberdare
- What happened after crimes were reported in Aberdare
- Population and deprivation in Aberdare
- Questions about crime in Aberdare
- About this data
3,655 crimes were recorded in Aberdare in the 12 months to July 2026, 95.4 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 9% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,698 reports (46% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Aberdare has the 411th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Aberdare | Rhondda Cynon Taf | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 3,655 | 20,613 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 95.4 | 84.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -9% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 38,302 | 242,844 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Aberdare was highest in the year to July 2021 (4,483 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (3,655). 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 | 3,655 | 95.4 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 4,016 | 104.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 4,200 | 109.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 4,106 | 107.2 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 4,094 | 106.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 4,483 | 117.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 4,236 | 110.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 4,146 | 108.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 4,269 | 111.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 379 |
| June 2026 | 318 |
| May 2026 | 331 |
| April 2026 | 275 |
| March 2026 | 285 |
| February 2026 | 268 |
| January 2026 | 330 |
| December 2025 | 281 |
| November 2025 | 317 |
| October 2025 | 293 |
| September 2025 | 248 |
| August 2025 | 330 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Aberdare 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, public order.
The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+19%). The largest falls were in other crime (-35%) and vehicle crime (-35%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,698 | 44.3 | 1.29 | -1% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 526 | 13.7 | 0.90 | -18% |
| Public order | 449 | 11.7 | 1.76 | -15% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 303 | 7.9 | 1.17 | +3% |
| Other theft | 152 | 4.0 | 0.62 | -6% |
| Shoplifting | 126 | 3.3 | 0.40 | -30% |
| Vehicle crime | 91 | 2.4 | 0.48 | -35% |
| Other crime | 85 | 2.2 | 1.05 | -35% |
| Drugs | 79 | 2.1 | 0.63 | -17% |
| Burglary | 77 | 2.0 | 0.57 | -4% |
| Possession of weapons | 38 | 1.0 | 1.02 | +19% |
| Robbery | 16 | 0.4 | 0.31 | +433% |
| Theft from the person | 15 | 0.4 | 0.23 | +15% |
Violence and sexual offences in Aberdare
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Aberdare recorded 1,698 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (44.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 46.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Aberdare
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Aberdare recorded 526 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 14.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Aberdare
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Aberdare recorded 449 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 12.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Aberdare
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Aberdare recorded 303 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Aberdare
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Aberdare recorded 152 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Aberdare
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Aberdare recorded 126 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 30% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Aberdare
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Aberdare recorded 91 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Aberdare
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Aberdare recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Aberdare
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Aberdare recorded 79 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 2.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Aberdare
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Aberdare recorded 77 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Aberdare
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Aberdare recorded 38 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Aberdare
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Aberdare recorded 16 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 433% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Aberdare
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Aberdare recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Aberdare, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Aberdare.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Aberdare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Ash | 1,051 | 87.8 | -8% |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 4,357 | 113.4 | +19% |
| Treorchy | 649 | 85.2 | -11% |
| Treherbert | 463 | 80.0 | -16% |
| Rhondda | 1,230 | 91.8 | -4% |
| Tonypandy | 1,365 | 79.2 | -17% |
| Treharris | 342 | 55.1 | -42% |
| Porth | 1,262 | 97.9 | +3% |
6 areas within Aberdare, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Aberdare East had the highest rate (162.8 per 1,000) and Aberdare West and Llwydcoed the lowest (68.0). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdare East | Neighbourhood | 6,910 | 1,125 | 162.8 |
| Cwmbach | Neighbourhood | 5,212 | 532 | 102.1 |
| Pen-y-waun | Neighbourhood | 3,044 | 308 | 101.2 |
| Aberaman | Neighbourhood | 10,430 | 881 | 84.5 |
| Hirwaun, Penderyn and Rhigos | Neighbourhood | 6,156 | 435 | 70.7 |
| Aberdare West and Llwydcoed | Neighbourhood | 9,807 | 667 | 68.0 |
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 Aberdare over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 170 |
| On or near Parking Area | 102 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 88 |
| On or near Aberdare Bus Station | 81 |
| On or near Commercial Street | 62 |
| On or near Ty Fry | 53 |
| On or near Nightclub | 49 |
| On or near Bronallt Terrace | 47 |
| On or near John Street | 44 |
| On or near Church Street | 43 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Aberdare 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 | 1,385 | 37.9% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 642 | 17.6% |
| Not recorded | 526 | 14.4% |
| Under investigation | 509 | 13.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 172 | 4.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 171 | 4.7% |
| Local resolution | 96 | 2.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 87 | 2.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 39 | 1.1% |
| Offender given a caution | 14 | 0.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 9 | 0.2% |
| Suspect charged as part of another case | 3 | 0.1% |
Aberdare has an estimated population of 38,302. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Aberdare sits in decile 4.2, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Aberdare |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.8% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 66.3% |
| Social rented homes | 16.1% |
| Private rented homes | 17.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.2 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 7.9% |
Is Aberdare a safe place to live?
Aberdare recorded 95.4 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Aberdare?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,698 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (526).
Is crime in Aberdare going up or down?
Recorded crime in Aberdare was down 9% on the year before: 3,655 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 4,016 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Aberdare?
Aberdare 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 Aberdare. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.