Crime in Aberystwyth: statistics, rates and trends

1,742 crimes were recorded in Aberystwyth in the 12 months to July 2026, 116.5 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 13% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 758 reports (44% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Aberystwyth has the 199th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Aberystwyth was highest in the year to July 2022 (2,747 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (1,447). Over the whole period it fell 16%, 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 Aberystwyth 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, criminal damage and arson, drugs.

The largest increases were in shoplifting (+22%). The largest falls were in drugs (-37%) and criminal damage and arson (-25%).

Violence and sexual offences in Aberystwyth

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Aberystwyth recorded 758 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (50.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 43.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Aberystwyth

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Aberystwyth recorded 183 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 10.5% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Aberystwyth

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Aberystwyth recorded 145 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Aberystwyth

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Aberystwyth recorded 141 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Aberystwyth

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Aberystwyth recorded 136 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Aberystwyth

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Aberystwyth recorded 118 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 6.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Aberystwyth

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Aberystwyth recorded 103 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Aberystwyth

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Aberystwyth recorded 55 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Aberystwyth

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Aberystwyth recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Aberystwyth

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Aberystwyth recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 71% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Aberystwyth

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Aberystwyth recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 133% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Aberystwyth

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Aberystwyth recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Aberystwyth

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Aberystwyth recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 60% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Aberystwyth

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Aberystwyth recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 58% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Aberystwyth, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Aberystwyth.

4 areas within Aberystwyth, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Aberystwyth Rheidol had the highest rate (206.3 per 1,000) and Faenor the lowest (27.9). 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 Aberystwyth over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Aberystwyth 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.

Aberystwyth has an estimated population of 14,950. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Aberystwyth sits in decile 6.4, close to the middle. 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 Aberystwyth. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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