Crime in Bridgend: statistics, rates and trends

5,104 crimes were recorded in Bridgend in the 12 months to July 2026, 97.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 12% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,054 reports (40% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Bridgend has the 383rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Bridgend was highest in the year to July 2020 (5,625 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (4,360). Over the whole period it rose 9%, 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 Bridgend 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 shoplifting (+28%) and anti-social behaviour (+22%). The largest falls were in theft from the person (-34%) and other crime (-22%).

Violence and sexual offences in Bridgend

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Bridgend recorded 2,054 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (39.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 15% on the year before. It made up 40.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Bridgend

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Bridgend recorded 767 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 15.0% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Bridgend

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Bridgend recorded 639 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 12.5% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Bridgend

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Bridgend recorded 441 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 8.6% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Bridgend

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Bridgend recorded 317 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Bridgend

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Bridgend recorded 229 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Bridgend

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Bridgend recorded 197 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Bridgend

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Bridgend recorded 146 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Bridgend

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Bridgend recorded 105 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Bridgend

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Bridgend recorded 85 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Bridgend

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Bridgend recorded 43 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 169% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Bridgend

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Bridgend recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Bridgend

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Bridgend recorded 21 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 16% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Bridgend

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Bridgend recorded 19 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 down 34% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

9 areas within Bridgend, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Bridgend Central had the highest rate (186.1 per 1,000) and Cefn-glas the lowest (39.8). 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 Bridgend over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Bridgend 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.

Bridgend has an estimated population of 52,366. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Bridgend sits in decile 7.0, less deprived than average. 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 Bridgend. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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