Crime in Caernarfon: statistics, rates and trends

1,640 crimes were recorded in Caernarfon in the 12 months to July 2026, 159.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 601 reports (37% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Caernarfon has the 41st highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Caernarfon was highest in the year to July 2020 (1,884 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (1,547). Over the whole period it fell 2%, 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 Caernarfon 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, anti-social behaviour, shoplifting.

The largest increases were in burglary (+31%) and drugs (+16%). The largest falls were in other crime (-50%) and anti-social behaviour (-13%).

Violence and sexual offences in Caernarfon

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Caernarfon recorded 601 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (58.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 36.6% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Caernarfon

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Caernarfon recorded 318 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 19.4% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Caernarfon

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Caernarfon recorded 182 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 11.1% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Caernarfon

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Caernarfon recorded 152 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 9.3% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Caernarfon

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Caernarfon recorded 106 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Caernarfon

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Caernarfon recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Caernarfon

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Caernarfon recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Caernarfon

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Caernarfon recorded 38 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 up 31% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Caernarfon

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Caernarfon recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 107% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Caernarfon

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Caernarfon recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 71% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Caernarfon

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Caernarfon recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Caernarfon

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Caernarfon recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 50% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Caernarfon

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Caernarfon recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Caernarfon

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Caernarfon recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.

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

5 areas within Caernarfon, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Canol Tref Caernarfon had the highest rate (289.1 per 1,000) and Hendre the lowest (50.5). 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 Caernarfon over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Caernarfon 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.

Caernarfon has an estimated population of 10,299. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Caernarfon sits in decile 4.6, 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 Caernarfon. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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