Crime in Carmarthen: statistics, rates and trends
2,588 crimes were recorded in Carmarthen in the 12 months to July 2026, 165.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 1% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Carmarthen at a glance
- Crime trends in Carmarthen
- Types of crime in Carmarthen
- Carmarthen compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Carmarthen
- Streets with the most crime in Carmarthen
- What happened after crimes were reported in Carmarthen
- Population and deprivation in Carmarthen
- Questions about crime in Carmarthen
- About this data
2,588 crimes were recorded in Carmarthen in the 12 months to July 2026, 165.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 1% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,136 reports (44% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Carmarthen has the 36th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Carmarthen | Carmarthenshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,588 | 16,454 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 165.1 | 86.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +1% | +3% | -1% |
| Population | 15,680 | 190,800 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Carmarthen was highest in the year to July 2026 (2,588 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (1,498). Over the whole period it rose 4%, 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 | 2,588 | 165.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,553 | 162.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,498 | 95.5 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,395 | 152.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,545 | 162.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,107 | 134.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,321 | 148.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,266 | 144.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,481 | 158.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 239 |
| June 2026 | 211 |
| May 2026 | 242 |
| April 2026 | 272 |
| March 2026 | 245 |
| February 2026 | 222 |
| January 2026 | 185 |
| December 2025 | 208 |
| November 2025 | 213 |
| October 2025 | 207 |
| September 2025 | 159 |
| August 2025 | 185 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Carmarthen 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, shoplifting, public order.
The largest increases were in burglary (+29%) and anti-social behaviour (+20%). The largest falls were in possession of weapons (-15%) and public order (-13%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,136 | 72.4 | 2.12 | -3% |
| Shoplifting | 281 | 17.9 | 2.16 | +16% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 255 | 16.3 | 1.06 | +20% |
| Public order | 206 | 13.1 | 1.98 | -13% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 190 | 12.1 | 1.79 | -11% |
| Other theft | 151 | 9.6 | 1.51 | +11% |
| Drugs | 115 | 7.3 | 2.24 | -2% |
| Burglary | 75 | 4.8 | 1.35 | +29% |
| Other crime | 70 | 4.5 | 2.11 | -9% |
| Vehicle crime | 47 | 3.0 | 0.61 | +18% |
| Possession of weapons | 22 | 1.4 | 1.44 | -15% |
| Theft from the person | 21 | 1.3 | 0.79 | +24% |
| Robbery | 10 | 0.6 | 0.47 | +25% |
| Bicycle theft | 9 | 0.6 | 0.70 | +200% |
Violence and sexual offences in Carmarthen
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Carmarthen recorded 1,136 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (72.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 43.9% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Carmarthen
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Carmarthen recorded 281 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (17.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 10.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Carmarthen
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Carmarthen recorded 255 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 9.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Carmarthen
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Carmarthen recorded 206 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Carmarthen
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Carmarthen recorded 190 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Carmarthen
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Carmarthen recorded 151 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 5.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Carmarthen
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Carmarthen recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Carmarthen
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Carmarthen recorded 75 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Carmarthen
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Carmarthen recorded 70 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Carmarthen
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Carmarthen recorded 47 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 18% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Carmarthen
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Carmarthen recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Carmarthen
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Carmarthen recorded 21 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Carmarthen
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Carmarthen recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Carmarthen
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Carmarthen recorded 9 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Carmarthen, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Carmarthen.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Carmarthen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Llanelli | 6,189 | 138.3 | -16% |
| Ammanford | 888 | 111.9 | -32% |
| Pontarddulais | 351 | 51.5 | -69% |
| Loughor | 236 | 41.9 | -75% |
| Gorseinon | 781 | 57.5 | -65% |
| Gowerton | 508 | 62.3 | -62% |
| Clydach (Swansea) | 521 | 71.1 | -57% |
| Pontardawe | 474 | 81.6 | -51% |
3 areas within Carmarthen, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Carmarthen Town North and South had the highest rate (201.3 per 1,000) and Carmarthen Town West the lowest (88.0). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmarthen Town North and South | Neighbourhood | 9,346 | 1,881 | 201.3 |
| Llangunnor | Neighbourhood | 2,614 | 380 | 145.4 |
| Carmarthen Town West | Neighbourhood | 5,696 | 501 | 88.0 |
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 Carmarthen over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 198 |
| On or near Hospital | 126 |
| On or near Brynglas Crescent | 112 |
| On or near Parking Area | 103 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 85 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 80 |
| On or near Lammas Street | 63 |
| On or near Chapel Street | 49 |
| On or near Water Street | 48 |
| On or near Llansteffan Road | 48 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Carmarthen 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 | 976 | 37.7% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 439 | 17.0% |
| Under investigation | 314 | 12.1% |
| Not recorded | 255 | 9.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 178 | 6.9% |
| Status update unavailable | 133 | 5.1% |
| Local resolution | 100 | 3.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 84 | 3.2% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 60 | 2.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 20 | 0.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 12 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 9 | 0.3% |
Carmarthen has an estimated population of 15,680. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Carmarthen sits in decile 5.7, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Carmarthen |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 23.0% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 59.0% |
| Social rented homes | 19.8% |
| Private rented homes | 21.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.7 |
Is Carmarthen a safe place to live?
Carmarthen recorded 165.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher than 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 Carmarthen?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,136 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (281).
Is crime in Carmarthen going up or down?
Recorded crime in Carmarthen was up 1% on the year before: 2,588 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,553 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Carmarthen?
Carmarthen is policed by Dyfed-Powys. 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 Carmarthen. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.