Crime in Maesteg: statistics, rates and trends
1,838 crimes were recorded in Maesteg in the 12 months to July 2026, 99.2 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Maesteg at a glance
- Crime trends in Maesteg
- Types of crime in Maesteg
- Maesteg compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Maesteg
- Streets with the most crime in Maesteg
- What happened after crimes were reported in Maesteg
- Population and deprivation in Maesteg
- Questions about crime in Maesteg
- About this data
1,838 crimes were recorded in Maesteg in the 12 months to July 2026, 99.2 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 722 reports (39% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Maesteg has the 364th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Maesteg | Bridgend | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,838 | 12,344 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 99.2 | 83.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -2% | +3% | -1% |
| Population | 18,520 | 147,530 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Maesteg was highest in the year to July 2021 (2,018 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (1,744). 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 1,838 | 99.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,870 | 101.0 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,810 | 97.7 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,880 | 101.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,802 | 97.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,018 | 109.0 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,932 | 104.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,744 | 94.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,884 | 101.7 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 200 |
| June 2026 | 156 |
| May 2026 | 140 |
| April 2026 | 162 |
| March 2026 | 161 |
| February 2026 | 120 |
| January 2026 | 150 |
| December 2025 | 151 |
| November 2025 | 133 |
| October 2025 | 151 |
| September 2025 | 126 |
| August 2025 | 188 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Maesteg 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 shoplifting, public order, criminal damage and arson.
The largest increases were in violence and sexual offences (+16%) and other theft (+11%). The largest falls were in drugs (-51%) and anti-social behaviour (-28%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 722 | 39.0 | 1.14 | +16% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 258 | 13.9 | 0.91 | -28% |
| Shoplifting | 226 | 12.2 | 1.47 | -4% |
| Public order | 199 | 10.7 | 1.62 | -1% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 162 | 8.7 | 1.29 | -5% |
| Other theft | 72 | 3.9 | 0.61 | +11% |
| Vehicle crime | 67 | 3.6 | 0.73 | +2% |
| Burglary | 45 | 2.4 | 0.69 | -13% |
| Other crime | 37 | 2.0 | 0.95 | -16% |
| Drugs | 19 | 1.0 | 0.31 | -51% |
| Possession of weapons | 15 | 0.8 | 0.83 | +88% |
| Robbery | 12 | 0.6 | 0.48 | +100% |
| Theft from the person | 4 | 0.2 | 0.13 | -20% |
Violence and sexual offences in Maesteg
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Maesteg recorded 722 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (39.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 39.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Maesteg
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Maesteg recorded 258 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 28% on the year before. It made up 14.0% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Maesteg
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Maesteg recorded 226 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 12.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Maesteg
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Maesteg recorded 199 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 10.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Maesteg
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Maesteg recorded 162 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Maesteg
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Maesteg recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Maesteg
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Maesteg recorded 67 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Maesteg
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Maesteg recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Maesteg
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Maesteg recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Maesteg
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Maesteg recorded 19 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 51% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Maesteg
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Maesteg recorded 15 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 up 88% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Maesteg
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Maesteg recorded 12 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 100% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Maesteg
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Maesteg recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Maesteg, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Maesteg.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Maesteg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cwmavon | 266 | 52.2 | -47% |
| Sarn | 1,089 | 86.0 | -13% |
| Pyle | 1,171 | 78.9 | -21% |
| Port Talbot | 3,268 | 110.5 | +11% |
| Treherbert | 463 | 80.0 | -19% |
| Treorchy | 649 | 85.2 | -14% |
| Baglan | 926 | 73.2 | -26% |
| Neath | 3,572 | 92.7 | -7% |
4 areas within Maesteg, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Maesteg East had the highest rate (125.6 per 1,000) and Llangynwyd the lowest (31.8). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maesteg East | Neighbourhood | 4,627 | 581 | 125.6 |
| Maesteg West | Neighbourhood | 5,843 | 643 | 110.0 |
| Caerau | Neighbourhood | 6,585 | 591 | 89.7 |
| Llangynwyd | Neighbourhood | 2,924 | 93 | 31.8 |
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 Maesteg over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 135 |
| On or near Supermarket | 109 |
| On or near Llynfi Lane | 63 |
| On or near Oakwood | 49 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 43 |
| On or near Dan-Y-Bryn | 36 |
| On or near Ivor Street | 35 |
| On or near Talbot Street | 35 |
| On or near B4282 | 34 |
| On or near Lewis Road | 31 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Maesteg 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 | 579 | 31.5% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 370 | 20.1% |
| Under investigation | 284 | 15.5% |
| Not recorded | 258 | 14.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 125 | 6.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 82 | 4.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 68 | 3.7% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 36 | 2.0% |
| Local resolution | 26 | 1.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 6 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 2 | 0.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 2 | 0.1% |
Maesteg has an estimated population of 18,520. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Maesteg sits in decile 3.3, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Maesteg |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.7% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.5% |
| Aged 65 and over | 21.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 69.3% |
| Social rented homes | 12.7% |
| Private rented homes | 17.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.3 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 20.7% |
Is Maesteg a safe place to live?
Maesteg recorded 99.2 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 Maesteg?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 722 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (258).
Is crime in Maesteg going up or down?
Recorded crime in Maesteg was down 2% on the year before: 1,838 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,870 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Maesteg?
Maesteg 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 Maesteg. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.