Crime in Neath: statistics, rates and trends
3,572 crimes were recorded in Neath in the 12 months to July 2026, 92.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before.
Table of Contents
3,572 crimes were recorded in Neath in the 12 months to July 2026, 92.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 4% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,593 reports (45% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Neath has the 443rd highest crime rate.
| Measure | Neath | Neath Port Talbot | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 3,572 | 11,633 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 92.7 | 81.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +4% | -3% | -1% |
| Population | 38,522 | 143,249 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Neath was highest in the year to July 2021 (4,285 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (3,231). 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 | 3,572 | 92.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 3,442 | 89.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 3,559 | 92.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 3,231 | 83.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 3,406 | 88.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 4,285 | 111.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 3,906 | 101.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 3,882 | 100.8 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,435 | 89.2 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 400 |
| June 2026 | 316 |
| May 2026 | 327 |
| April 2026 | 300 |
| March 2026 | 294 |
| February 2026 | 270 |
| January 2026 | 271 |
| December 2025 | 246 |
| November 2025 | 282 |
| October 2025 | 316 |
| September 2025 | 264 |
| August 2025 | 286 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Neath 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.
The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+71%) and shoplifting (+39%). The largest falls were in drugs (-29%) and anti-social behaviour (-25%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,593 | 41.4 | 1.21 | +12% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 495 | 12.8 | 0.84 | -25% |
| Public order | 465 | 12.1 | 1.82 | +21% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 228 | 5.9 | 0.87 | -11% |
| Other theft | 201 | 5.2 | 0.82 | +26% |
| Shoplifting | 190 | 4.9 | 0.60 | +39% |
| Drugs | 107 | 2.8 | 0.85 | -29% |
| Other crime | 96 | 2.5 | 1.18 | +22% |
| Vehicle crime | 73 | 1.9 | 0.38 | -14% |
| Burglary | 52 | 1.3 | 0.38 | -13% |
| Possession of weapons | 36 | 0.9 | 0.96 | +71% |
| Robbery | 17 | 0.4 | 0.33 | +143% |
| Theft from the person | 11 | 0.3 | 0.17 | -21% |
| Bicycle theft | 8 | 0.2 | 0.25 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Neath
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Neath recorded 1,593 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (41.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 12% on the year before. It made up 44.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Neath
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Neath recorded 495 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 13.9% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Neath
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Neath recorded 465 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 13.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Neath
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Neath recorded 228 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Neath
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Neath recorded 201 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Neath
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Neath recorded 190 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 39% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Neath
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Neath recorded 107 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 29% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Neath
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Neath recorded 96 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 22% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Neath
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Neath recorded 73 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Neath
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Neath recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Neath
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Neath recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 71% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Neath
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Neath recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 143% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Neath
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Neath recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Neath
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Neath recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Neath, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Neath.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Neath |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baglan | 926 | 73.2 | -21% |
| Cwmavon | 266 | 52.2 | -44% |
| Clydach (Swansea) | 521 | 71.1 | -23% |
| Port Talbot | 3,268 | 110.5 | +19% |
| Pontardawe | 474 | 81.6 | -12% |
| Swansea | 18,084 | 99.7 | +8% |
| Ystalyfera | 680 | 75.1 | -19% |
| Maesteg | 1,838 | 99.2 | +7% |
10 areas within Neath, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Neath North had the highest rate (288.0 per 1,000) and Bryn-coch North the lowest (15.8). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neath North | Neighbourhood | 3,865 | 1,113 | 288.0 |
| Neath East | Neighbourhood | 6,216 | 733 | 117.9 |
| Neath South | Neighbourhood | 4,778 | 405 | 84.8 |
| Coedffranc Central | Neighbourhood | 5,482 | 394 | 71.9 |
| Cadoxton | Neighbourhood | 1,542 | 98 | 63.6 |
| Dyffryn | Neighbourhood | 5,479 | 347 | 63.3 |
| Coedffranc North | Neighbourhood | 2,279 | 141 | 61.9 |
| Bryn-coch South | Neighbourhood | 3,171 | 196 | 61.8 |
| Cimla and Pelenna | Neighbourhood | 4,773 | 212 | 44.4 |
| Bryn-coch North | Neighbourhood | 2,091 | 33 | 15.8 |
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 Neath over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 141 |
| On or near Croft Road | 102 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 85 |
| On or near Green Street | 82 |
| On or near Summerfield Place | 66 |
| On or near Maes-Yr-Hâf Road | 61 |
| On or near Eva Street | 57 |
| On or near Old Market Street | 54 |
| On or near Fairyland | 53 |
| On or near Cattle Street | 50 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Neath 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 | 1,259 | 35.2% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 657 | 18.4% |
| Under investigation | 534 | 14.9% |
| Not recorded | 495 | 13.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 203 | 5.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 169 | 4.7% |
| Local resolution | 88 | 2.5% |
| Court result unavailable | 84 | 2.4% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 64 | 1.8% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 10 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 6 | 0.2% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 2 | 0.1% |
Neath has an estimated population of 38,522. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Neath sits in decile 4.9, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Neath |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 60.1% |
| Aged 65 and over | 23.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 66.8% |
| Social rented homes | 19.0% |
| Private rented homes | 14.0% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.9 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 19.0% |
Is Neath a safe place to live?
Neath recorded 92.7 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 Neath?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,593 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (495).
Is crime in Neath going up or down?
Recorded crime in Neath was up 4% on the year before: 3,572 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 3,442 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Neath?
Neath 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 Neath. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.