Crime in Pontypool: statistics, rates and trends

2,730 crimes were recorded in Pontypool in the 12 months to July 2026, 98.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,070 reports (39% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Pontypool has the 374th highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Pontypool was highest in the year to July 2020 (2,827 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2022 (2,121). Over the whole period it rose 12%, 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 Pontypool 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 criminal damage and arson, public order, other crime.

The largest increases were in vehicle crime (+108%) and shoplifting (+42%). The largest falls were in violence and sexual offences (-13%).

Violence and sexual offences in Pontypool

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Pontypool recorded 1,070 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (38.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 39.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Pontypool

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Pontypool recorded 417 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 15.3% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Pontypool

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Pontypool recorded 320 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 10% on the year before. It made up 11.7% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Pontypool

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Pontypool recorded 281 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 10.3% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Pontypool

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Pontypool recorded 150 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 42% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Pontypool

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Pontypool recorded 142 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Pontypool

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Pontypool recorded 106 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 108% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Pontypool

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Pontypool recorded 84 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Pontypool

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Pontypool recorded 77 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 8% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Pontypool

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Pontypool recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Pontypool

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Pontypool recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Pontypool

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Pontypool recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 43% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Pontypool

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Pontypool recorded 3 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Pontypool

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Pontypool recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.1% of all crime in the area.

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

5 areas within Pontypool, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Pontypool Fawr had the highest rate (170.8 per 1,000) and New Inn the lowest (62.2). 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 Pontypool over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Pontypool 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.

Pontypool has an estimated population of 27,702. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Pontypool sits in decile 5.3, 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 Pontypool. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

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