Crime in Rhyl: statistics, rates and trends
5,588 crimes were recorded in Rhyl in the 12 months to July 2026, 204.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before.
5,588 crimes were recorded in Rhyl in the 12 months to July 2026, 204.1 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 6% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,368 reports (42% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Rhyl has the 10th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Rhyl | Denbighshire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 5,588 | 11,075 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 204.1 | 112.8 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +6% | -1% | -1% |
| Population | 27,384 | 98,202 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Rhyl was highest in the year to July 2022 (6,508 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (5,052). Over the whole period it rose 11%, 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 | 5,588 | 204.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 5,254 | 191.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 5,314 | 194.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 5,928 | 216.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 6,508 | 237.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 5,303 | 193.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 5,449 | 199.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 5,707 | 208.4 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 5,052 | 184.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 547 |
| June 2026 | 459 |
| May 2026 | 467 |
| April 2026 | 458 |
| March 2026 | 444 |
| February 2026 | 442 |
| January 2026 | 488 |
| December 2025 | 410 |
| November 2025 | 488 |
| October 2025 | 408 |
| September 2025 | 424 |
| August 2025 | 553 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Rhyl 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 bicycle theft (+121%) and public order (+42%). The largest falls were in robbery (-50%) and theft from the person (-41%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 2,368 | 86.5 | 2.53 | +4% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 987 | 36.0 | 2.35 | +7% |
| Shoplifting | 464 | 16.9 | 2.05 | +0% |
| Public order | 416 | 15.2 | 2.29 | +42% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 413 | 15.1 | 2.22 | -4% |
| Other theft | 270 | 9.9 | 1.54 | +5% |
| Drugs | 210 | 7.7 | 2.35 | -0% |
| Burglary | 129 | 4.7 | 1.33 | +3% |
| Other crime | 103 | 3.8 | 1.78 | +13% |
| Vehicle crime | 71 | 2.6 | 0.53 | +16% |
| Possession of weapons | 65 | 2.4 | 2.44 | +41% |
| Bicycle theft | 62 | 2.3 | 2.75 | +121% |
| Theft from the person | 16 | 0.6 | 0.35 | -41% |
| Robbery | 14 | 0.5 | 0.38 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Rhyl
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Rhyl recorded 2,368 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (86.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 42.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Rhyl
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Rhyl recorded 987 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (36.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 7% on the year before. It made up 17.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Rhyl
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Rhyl recorded 464 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (16.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 8.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Rhyl
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Rhyl recorded 416 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 42% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Rhyl
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Rhyl recorded 413 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (15.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Rhyl
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Rhyl recorded 270 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 4.8% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Rhyl
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Rhyl recorded 210 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.8% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Rhyl
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Rhyl recorded 129 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Rhyl
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Rhyl recorded 103 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Rhyl
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Rhyl recorded 71 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Rhyl
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Rhyl recorded 65 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 41% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Rhyl
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Rhyl recorded 62 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 121% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Rhyl
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Rhyl recorded 16 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 41% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Rhyl
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Rhyl recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Rhyl, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Rhyl.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Rhyl |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinmel Bay | 1,037 | 109.6 | -46% |
| Prestatyn | 1,403 | 86.5 | -58% |
| Abergele | 774 | 84.6 | -59% |
| Denbigh | 679 | 82.3 | -60% |
| Colwyn Bay | 3,705 | 131.5 | -36% |
| Holywell (Flintshire) | 981 | 112.9 | -45% |
| Bagillt | 475 | 87.1 | -57% |
| West Kirby | 627 | 46.3 | -77% |
6 areas within Rhyl, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Rhyl West had the highest rate (606.2 per 1,000) and Rhyl South the lowest (55.5). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhyl West | Neighbourhood | 5,302 | 3,214 | 606.2 |
| Rhyl South West | Neighbourhood | 5,696 | 1,025 | 180.0 |
| Rhyl East | Neighbourhood | 4,587 | 506 | 110.3 |
| Rhyl Trellewelyn | Neighbourhood | 4,122 | 353 | 85.6 |
| Rhyl Tŷ Newydd | Neighbourhood | 4,253 | 300 | 70.5 |
| Rhyl South | Neighbourhood | 3,424 | 190 | 55.5 |
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 Rhyl over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 514 |
| On or near Sydenham Avenue | 335 |
| On or near Sussex Street | 174 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 170 |
| On or near Bus/Coach Station | 142 |
| On or near Stryd Bodfor | 140 |
| On or near Market Street | 139 |
| On or near St Helens Place | 137 |
| On or near Nightclub | 132 |
| On or near Brookes Avenue | 101 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Rhyl 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 | 1,947 | 34.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 1,061 | 19.0% |
| Not recorded | 987 | 17.7% |
| Under investigation | 532 | 9.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 315 | 5.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 201 | 3.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 168 | 3.0% |
| Court result unavailable | 163 | 2.9% |
| Local resolution | 133 | 2.4% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 50 | 0.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 11 | 0.2% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 9 | 0.2% |
Rhyl has an estimated population of 27,384. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Rhyl sits in decile 3.3, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Rhyl |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.9% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20.5% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 56.6% |
| Social rented homes | 17.2% |
| Private rented homes | 25.9% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.3 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 39.6% |
Is Rhyl a safe place to live?
Rhyl recorded 204.1 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 Rhyl?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 2,368 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (987).
Is crime in Rhyl going up or down?
Recorded crime in Rhyl was up 6% on the year before: 5,588 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 5,254 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Rhyl?
Rhyl is policed by North 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 Rhyl. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.