**Newport Emerges as Wales’ Crime Hotspot, According to Latest Home Office Data**
New figures released by the Home Office have revealed that Newport currently holds the highest crime rate per person in Wales, surpassing all other Welsh regions in terms of recorded non-fraud offences. These statistics shed new light on the distribution of crime across the nation, prompting further debate about local policing, safety measures, and the broader implications for residents.
According to the data, in the twelve months leading up to March 2025, the four domestic police forces in Wales logged almost 260,000 non-fraud criminal incidents. This figure represents a slight decrease—about 4,000 fewer cases compared with the previous year, equating to a one percent drop overall. Nevertheless, while this small downward shift may offer some reassurance, the figures also highlight areas where the crime rate remains particularly acute.
Newport recorded 19,458 non-fraud crimes during this time period—a 3% increase on the previous year. With a population-based rate of 121 offences per 1,000 residents, Newport not only stands out as the highest crime area in Wales, but also ranks nineteenth out of more than 300 community safety partnership regions across England and Wales. This means that for every ten people in Newport, it is statistically likely that at least one will have been the victim of a crime in the past year.
Behind Newport in terms of the highest crime rates are Blaenau Gwent, registering 120 crimes per 1,000 people, and Cardiff, with a rate of 103. These figures help to illustrate not only local disparities, but also the wider challenge faced by the Welsh authorities as they navigate the complexities of crime prevention within communities of different scales and demographics.
The inclusion of crime rates per 1,000 residents allows for a more meaningful comparison across towns and cities with varying population sizes. It serves as a reminder that raw crime numbers don’t always tell the full story about how crime affects individual communities. For those living in Newport, there is a palpable sense of urgency regarding what can be done to address both the causes and consequences of this high crime rate.
Looking further afield, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Crime Survey for England and Wales estimates that adults aged 16 and over experienced 9.4 million incidents of crime in the year ending March 2025. This marks an increase from 8.8 million incidents in the previous year—the bulk of this rise attributed to a significant surge in fraud, up 31% and accounting for 4.2 million of those incidents. Notably, this is the highest level of fraud recorded since the ONS began measuring it in 2016/17.
Despite this recent uptick in some categories, the broader trend over the past decade has seen total annual crime incidents fall. The ONS reported a total of 11.2 million crimes in 2016/17, meaning that this year’s figures are 16% lower overall. Such statistics offer a mixed picture: while some forms of crime such as fraud are on the rise, other traditional offences are generally declining.
The national survey—not limited to crimes reported to the police—provides crucial insights into personal and household victim-based crimes. The survey includes theft, criminal damage, computer misuse, and violence, though it does not factor in sexual offences, stalking, harassment, or domestic abuse (these are reported separately). Over recent decades, experiences of theft, violence, and criminal damage have largely been on a downward trajectory, echoing improvements in certain aspects of public safety.
This latest release of Home Office data underscores the persistent challenge of combating crime in urban centres like Newport. As policymakers and law enforcement officials consider their response, many are calling for a nuanced approach that considers both recent increases in certain types of crime and the overall long-term decline in others.
As discussions continue within local communities and among public sector leaders, questions remain about the most effective ways to further lower crime rates and rebuild confidence among residents of Wales’ most affected areas. Further analysis is likely as these trends develop over the coming months, offering more opportunity for reflection, strategy, and community engagement.