We've been maintaining our crime map for over 12 months now - so what do the 2,002 recorded crimes in Newtown tell us?

There were 2,002 recorded crimes in Newtown according to Open Police Data during 2023. We've crunched the numbers and analysed the data to give us a picture of crime in our town.

Overall crime is down - 230 crimes less were recorded in 2023 compared to 2022. A reduction of around 10.3%. Digging deeper into the data, it's encouraging to note that the majority of major crime categories experienced a decline in 2023 compared to 2022.

There was 138 less violent or sexual offences, 43 less drug offences but 10 more shoplifting offences and 57 more anti-social behaviour. A list of the types of crime and their change from 2022 to 2023 is shown at the end of the story.

We've examined where crimes took place - the most common place being Broad Street with 64 offences recorded. In 2022, the most common place was Hoel y Coleg with 104 offences, however in 2023 this has dropped to 60 recorded crimes at the same location.

We've also analysed crime outcomes - which outline what action was taken at each recorded offence. The data reveals that 43.7% of offences resulted in 'unable to prosecute suspect', a worrying statistic even if it is a drop compared to the 50.5% in 2022 with the same outcome. A full list of these is also available at the end of the story.

Whilst it is good news that crime has dropped overall, it is worrying that anti-social behaviour and shoplifting is on the rise compared to last year. We've mapped all the crimes from 2023 to locations in Newtown which you can view below - the map is interactive so feel free to move around and explore each recorded offence.

Commenting on the data, Police & Crime Commissioner for Dyfed Powys, Dafydd Llywelyn said:

“I am aware that there have been less crimes reported in Newtown over the last year.  However, the increase in anti-social behaviour incidents and shoplifting in particular is something that seems to be increasing in all parts of the country and is a growing concern for Police forces."

"Many people are finding it more challenging in the current financial landscape to make ends meet and, and as a result, some may find themselves being drawn into criminal activity."

"The CCTV cameras installed in Newtown in recent years, are a great asset to support Police officers on the ground, and to also act as a deterrent for any criminal behaviour."
 
“I urge anyone who has been a victim of crime to report it to the Police via 999 in an emergency, or you can report online or call 101 in a non-emergency situation.”

Chief Inspector Matthew Price said:

"2023 saw a 10%, reduction in crime in Newtown in comparison to 2022 which included reductions in Violent and Sexual Offences, Public order and Burglary."

"As well as a reduction of overall crime in Newtown, we have seen an increase in the number of crimes brought to a positive outcome for victims. "

"We continue to work hard on this and in January 2024 the Montgomeryshire positive outcome rate was amongst the highest rates Nationally for England and Wales."

"We fully understand the impact shoplifting can have on businesses, particularly on small and independent shops, and investigative work will always be carried out to prosecute offenders where there is sufficient evidence to do so. "

"It is clear with the current cost of living crisis that people are struggling financially and shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are often offences associated with these struggles."

"Dyfed-Powys Police has had a diversionary scheme in place since 2019, and alongside partner agencies we are carrying out work to support offenders who are identified as offending as a result of difficult circumstances.  The scheme was introduced by the Police and Crime Commissioner to support those who are genuinely struggling and includes support mechanisms to ensure those in need are provided with the right support and advice to deal with underlying issues presented.  Twenty people were referred through this Scheme in January 2024, and we will continue to utilise this scheme in order to work with those in need."

 

Crime Types

Crime Type	2022	2023	Change on Year	% in 2023
Anti-social behaviour	206	263	57	13.1%
Bicycle theft	34	24	-10	1.2%
Burglary	65	51	-14	2.5%
Criminal damage and arson	219	197	-22	9.8%
Drugs	99	56	-43	2.8%
Other crime	43	29	-14	1.4%
Other theft	115	90	-25	4.5%
Possession of weapons	18	14	-4	0.7%
Public order	287	260	-27	13.0%
Robbery	8	6	-2	0.3%
Shoplifting	65	75	10	3.7%
Theft from the person	7	11	4	0.5%
Vehicle crime	16	14	-2	0.7%
Violence and sexual offences	1050	912	-138	45.6%
Total	2232	2002	-230

 

Crime Outcomes

Crime Outcome	2022	2023	Change on Year	% in 2023
Unknown	206	263	57	13.1%
Action to be taken by another organisation	23	17	-6	0.8%
Awaiting court outcome	0	53	53	2.6%
Court result unavailable	154	21	-133	1.0%
Formal action is not in the public interest	24	13	-11	0.6%
Further investigation is not in the public interest	38	7	-31	0.3%
Investigation complete; no suspect identified	441	333	-108	16.6%
Local resolution	74	36	-38	1.8%
Offender given a caution	55	23	-32	1.1%
Status update unavailable	77	180	103	9.0%
Unable to prosecute suspect	1128	874	-254	43.7%
Under investigation	0	182	182	9.1%

Source: data.police.uk / Crime Data for Dyfed Powys Police filtered to Newtown / January 2022 to December 2022 vs January 2023 to December 2023.