The latest crime and anti-social behaviour statistics for Swansea have been released, revealing both positive trends and concerning issues. According to a report discussed at a meeting with Swansea councillors and police and council representatives, there was a 24% decrease in reports of anti-social behaviour in Swansea in 2024 compared to the previous year. The city centre saw the most significant drop in reports. Serious violence reports in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot totalled 3,304, down from 3,540 in 2023. Additionally, there were 148 knife crime reports in the two counties, compared to 162 the previous year. Furthermore, both commercial and domestic burglaries decreased during this time.
It was highlighted in the meeting that more young people displaying toxic masculinity behaviours are being referred to the authorities. South Wales Police chief inspector James Ratti mentioned that 36 county lines gangs had been disrupted, with 161 arrests made in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. This represents an increase from the previous period. Chief inspector Ratti expressed concerns about the distribution of drugs through fast parcels, with police intercepting around 50 of these per month in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. Additionally, efforts are being made to tackle challenges such as shoplifting, drug use, and drug supply.
The meeting also addressed hate crime, extremism, and toxic masculinity, with a focus on interventions aimed at supporting parents. The council’s community integration manager, Paul Thomas, noted a rise in the number of young people referred via the UK’s Prevent programme due to exhibiting toxic masculinity and “incel” ideology. Thomas highlighted the concerning links between these behaviours and extremist narratives. This underscores the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies to address these issues.
Chief inspector Ratti commended the progress made in tackling anti-social behaviour and county lines disruption but emphasised that more work remains to be done. He mentioned that off-road bikes and scramblers pose a challenge for law enforcement, particularly in pursuit situations where riders may not be wearing helmets. The meeting also heard about the use of drones for surveillance and facial recognition technology to identify individuals involved in illegal activities, such as riding off-road bikes.
The discussion touched on the role of social media in perpetuating negative behaviours and ideologies among young people. Efforts are being made to educate parents on monitoring their children’s online activities to prevent exposure to harmful content. The meeting highlighted the need for a multi-agency approach to address these complex issues effectively and underscored the importance of community involvement in reporting suspicious activities. Overall, while there have been improvements in certain crime statistics, continued collaboration and proactive measures are essential to ensure the safety and well-being of the Swansea community.