Lowest-crime areas in Powys
Of Powys's 19 neighbourhoods, Llanfair Caereinion & Caersws recorded the lowest crime rate, 33 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, and Newtown South the highest, 178 crimes per 1,000 residents. 14 of 19 are below the England and Wales rate of 97 crimes per 1,000 residents. Figures cover October 2025 to September 2026.
Powys neighbourhoods by crime rate
| # | Neighbourhood | Crimes per 1,000 | Compared with England and Wales | Most common |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Llanfair Caereinion & Caerswsaround SY16 3PU | 33 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 2 | Four Crosses & Guilsfieldaround SY22 6PX | 35 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 3 | Abermule, Churchstoke & Kerryaround SY15 6LW | 36 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 4 | Llanidloes, Blaen Hafren & Llandinamaround SY18 6AX | 36 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 5 | Llanfyllin & Llanwyddynaround SY22 5ER | 37 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 6 | Crickhowell, Llangynidr & Llangorsearound NP8 1LW | 38 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 7 | Montgomery, Trewern & Berriewaround SY21 8NG | 39 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 8 | Hay-on-Wye & Talgartharound HR3 5LL | 45 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 9 | Machynlleth & Banwyaround SY20 8NW | 45 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 10 | Knighton & Presteignearound LD7 1PD | 46 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 11 | Sennybridge & Talybont-on-Uskaround LD3 9NT | 53 | Low | Violence and sexual offences |
| 12 | Rhayader, Newbridge-on-Wye & Elan Valleyaround LD1 6PB | 64 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 13 | Builth Wells & Llanwrtyd Wellsaround LD2 3NH | 67 | Moderate | Violence and sexual offences |
| 14 | Ystradgynlais & Tawe Uchafaround SA9 1HP | 96 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 15 | Breconaround LD3 9DF | 102 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 16 | Welshpoolaround SY21 7QP | 116 | High | Violence and sexual offences |
| 17 | Newtown Northaround SY16 2AS | 134 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
| 18 | Llandrindod Wellsaround LD1 5HF | 162 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
| 19 | Newtown Southaround SY16 1HQ | 178 | Very high | Violence and sexual offences |
Source: data.police.uk, October 2025 to September 2026, and ONS population estimates. Rates are per 1,000 residents, so town and city centres, with many visitors and few residents, rank high.
Questions
Which area of Powys has the lowest crime rate?
Llanfair Caereinion & Caersws had the lowest recorded crime rate in Powys from October 2025 to September 2026: 33 crimes per 1,000 residents a year, against 97 crimes per 1,000 residents across England and Wales.
Which area of Powys has the highest crime rate?
Newtown South had the highest recorded crime rate in Powys from October 2025 to September 2026: 178 crimes per 1,000 residents a year. Busy centres often rank high because rates are per resident, not per visitor.
How is the crime rate worked out?
Crimes reported to police and published on data.police.uk over the last 12 months, divided by each neighbourhood's population from ONS estimates. Neighbourhoods are the ONS areas of about 7,000 people that the House of Commons Library has named.