Crime and Safety in Blackwood
Last updated: 07 Jun 2026
Gwent Police are behind schedule with their crime data updates.
Please see below for details.
Blackwood is among the top 5 most dangerous small towns in the preserved county of Gwent, and is among the top 10 most dangerous overall out of Gwent's 117 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Blackwood in 2025 is 42 crimes per 1,000 people. This compares poorly to Gwent's overall crime rate, coming in 39% higher than the Gwent rate of 30 per 1,000 daytime population. For England, Wales, and Northern Ireland as a whole, Blackwood is the 104th most dangerous small town, and the 683rd most dangerous location out of all towns, cities, and villages.
In December 2024, Blackwood had the worst crime rate in Gwent for anti-social behaviour, with 43 crimes reported and a crime rate of 5.0 per 1,000 daytime population. April 2023 was also a bad month for Blackwood residents, when it was Gwent's most dangerous area for possession of weapons, recording 5 crimes at a rate of 0.58 per 1,000 daytime population.
The most common crimes in Blackwood are violence and sexual offences, with 137 offences during 2025, giving a crime rate of 16. This is 67% lower than 2024's figure of 418 offences and a difference of 32.39 from 2024's crime rate of 48. Blackwood's least common crime is bicycle theft, with 1 offence recorded in 2025.
Blackwood 2026 Crime Scorecard
Top 5 Most Dangerous
Small Towns, Gwent
31% lower, regional crime rate
Wales
41% lower, national crime rate
England, Wales & NI
Local Crime in Context
As of August 2025, the crime rate in Blackwood is 31% lower than Wales and 41% lower than the England, Wales & Northern Ireland overall figure.
Blackwood Crime Rate Over Time
| Blackwood | |
| Wales | |
| England, Wales & NI |
Blackwood Crime Map
Incidents mapped in Blackwood represent the time frame between January 2016 and August 2025. Each point on the map represents an area where crimes have been recorded locally.
Use Crime Map
Hover over a point to see a breakdown of crime types recorded at that location. You can also filter by individual crime types, or use a combinations of offences to visualise the data you need.
See How Blackwood Compares
You can compare Blackwood's crime statistics against any other town, village, or city from across the country. Search for a location's name below to see how they stack up.
Crime data status: caution advised
Gwent Police are behind schedule with their crime data updates, and the most recent data on data.police.uk for Gwent Police is for August 2025.
The most recent month for all other forces is April 2026. This affects all platforms, systems, and users that rely on data.police.uk.
We advise exercising caution with statistics for areas within Gwent Police's boundaries, particularly if comparing against areas with more recent data, until Gwent Police are back on schedule.
Crime data on data.police.uk is typically updated once per month, and includes new data with a two-month delay.
Introduction to Blackwood's crime statistics
This crime profile provides a detailed view of crime and safety around Blackwood up to August 2025, the most recent data release available. The crime figures and statistics have been calculated across each of Blackwood's 222 postcodes using three area sizes for comparison:
- Within a Five-Minute Walk
- Within a Ten-Minute Walk
- Within a Fifteen-Minute Walk
Individual crime risk scores and index figures are for the 12-month period ending August 2025 unless otherwise stated.
CrimeRate Insights
Looking into a specific address in Blackwood? CrimeRate Insights reports convert raw numbers into practical insight for any location, from single addresses and postcodes, up to major towns and cities.
Crime rates don’t happen by themselves; they follow people and patterns. Where crowds gather - near pubs and late-night venues, around the station, by supermarkets and forecourts - incidents naturally concentrate.
That doesn’t mean an area is "bad"; it usually means footfall is higher.
Your report explores these factors in a calm, non-judgemental way, putting the numbers in context and helping you spot what’s typical for places like this.
Crime Risk Scores
Blackwood • 12 Months Ending August 2025
The typical five-minute walk within Blackwood has a crime risk score of 699. This is based on analysis of 222 nearby areas within Blackwood, with "most" referring to roughly two thirds of the nearby locations.
Crime risk scores are on a scale of 1 to 1,000 and consider the severity of the crimes involved, as determined by sentencing guidelines. A score of 1 represents the lowest risk, and 1,000 the highest risk. This approach ensures that - unlike overall crime rate figures - bicycle theft is not given the same importance in Blackwood's risk scores as, for example, robbery, or violence & sexual offences.
Within a five-minute walk of the typical location in Blackwood, crime risk scores are typically around 699, while in Gwent they are average 675.
Areas within a ten-minute walk typically see crime risk scores of 779 (709 for Gwent), and scores within a fifteen-minute walk are most often around 830 (Gwent 733).
Trends in Crime Risk
Blackwood
Calculated via Seasonal and Trend decomposition using Loess, the Seasonality Adjusted line represents the original data with seasonality subtracted, and the Trend line has been plotted unadjusted. Overall trend direction has been identified using the Mann-Kendall trend test, and rate calculated from the slope of the best-fit line identified from linear regression.
The 10-year trend indicates an increase of 3.0% in Blackwood's crime risk score. This is potentially a strong signal of how the crime risk is evolving. Cross-referencing with major cultural events and Covid's impact during this time is advised.
Looking at the previous five years, the trend in Blackwood's crime risk score is up by 20%. While potentially a good indicator of the overall risk trend, analysis may offer further insight when combined with the checks mentioned above.
Over the last year, Blackwood's crime risk score has shown a downward trend of approximately 4.2%, indicating that the risk profile is going down. This is an extremely short time period for crime trend analysis, and caution should be exercised when interpreting this figure.
Crime Rates and Indexes
Blackwood
The CrimeRate Index shows how crime rates compare against the national average.
1.0 equals the average
2.0 is double
3.0 triple
0.5 is half and
0.25 a quarter.
Highest Crime Rates
Blackwood • 12 Months Ending August 2025
Excluding other crime and other theft because their geographic location is often not relevant, anti-social behaviour as its definition is too wide, and bicycle theft for its specificity.
Public Order offences have a crime rate of 20 reports per 1,000 people in Blackwood, which is 3.29 times the national average. This figure is calculated from 173 crime reports logged by Gwent Police during the 12-month period ending August 2025.
For the same period, Gwent Police recorded 11 reports of Possession of Weapons in Blackwood, resulting in a crime rate of 1.27 reports per 1,000, and a CrimeRate Index of 3.18.
The crime rate for Shoplifting is 2.68 times the national average at 20 reports per 1,000. This is from 174 crime reports reported to Gwent Police.
Most Significant 3-Year Increases in Crime Types
Blackwood
Excluding other crime and other theft, anti-social behaviour, and bicycle theft, and calculated with the same STL method described in Trends in Crime Risk, using CrimeRate Index figures to identify crime types that are trending above or below the national average, and the analysis timeframe limited to the last three years.
Robbery offences are trending upwards, though the CrimeRate Index three years ago is too low to measure, and the trend should be reviewed with caution.
Criminal Damage and Arson offences are trending upwards, though the CrimeRate Index three years ago is too low to measure, and the trend should be reviewed with caution.
Burglary offences are trending upwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 1.77 for the month of August 2025.
Three years ago, the monthly Burglary CrimeRate Index was 1.09 times the national average, and the current trend indicates an increase of 62% over this timeframe.
Most Significant 3-Year Decreases in Crime Types
Blackwood
Calculated with the same methodology as the largest increases section above.
No significant decreases identified.
Crime Type Breakdown & Heat Map
Blackwood • 12 Months Ending August 2025
Size and colour reflect the CrimeRate Index figures for each type of crime.
Blackwood | Gwent | Wales | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crime Type | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index |
| Anti-Social Behaviour | 344 | 39.56 | 2.74 | 12,174 | 18.74 | 1.30 | 46,290 | 13.54 | 0.94 |
| Bicycle Theft | 1 | 0.11 | 1.83 | 271 | 0.42 | 0.52 | 2,050 | 0.60 | 0.74 |
| Burglary | 22 | 2.55 | 0.90 | 2,226 | 3.43 | 1.00 | 9,284 | 2.72 | 0.80 |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 127 | 14.61 | 2.22 | 6,863 | 10.55 | 1.61 | 26,194 | 7.66 | 1.17 |
| Drugs | 18 | 2.07 | 1.09 | 1,653 | 2.53 | 0.89 | 8,717 | 2.55 | 0.90 |
| Other Crime | 13 | 1.50 | 1.35 | 1,701 | 2.62 | 1.35 | 7,399 | 2.17 | 1.12 |
| Other Theft | 56 | 6.46 | 1.06 | 3,786 | 5.83 | 0.96 | 16,534 | 4.83 | 0.80 |
| Possession of Weapons | 11 | 1.27 | 3.18 | 581 | 0.90 | 1.13 | 2,434 | 0.70 | 0.87 |
| Public Order | 173 | 19.90 | 3.29 | 7,517 | 11.58 | 1.91 | 29,768 | 8.73 | 1.44 |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.24 | 1.33 | 326 | 0.50 | 0.47 | 1,153 | 0.33 | 0.31 |
| Shoplifting | 174 | 20.01 | 2.68 | 4,892 | 7.53 | 1.01 | 24,355 | 7.12 | 0.95 |
| Theft From the Person | 3 | 0.36 | 0.72 | 186 | 0.29 | 0.15 | 1,491 | 0.42 | 0.22 |
| Vehicle Crime | 39 | 4.50 | 1.03 | 2,758 | 4.25 | 0.88 | 11,040 | 3.24 | 0.67 |
| Violence and Sexual Offences | 411 | 47.27 | 1.56 | 25,809 | 39.74 | 1.31 | 116,810 | 34.21 | 1.13 |
Download | |||||||||
Total Crime by Year
Blackwood | Gwent | Wales | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index |
| 2025 | 1,050 | 120.85 | 1.78 | 58,569 | 90.17 | 1.22 | 257,229 | 75.28 | 1.02 |
| 2024 | 924 | 106.59 | 1.55 | 53,530 | 82.97 | 1.10 | 238,672 | 70.43 | 0.93 |
| 2023 | 888 | 102.53 | 1.46 | 50,113 | 78.34 | 0.99 | 255,615 | 75.95 | 0.96 |
| 2022 | 776 | 88.82 | 1.34 | 45,569 | 71.98 | 0.94 | 245,565 | 73.85 | 0.96 |
| 2021 | 578 | 65.64 | 1.09 | 41,430 | 65.68 | 0.96 | 217,266 | 65.68 | 0.96 |
| 2020 | 888 | 100.22 | 1.45 | 46,932 | 74.67 | 1.01 | 237,502 | 72.15 | 0.97 |
| 2019 | 861 | 97.39 | 1.39 | 49,113 | 78.20 | 1.03 | 244,905 | 74.66 | 0.98 |
| 2018 | 749 | 84.94 | 1.30 | 40,466 | 64.64 | 0.91 | 218,341 | 66.57 | 0.94 |
| 2017 | 652 | 73.61 | 1.32 | 37,689 | 60.33 | 0.94 | 199,059 | 60.80 | 0.95 |
| 2016 | 190 | 21.41 | 1.27 | 12,388 | 19.84 | 1.04 | 61,849 | 18.94 | 0.99 |
Download | |||||||||
Blackwood Compared to Nearby Small Towns
12 Months Ending Aug 2025
| Small Town | Total Crimes | Crime Rate | Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cwmbran Central | 748 | 60.83 | 44% more dangerous |
| Pillgwenlly | 647 | 54.63 | 29% more dangerous |
| Blackwood | 368 | 42.19 | - |
| Ringland | 361 | 39.98 | 5% safer |
| Rhymney | 393 | 44.31 | 5% more dangerous |
| Bettws | 316 | 36.97 | 12% safer |
| Abertillery | 463 | 40.16 | 4.8% safer |
| Gaer | 334 | 35.68 | 15% safer |
| Tredegar | 635 | 41.49 | 1.7% safer |
| Nantyglo and Blaina | 312 | 32.89 | 22% safer |
| Liswerry | 612 | 41.79 | 0.95% safer |
| Victoria | 332 | 31.41 | 26% safer |
| Alway | 278 | 32.32 | 23% safer |
| Bargoed | 508 | 40.12 | 4.9% safer |
| St. Julians | 368 | 37.02 | 12% safer |
| Caerphilly | 562 | 30.71 | 27% safer |
Comparing Blackwood to the UK's Major Cities
12 Months Ending Aug 2025
| City Name | Crime Rate | Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwood | 42.19 | - |
| Cardiff | 79.55 | 89% more dangerous |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 82.69 | 96% more dangerous |
| Sheffield | 84.09 | 99% more dangerous |
| Leicester | 97.87 | 132% more dangerous |
| Bristol | 104.64 | 148% more dangerous |
| Birmingham | 105.05 | 149% more dangerous |
| Liverpool | 106.48 | 152% more dangerous |
| Leeds | 107.10 | 154% more dangerous |
| Nottingham | 107.74 | 155% more dangerous |
| Westminster | 125.00 | 196% more dangerous |
CrimeRate Pro
To download charts and tables, you must subscribed to CrimeRate Pro
You can find out more, or get a CrimeRate Insights report that includes further analysis.
Offences In and Around Blackwood's Parks & Leisure Spaces
Limited to spaces in Blackwood that are named and have had crimes recorded within their boundaries in the 12 months to Aug 2025.
| Name | ASB | Drugs | Public Order | Robbery | VSO | All Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glan-yr-Afon Park Rugby Football Ground | 2 | - | - | - | 6 | 4 |
| Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre | 4 | 2 | 2 | - | 6 | 3 |
Recent Crimes in Blackwood
The 20 most recent crime reports in Blackwood.
| Date | Crime Type | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2025 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Chepstow Close | |
| August 2025 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Birchwood Close | |
| August 2025 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Supermarket | |
| August 2025 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Sports/Recreation Area | |
| August 2025 | Burglary | On or near Gordon Road | |
| August 2025 | Burglary | On or near Gordon Road | |
| August 2025 | Criminal damage and arson | On or near Cliff Road | |
| August 2025 | Drugs | On or near The Paddocks | |
| August 2025 | Public order | On or near Morrison Street | |
| August 2025 | Public order | On or near Kidwelly Close | |
| August 2025 | Public order | On or near Gordon Road | |
| August 2025 | Shoplifting | On or near Shopping Area | |
| August 2025 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Parking Area | |
| August 2025 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Parc Plas | |
| August 2025 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Hall Street | |
| August 2025 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Shopping Area | |
| August 2025 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Clos Yr Wyddfid | |
| August 2025 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Coed Gelli Parc | |
| August 2025 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Birchwood Close | |
| August 2025 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Morrison Street |
Methodology & Data Sources
Blackwood Crime Report
Data Sources & Processing
Every month, CrimeRate processes crime reports from data.police.uk, the UK's official provider of open crime report data. Each crime report includes anonymised coordinates, most often "snapped" to the middle of the nearest street, or to the nearest major landmark. The reports also include the month and year the crime was reported, as well as the type of crime.
Data releases on data.police.uk happen once a month, with a two-month delay. This means that, for example, crimes reported in Blackwood during July 2026 will typically become available in September 2026. The latest release is for Apr 2026 and was released in Jun 2026. To provide current and historical crime statistics, CrimeRate processed 61,669,232 crime reports for the latest release.
Blackwood Data Points
For Blackwood, CrimeRate uses the geographic boundaries provided by The Office for National Statistics in the December 2023 release of their Parishes and Non Civil Parished Areas dataset, using the PARNCP23CD column value W04000730.
Due to the 2021 Census being conducted during a UK-wide Coronavirus lockdown, the daytime population figures released so far cannot be relied on for purposes such as comparing crime rates. Instead, CrimeRate uses Blackwood's daytime - or "workday" - population of 8,281 from the ONS 2011 Census for calculations throughout the site.
All geographic boundaries use the full resolution - extent of the realm versions where provided to avoid missing crime reports near coastlines and rivers - the banks of the Thames in particular - that would otherwise not be included when using the clipped to the coastline datasets.
Calculating Crime Rates
CrimeRate locates the UK region, county, and town/city/village locality for each crime report, and calculates the crime rate by taking the sum of all crime reports, dividing it by the locality's daytime / "workday" population, and multiplying the result by 1,000 to get the crime rate per 1,000.
Crime Risk Score Calculations
CrimeRate calculates crime counts for local, nearby, and wider areas for every postcode in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The postcodes locations are deduplicated by a process that ensures distinct points are approximately 50 metres apart. This process removes the bias that would otherwise come from counting the same crimes several times in heavily populated areas.
Using a custom algorithm developed in-house, CrimeRate applies a crime severity weighting to each area's crime counts, based on the type of crime reported. This increases or decreases the crime count, or zeroes it out entirely, depending on the crime type. A separate crime severity rate is then calculated, standardised, and scaled to fit the crime risk score range of 1 to 1,000, with 1 being the lowest score, and 1,000 the highest.
Crime risk scores undergo further analysis per town, city, and village plus other areas including police forces and neighbourhoods. CrimeRate uses percentiles to work out the most common range of crime risk scores in each locality. This includes identifying the high and low bounds where approximately 68% of scores fall, and finding the median (50th percentile) for easy reference.
The crime types with a weight of zero are: Anti-Social Behaviour; Bicycle Theft; Other Crime; Other Theft; and Shoplifting. The highest weights to are assigned to Violence & Sexual Offences, and the lowest to Vehicle Crime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crime in Blackwood