WITH OCTOBER marking the 11th year of National Home Security Month, former Cardiff City and Merthyr Town footballer Philip Popham, is encouraging homeowners across Wales to take note of local crime statistics and evaluate their own home security measures.
He does so after compiling a league table of local foul play, including burglary and arson, that happens within a stone’s throw of the home grounds of four of Wales’s biggest football clubs.
A recent analysis of the crime statistics from neighbourhoods near the top four Welsh football teams, compiled by security company managing director Popham, reveals some eye-opening insights into the types of crimes happening right on the doorsteps the biggest Welsh clubs:
- The neighbourhood around Rodney Parade (NP19 0UU), home of Newport County AFC, tops the table with the highest crime rate in its locality, reporting 2,790 total crimes in the past year.
- Houses close to the home of the Bluebirds, Popham’s former club, at Cardiff City Stadium (CF11 8AZ) recorded the highest burglary rate, with 152 burglaries reported.
- Living under the spotlight of Hollywood attention didn’t help residents near Wrexham AFC’s Racecourse Ground (LL11 2AH ) which reported the most cases of criminal damage & arson, with 281 incidents in the last 12 months.
- And taking the title of the Welsh home ground in the safest local area, the neighbourhood around the Swansea.com Stadium (SA1 2FA) consistently reported the lowest crime rates across multiple categories, with 1,181 total crimes and 55 burglaries in the past year.
The former professional footballer who practised his trade at Ninian Park next to the site of the new Cardiff City Stadium, Popham was surprised to see just how many domestic residences near top Welsh football clubs fall foul to criminal activity and fires every year.
Popham said: “Despite the variations in the results recorded near these four major grounds, the data clearly highlights the importance of taking preventative measures regardless of football club allegiance.”
The website for National Home Security Month has an easy to use home security checker where residents can see their own statistics for locally reported crime. Just visit National Home Security Month website and pop the queried location in the postcode checker for up-to-date information on a wide range of reported incidences.
Popham continued: “With a rise in home burglaries often seen during the darker autumn months, it’s more important than ever to protect your home and loved ones. National Home Security Month serves as a reminder of the critical role that CCTV systems and fire prevention measures play in safeguarding homes, sports stadiums and businesses. Preventative security measures are more than just a deterrent to crime—they provide peace of mind”.
In addition to the home security website, people can also contact SECUREIT direct for help with assessing their current systems and receive guidance on how to tackle gaps in domestic home security and fire protection provision.
Popham added: “We believe that everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes, and we’re here to make sure that happens.”
