Former professional player shows grounds for improved home defences near top Welsh football clubs

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 some 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.

If you don’t want to drive to watch Merthyr Town FC play at Merthyr Town Community Stadium (CF47 8RF), you can ride safe in the knowledge that the locality recorded a low level of bike theft near the ground with just nine stolen in the last 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 if you don’t want to drive to watch Barry Town United play at Jenner Park Stadium (CF62 9BG), you can also pedal safe in the knowledge that the locality recorded another low level of bike theft with just under one a month stolen in the last year.

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:

“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 www.homesecuritymonth.com 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.

“We believe that everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes, and we’re here to make sure that happens.” added Popham. “There are many reasons why customers across South Wales come to us to install CCTV in their homes, be it Newport, Cardiff, Bridgend or Swansea, but these are the top five reasons they tell us that have chosen them to use the professionally installed system form SECUREIT”.

Absolutely! Here are the top five reasons for UK homeowners to install CCTV:

1. Enhanced Home Security

CCTV acts as a major deterrent for burglars and other intruders. The visible presence of cameras reduces the likelihood of your home being targeted, as criminals prefer to avoid properties where they risk being recorded. UK police also recommend CCTV as a reliable security feature.

2. Protection of Property and Valuables

With rising rates of theft and vandalism, CCTV provides an effective way to monitor activity around your property. If any suspicious behaviour or crime occurs, having recorded footage can help identify the culprits and retrieve stolen items or prevent further damage.

3. Evidence in Disputes or Incidents

Should there be any disputes with neighbours, passersby, or tradespeople, CCTV can serve as an impartial record of events. This can be especially useful for disputes involving trespassing, property boundaries, or even road accidents that occur near your home.

4. Remote Monitoring and Peace of Mind

Modern CCTV systems offer smartphone connectivity, allowing homeowners to check on their property in real-time, even when they’re away. This is valuable for vacations, business trips, or even daily work commutes, providing peace of mind that everything is safe and secure.

5. Supports Insurance Claims and Lowers Premiums

CCTV footage can support home insurance claims if a break-in or incident occurs. This evidence can speed up the claim process and increase the likelihood of a payout. Some insurance providers may also offer discounts for homes with robust security systems, potentially lowering your premium.

These reasons make CCTV a solid investment for boosting safety, peace of mind, and even financial benefits for UK homeowners.

SECUREIT is a leading provider of fire prevention and security solutions, headquartered near Bridgend in South Wales. Over the past 16 years, the family-run business has built a strong reputation for delivering innovative, reliable, and high-quality security systems and services to a diverse range of clients. SECUREIT’s mission is to protect people, property, and businesses with solutions that meet the highest standards of safety and performance.