Crime Rate in Cardiff: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Cardiff

The total recorded crimes in Cardiff, UK in January 2026 are around 3,306 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Cardiff crime rate of 9.12 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Cardiff, encompassing approximately 362,310 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jan were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (1079) incidents (-10.08% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (379) incidents (14.16% increase)
  • Public order: (339) incidents (-9.36% decrease)
Cardiff Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Knox Road with total crimes: 60
  • North Luton Place with total crimes: 42
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 40

Cardiff Police Info:

South Wales Police

Cardiff Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Cathays (502 crimes), and the safest, Radyr (19 crimes), is 483 crimes. This noticeable difference indicates a clear disparity in safety across Cardiff.

Similarly, the area of Cathays South & Bute Park (463 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Thornhill (13 crimes), with a difference of 450 crimes. This substantial difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Cardiff.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Cathays502
Adamsdown333
Butetown267
Riverside181
Grangetown167

Safest Wards:

Cyncoed38
Pentyrch and St Fagans37
Rhiwbina30
Lisvane and Thornhill27
Radyr19

Most Dangerous Areas:

Cathays South & Bute Park463
Adamsdown333
Butetown199
Pen-y-lan South124
Cardiff Bay113

Safest Areas:

Rhiwbina & Pant-mawr19
Cyncoed North18
Lisvane15
Pen-y-lan North13
Thornhill13

Cardiff Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

During January 2026, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (1079 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (379 cases).

December 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 1200 incidents, and Public order was another prevalent crime category with 374 incidents.

During November 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (1228 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (470 cases).

In October 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (1177 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (521 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (1115 incidents) were the most common in September 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (532 incidents) also being high.

For August 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (1126 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (587 incidents).

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 1296 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 622 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (1300 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (605 cases).

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (1286 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (617 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (1191 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (574 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (1355 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (564 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 1156 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 424 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 1667 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 138.92 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 356 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202697
December 2025110
November 2025119
October 2025127
September 202584
August 202598
July 2025113
June 2025126
May 202594
April 2025140
March 2025203
February 2025356

A total of 968 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 80.67 incidents per month. October 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 132 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202648
December 202545
November 2025127
October 2025132
September 202575
August 202576
July 202577
June 202573
May 202576
April 202595
March 202573
February 202571

A total of 14509 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1209.08 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 1355 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20261079
December 20251200
November 20251228
October 20251177
September 20251115
August 20251126
July 20251296
June 20251300
May 20251286
April 20251191
March 20251355
February 20251156

A total of 447 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 37.25 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 67 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202610
December 202531
November 202542
October 202543
September 202530
August 202530
July 202540
June 202531
May 202534
April 202561
March 202567
February 202528

A total of 4833 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 402.75 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 490 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026339
December 2025374
November 2025389
October 2025392
September 2025367
August 2025421
July 2025441
June 2025490
May 2025457
April 2025374
March 2025428
February 2025361

A total of 2682 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 223.50 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 248 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026218
December 2025205
November 2025214
October 2025245
September 2025178
August 2025243
July 2025227
June 2025235
May 2025237
April 2025198
March 2025248
February 2025234

A total of 6021 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 501.75 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 622 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026326
December 2025309
November 2025424
October 2025516
September 2025453
August 2025587
July 2025622
June 2025605
May 2025617
April 2025574
March 2025564
February 2025424

A total of 3240 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 270.00 incidents per month. November 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 376 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026251
December 2025302
November 2025376
October 2025289
September 2025308
August 2025301
July 2025263
June 2025226
May 2025219
April 2025190
March 2025264
February 2025251

A total of 5614 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 467.83 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 548 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026379
December 2025332
November 2025470
October 2025521
September 2025532
August 2025506
July 2025455
June 2025491
May 2025457
April 2025548
March 2025512
February 2025411

A total of 655 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 54.58 incidents per month. November 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 71 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202650
December 202566
November 202571
October 202560
September 202556
August 202567
July 202566
June 202565
May 202562
April 202550
March 202527
February 202515

A total of 513 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 42.75 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 51 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202637
December 202538
November 202546
October 202550
September 202544
August 202541
July 202543
June 202540
May 202546
April 202532
March 202545
February 202551

A total of 1100 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 91.67 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 132 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202686
December 202581
November 202583
October 2025108
September 202562
August 202583
July 202574
June 202598
May 202588
April 2025114
March 2025132
February 202591

A total of 3446 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 287.17 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 367 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026246
December 2025263
November 2025312
October 2025255
September 2025274
August 2025291
July 2025298
June 2025278
May 2025367
April 2025268
March 2025301
February 2025293

A total of 1608 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 134.00 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 163 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2026140
December 2025106
November 2025121
October 2025145
September 2025128
August 2025107
July 2025146
June 2025153
May 2025132
April 2025111
March 2025156
February 2025163

High Crime Locations Cardiff in January 2026

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Cardiff postcode area is presented below.

1. Knox Road (Map)
Total60
Violence and sexual offences24
Other crime15
Public order9
Drugs6
Vehicle crime3
Possession of weapons3
2. North Luton Place (Map)
Total42
Violence and sexual offences21
Criminal damage and arson6
Burglary6
Public order3
Possession of weapons3
Other theft3
3. Shopping Area (Map)
Total40
Shoplifting20
Violence and sexual offences9
Public order5
Other crime2
Bicycle theft2
Theft from the person1
Robbery1
4. Police Station (Map)
Total37
Violence and sexual offences11
Public order11
Drugs9
Criminal damage and arson3
Other crime2
Possession of weapons1
5. Further/Higher Educational Building (Map)
Total24
Violence and sexual offences6
Other theft6
Anti-social behaviour6
Vehicle crime3
Public order3
6. Augusta Street (Map)
Total24
Public order12
Violence and sexual offences6
Anti-social behaviour6

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.