Crime Rate in Cathays: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Cathays

The total recorded crimes in Cathays, Cardiff, UK in July 2025 are around 584 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Cathays crime rate of 4.31 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 Cathays, encompassing approximately 135,353 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (197) incidents (-6.64% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (78) incidents (-25.00% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (77) incidents (11.59% increase)
Cathays Crime Hotspots

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

  • Heol Eglwys Fair with total crimes: 47
  • Hospital with total crimes: 34
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 31

How safe is Cathays?

To understand the safety of Cathays, we need to analyze Cathays crime statistics in relation to regional averages. Lets examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to Cardiff:

    • In 2024, Cathays reported a higher crime volume than the Cardiff average, with 9,209 crimes compared to 1,964. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Furthermore, Cathays witnessed more crimes than 27 out of 27 other areas in the Cardiff.

    • In 2023, Cathays experienced a greater number of crimes than the Cardiff average, with 5,953 crimes compared to 1,793. This indicates a higher crime burden for the area in the region during this period. Furthermore, Cathays witnessed more crimes than 27 out of 27 other areas in the Cardiff.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Compared to other areas in Cardiff, Cathays has a higher crime rate and is considered more dangerous in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Cathays Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the Cathays has recorded 584 crimes with crime rate of 4.31 ranking 1th out of 27 in the Cardiff, UK

In 2024, the total Cathays crimes were 9,209. The crime rate of Cathays in 2024 was 68.04 (year) or 5.67 (month) ranking it 1 dangerous area in the Cardiff.

In 2023, the total crimes in Cathays were around 5,953 crimes with yearly crime rate of 43.98 (year) or 3.67 (month) ranking 1 most dangerous area in the Cardiff.

AreaJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Cathays)CrimesRank (Cathays)CrimesRank (Cathays)
Adamsdown448 25,058 35,023 2
Butetown382 35,530 25,000 3
Grangetown199 72,896 42,794 4
Riverside227 42,656 62,575 6
Plasnewydd214 52,817 52,705 5
Penylan211 62,530 72,426 7
Ely150 92,068 102,180 8
Trowbridge187 82,275 81,912 11
Splott143 111,831 112,040 9
Canton146 102,170 91,707 12
Caerau136 121,823 121,998 10
Fairwater94 171,591 131,638 13
Llanrumney118 131,472 141,444 15
Pentwyn110 141,471 151,461 14
Whitchurch and Tongwynlais103 151,249 161,227 16
Llanishen100 161,079 17970 18
Heath85 181,035 181,143 17
Llandaff North82 19830 22907 19
Pontprennau and Old St Mellons80 201,006 19783 22
Gabalfa79 21839 21901 20
Rumney65 22840 20787 21
Cyncoed49 23692 23698 23
Pentyrch and St Fagans44 24530 24504 24
Llandaff38 26491 25473 25
Rhiwbina39 25400 26419 26
Lisvane and Thornhill27 27355 27300 27
Radyr21 28261 28247 28

Cathays Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 197 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 78 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (211 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (104 cases).

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (190 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (114 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (193 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (150 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (177 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (122 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 194 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 109 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (200 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (96 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 209 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 124 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (173 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (126 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (175 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (120 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 274 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 27.40 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 53 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202524
June 202528
May 202517
April 202522
March 202515
February 202525
January 202516
December 202431
November 202443
October 202453

A total of 190 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 19.00 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 31 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202517
June 202513
May 202518
April 202521
March 202523
February 202513
January 202516
December 202418
November 202420
October 202431

A total of 1919 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 191.90 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 211 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025197
June 2025211
May 2025190
April 2025193
March 2025177
February 2025194
January 2025200
December 2024209
November 2024173
October 2024175

A total of 426 Other theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 42.60 incidents per month. December 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 55 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202536
June 202547
May 202544
April 202532
March 202545
February 202536
January 202546
December 202455
November 202454
October 202431

A total of 534 Public order incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 53.40 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 67 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202558
June 202551
May 202549
April 202549
March 202567
February 202559
January 202545
December 202455
November 202449
October 202452

A total of 266 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 26.60 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 34 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202528
June 202526
May 202530
April 202524
March 202531
February 202534
January 202527
December 202414
November 202426
October 202426

A total of 229 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 22.90 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 33 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202529
June 202516
May 202523
April 20254
March 202525
February 202520
January 202530
December 202429
November 202420
October 202433

A total of 183 Drugs incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 18.30 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 23 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202512
June 202521
May 202514
April 202523
March 202522
February 202522
January 202514
December 202419
November 202421
October 202415

A total of 795 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 79.50 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 99 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202577
June 202569
May 202573
April 202593
March 202578
February 202582
January 202574
December 202480
November 202499
October 202470

A total of 1143 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 114.30 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 150 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202578
June 2025104
May 2025114
April 2025150
March 2025122
February 2025109
January 202596
December 2024124
November 2024126
October 2024120

A total of 171 Burglary incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 17.10 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 25 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202518
June 202516
May 202511
April 202510
March 202515
February 202523
January 202525
December 202420
November 202414
October 202419

A total of 67 Robbery incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 7.44 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20254
June 202514
May 20258
April 202514
March 20259
February 20252
January 20254
December 20244
October 20248

A total of 48 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 4.80 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 7 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20255
June 20255
May 20256
April 20256
March 20254
February 20256
January 20252
December 20243
November 20244
October 20247

A total of 62 Other crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 6.89 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
June 20258
May 20254
April 202512
March 20259
February 20255
January 20253
November 202416
October 20244

High Crime Locations Cathays in July 2025

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

1. Heol Eglwys Fair (Map)
Total47
Violence and sexual offences21
Public order16
Anti-social behaviour5
Theft from the person3
Bicycle theft1
Criminal damage and arson1
2. Hospital (Map)
Total34
Violence and sexual offences24
Anti-social behaviour7
Public order2
Drugs1
3. Supermarket (Map)
Total31
Anti-social behaviour8
Violence and sexual offences8
Public order5
Other theft4
Bicycle theft2
Theft from the person2
Drugs1
Other crime1
4. Heol Y Tollty (Map)
Total25
Violence and sexual offences12
Anti-social behaviour7
Drugs2
Public order2
Other theft1
Theft from the person1
5. Shopping Area (Map)
Total24
Shoplifting10
Burglary3
Violence and sexual offences3
Anti-social behaviour2
Other theft2
Bicycle theft1
Criminal damage and arson1
Possession of weapons1
Public order1
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total24
Violence and sexual offences18
Public order6
7. St John Street (Map)
Total23
Anti-social behaviour9
Shoplifting4
Violence and sexual offences4
Bicycle theft2
Criminal damage and arson2
Other theft1
Theft from the person1
8. Parking Area (Map)
Total21
Shoplifting16
Possession of weapons2
Bicycle theft1
Other theft1
Theft from the person1
9. Parking Area (Map)
Total20
Vehicle crime7
Violence and sexual offences6
Criminal damage and arson2
Public order2
Anti-social behaviour1
Drugs1
Other theft1
10. Windsor Lane (Map)
Total18
Anti-social behaviour8
Other theft4
Violence and sexual offences4
Burglary1
Public order1

  • 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.