Crime Rate in Cathays: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Cathays

The total recorded crimes in Cathays, Cardiff, UK in March 2025 are around 642 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Cathays crime rate of 4.74 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 Mar were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (177) incidents (-8.76% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (122) incidents (11.93% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (78) incidents (-4.88% decrease)
Cathays Crime Hotspots

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

  • Heol Eglwys Fair with total crimes: 46
  • Parking Area with total crimes: 41
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 34

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 cities.

    • 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 cities.

  • 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 March 2025 the Cathays has recorded 642 crimes with crime rate of 4.74 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.

AreaMarch 202520242023
CrimesRank (Cardiff)CrimesRank (Cardiff)CrimesRank (Cardiff)
Adamsdown410 25,058 35,023 2
Butetown388 35,530 25,000 3
Grangetown245 42,896 42,794 4
Plasnewydd185 92,817 52,705 5
Riverside237 52,656 62,575 6
Penylan209 62,530 72,426 7
Ely197 72,068 102,180 8
Trowbridge185 82,275 81,912 11
Splott156 121,831 112,040 9
Canton163 112,170 91,707 12
Caerau177 101,823 121,998 10
Fairwater112 161,591 131,638 13
Pentwyn146 131,471 151,461 14
Llanrumney116 141,472 141,444 15
Whitchurch and Tongwynlais112 151,249 161,227 16
Heath111 171,035 181,143 17
Llanishen98 181,079 17970 18
Llandaff North64 20830 22907 19
Pontprennau and Old St Mellons85 191,006 19783 22
Gabalfa64 21839 21901 20
Rumney52 24840 20787 21
Pentyrch and St Fagans54 22530 24504 24
Cyncoed52 23692 23698 23
Llandaff31 27491 25473 25
Rhiwbina41 25400 26419 26
Lisvane and Thornhill32 26355 27300 27
Radyr11 28261 28247 28

Cathays Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (162 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (134 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Shoplifting (192 incidents) and then Violence and sexual offences showed a substantial number of incidents (168 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 167 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 164 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Shoplifting (414 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (390 cases).

In May 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (190 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (183 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (192 incidents) were the most common in April 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (164 incidents) also being high.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 996 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 83.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 150 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202578
February 202582
January 202574
December 202480
November 202499
October 202470
September 202482
August 202468
July 202469
June 2024150
May 202489
April 202455

A total of 794 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 66.17 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 132 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202567
February 202559
January 202545
December 202455
November 202449
October 202452
September 202456
August 202469
July 202472
June 2024132
May 202474
April 202464

A total of 429 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 35.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 92 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202525
February 202520
January 202530
December 202429
November 202420
October 202433
September 202439
August 202439
July 202445
June 202492
May 202431
April 202426

A total of 2397 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 199.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 390 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025177
February 2025194
January 2025200
December 2024209
November 2024173
October 2024175
September 2024162
August 2024168
July 2024167
June 2024390
May 2024190
April 2024192

A total of 507 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 42.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 82 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202515
February 202525
January 202516
December 202431
November 202443
October 202453
September 202446
August 202465
July 202448
June 202482
May 202455
April 202428

A total of 1948 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 162.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 414 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025122
February 2025109
January 202596
December 2024124
November 2024126
October 2024120
September 2024134
August 2024192
July 2024164
June 2024414
May 2024183
April 2024164

A total of 284 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 23.67 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 51 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202515
February 202523
January 202525
December 202420
November 202414
October 202419
September 202451
August 202436
July 202417
June 202426
May 202418
April 202420

A total of 389 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 32.42 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 74 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202531
February 202534
January 202527
December 202414
November 202426
October 202426
September 202441
August 202424
July 202431
June 202474
May 202426
April 202435

A total of 208 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 17.33 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202522
February 202522
January 202514
December 202419
November 202421
October 202415
September 202417
August 202416
July 202413
June 202426
May 202410
April 202413

A total of 634 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 52.83 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 132 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202545
February 202536
January 202546
December 202455
November 202454
October 202431
September 202441
August 202443
July 202441
June 2024132
May 202463
April 202447

A total of 294 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 24.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 72 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202523
February 202513
January 202516
December 202418
November 202420
October 202431
September 20247
August 202422
July 202415
June 202472
May 202438
April 202419

A total of 80 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 7.27 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20259
February 20255
January 20253
November 202416
October 20244
September 20246
August 20247
July 20245
June 202416
May 20245
April 20244

A total of 66 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 5.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 12 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20254
February 20256
January 20252
December 20243
November 20244
October 20247
September 20241
August 20246
July 20245
June 202412
May 20246
April 202410

A total of 101 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 9.18 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20259
February 20252
January 20254
December 20244
October 20248
September 20247
August 202411
July 202414
June 202420
May 202417
April 20245

High Crime Locations Cathays in March 2025

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

1. Heol Eglwys Fair (Map)
Total46
Violence and sexual offences24
Other theft10
Theft from the person7
Anti-social behaviour2
Burglary1
Drugs1
Shoplifting1
2. Parking Area (Map)
Total41
Shoplifting31
Anti-social behaviour3
Public order3
Violence and sexual offences2
Robbery1
Theft from the person1
3. Shopping Area (Map)
Total34
Shoplifting16
Violence and sexual offences6
Anti-social behaviour5
Burglary1
Criminal damage and arson1
Drugs1
Other crime1
Other theft1
Public order1
Robbery1
4. Nightclub (Map)
Total31
Anti-social behaviour11
Shoplifting7
Violence and sexual offences6
Public order4
Drugs1
Other theft1
Robbery1
5. Heol Y Tollty (Map)
Total30
Violence and sexual offences9
Anti-social behaviour8
Public order3
Theft from the person3
Possession of weapons2
Burglary1
Criminal damage and arson1
Drugs1
Other theft1
Robbery1
6. St John Street (Map)
Total29
Anti-social behaviour8
Violence and sexual offences6
Bicycle theft3
Other theft3
Shoplifting3
Criminal damage and arson2
Public order2
Burglary1
Theft from the person1
7. Supermarket (Map)
Total26
Other theft5
Anti-social behaviour4
Violence and sexual offences4
Public order3
Shoplifting3
Bicycle theft2
Theft from the person2
Vehicle crime2
Criminal damage and arson1
8. Salisbury Road (Map)
Total21
Shoplifting19
Public order1
Violence and sexual offences1
9. Heol Tyr Brodyr (Map)
Total17
Violence and sexual offences7
Anti-social behaviour4
Public order3
Bicycle theft1
Robbery1
Theft from the person1
10. Supermarket (Map)
Total15
Violence and sexual offences9
Public order3
Vehicle crime3

  • 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.