Crime Rate in Cathays: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Cathays

The total recorded crimes in Cathays, Cardiff, UK in May 2025 are around 601 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Cathays crime rate of 4.44 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 May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (190) incidents (-1.55% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (114) incidents (-24.00% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (73) incidents (-21.51% decrease)
Cathays Crime Hotspots

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

  • Heol Eglwys Fair with total crimes: 30
  • Parking Area with total crimes: 30
  • Shopping Area with total crimes: 30

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 May 2025 the Cathays has recorded 601 crimes with crime rate of 4.44 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.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Cathays)CrimesRank (Cathays)CrimesRank (Cathays)
Adamsdown381 25,058 35,023 2
Butetown328 35,530 25,000 3
Grangetown232 52,896 42,794 4
Penylan235 42,530 72,426 7
Plasnewydd169 102,817 52,705 5
Riverside178 82,656 62,575 6
Trowbridge206 62,275 81,912 11
Canton180 72,170 91,707 12
Ely173 92,068 102,180 8
Splott140 111,831 112,040 9
Caerau119 131,823 121,998 10
Llanrumney128 121,472 141,444 15
Fairwater106 171,591 131,638 13
Pentwyn117 151,471 151,461 14
Whitchurch and Tongwynlais118 141,249 161,227 16
Pontprennau and Old St Mellons108 161,006 19783 22
Heath83 201,035 181,143 17
Llanishen93 181,079 17970 18
Llandaff North87 19830 22907 19
Gabalfa80 21839 21901 20
Rumney59 22840 20787 21
Cyncoed50 24692 23698 23
Llandaff50 23491 25473 25
Pentyrch and St Fagans44 25530 24504 24
Rhiwbina38 27400 26419 26
Lisvane and Thornhill39 26355 27300 27
Radyr30 28261 28247 28

Cathays Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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).

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).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 663 Other theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 51.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 132 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202544
April 202532
March 202545
February 202536
January 202546
December 202455
November 202454
October 202431
September 202441
August 202443
July 202441
June 2024132
May 202463

A total of 430 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 33.08 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 92 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202523
April 20254
March 202525
February 202520
January 202530
December 202429
November 202420
October 202433
September 202439
August 202439
July 202445
June 202492
May 202431

A total of 1107 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 85.15 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 150 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202573
April 202593
March 202578
February 202582
January 202574
December 202480
November 202499
October 202470
September 202482
August 202468
July 202469
June 2024150
May 202489

A total of 2588 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 199.08 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 390 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025190
April 2025193
March 2025177
February 2025194
January 2025200
December 2024209
November 2024173
October 2024175
September 2024162
August 2024168
July 2024167
June 2024390
May 2024190

A total of 828 Public order incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 63.69 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 132 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202549
April 202549
March 202567
February 202559
January 202545
December 202455
November 202449
October 202452
September 202456
August 202469
July 202472
June 2024132
May 202474

A total of 314 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 24.15 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 72 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202518
April 202521
March 202523
February 202513
January 202516
December 202418
November 202420
October 202431
September 20247
August 202422
July 202415
June 202472
May 202438

A total of 408 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 31.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 74 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202530
April 202524
March 202531
February 202534
January 202527
December 202414
November 202426
October 202426
September 202441
August 202424
July 202431
June 202474
May 202426

A total of 118 Robbery incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 9.83 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 20 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20258
April 202514
March 20259
February 20252
January 20254
December 20244
October 20248
September 20247
August 202411
July 202414
June 202420
May 202417

A total of 518 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 39.85 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 82 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202517
April 202522
March 202515
February 202525
January 202516
December 202431
November 202443
October 202453
September 202446
August 202465
July 202448
June 202482
May 202455

A total of 68 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 5.23 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 12 reported cases.

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

A total of 2048 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 157.54 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 414 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025114
April 2025150
March 2025122
February 2025109
January 202596
December 2024124
November 2024126
October 2024120
September 2024134
August 2024192
July 2024164
June 2024414
May 2024183

A total of 285 Burglary incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 21.92 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 51 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202511
April 202510
March 202515
February 202523
January 202525
December 202420
November 202414
October 202419
September 202451
August 202436
July 202417
June 202426
May 202418

A total of 232 Drugs incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 17.85 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 26 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202514
April 202523
March 202522
February 202522
January 202514
December 202419
November 202421
October 202415
September 202417
August 202416
July 202413
June 202426
May 202410

A total of 92 Other crime incidents were recorded over 13 month period, averaging 7.67 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 16 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 202512
March 20259
February 20255
January 20253
November 202416
October 20244
September 20246
August 20247
July 20245
June 202416
May 20245

High Crime Locations Cathays in May 2025

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

1. Heol Eglwys Fair (Map)
Total30
Violence and sexual offences14
Other theft4
Public order4
Anti-social behaviour2
Theft from the person2
Bicycle theft1
Criminal damage and arson1
Drugs1
Shoplifting1
2. Parking Area (Map)
Total30
Shoplifting18
Violence and sexual offences3
Anti-social behaviour2
Public order2
Bicycle theft1
Criminal damage and arson1
Other theft1
Theft from the person1
Vehicle crime1
3. Shopping Area (Map)
Total30
Shoplifting18
Anti-social behaviour4
Violence and sexual offences4
Other theft2
Public order1
Theft from the person1
4. St John Street (Map)
Total26
Violence and sexual offences9
Anti-social behaviour8
Shoplifting3
Bicycle theft1
Criminal damage and arson1
Possession of weapons1
Public order1
Robbery1
Theft from the person1
5. Heol Y Tollty (Map)
Total26
Violence and sexual offences14
Anti-social behaviour4
Public order4
Theft from the person2
Criminal damage and arson1
Other theft1
6. Supermarket (Map)
Total25
Violence and sexual offences6
Anti-social behaviour5
Other theft3
Public order3
Robbery2
Theft from the person2
Bicycle theft1
Burglary1
Possession of weapons1
Shoplifting1
7. Supermarket (Map)
Total24
Shoplifting22
Drugs1
Other theft1
8. Nightclub (Map)
Total23
Shoplifting9
Violence and sexual offences5
Anti-social behaviour2
Public order2
Theft from the person2
Bicycle theft1
Burglary1
Other theft1
9. Heol Tyr Brodyr (Map)
Total19
Violence and sexual offences8
Anti-social behaviour4
Criminal damage and arson2
Bicycle theft1
Burglary1
Public order1
Robbery1
Vehicle crime1
10. Parking Area (Map)
Total17
Anti-social behaviour4
Violence and sexual offences4
Public order3
Criminal damage and arson2
Shoplifting2
Drugs1
Theft from the person1

  • 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.