Crime Rate in Penylan: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Penylan

The total recorded crimes in Penylan, Cardiff, UK in May 2025 are around 235 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Penylan crime rate of 6.26 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 Penylan, encompassing approximately 37,517 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (53) incidents (35.90% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (29) incidents (-12.12% decrease)
  • Public order: (27) incidents (50.00% increase)
Penylan Crime Hotspots

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

  • Watford Road with total crimes: 27
  • Ffordd Nowell with total crimes: 18
  • Rhymney River Bridge Road with total crimes: 18

How safe is Penylan?

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

  • Relative to Cardiff:

    • In 2024, Penylan reported a higher crime volume than the Cardiff average, with 2,530 crimes compared to 1,964. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Furthermore, Penylan witnessed more crimes than 21 out of 27 other areas in the Cardiff.

    • In 2023, Penylan experienced a greater number of crimes than the Cardiff average, with 2,426 crimes compared to 1,793. This indicates a higher crime burden for the area in the region during this period. Furthermore, Penylan witnessed more crimes than 21 out of 27 other areas in the Cardiff.

  • Overall Assessment:

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

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

Penylan Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Penylan has recorded 235 crimes with crime rate of 6.26 ranking 4th out of 27 in the Cardiff, UK

In 2024, the total Penylan crimes were 2,530. The crime rate of Penylan in 2024 was 67.44 (year) or 5.62 (month) ranking it 7 dangerous area in the Cardiff.

In 2023, the total crimes in Penylan were around 2,426 crimes with yearly crime rate of 64.66 (year) or 5.39 (month) ranking 7 most dangerous area in the Cardiff.

AreaMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (Penylan)CrimesRank (Penylan)CrimesRank (Penylan)
Cathays601 19,209 15,953 1
Adamsdown381 25,058 35,023 2
Butetown328 35,530 25,000 3
Grangetown232 52,896 42,794 4
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

Penylan Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (53 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (29 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (39 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (33 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (51 incidents) and then Public order showed a substantial number of incidents (26 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 47 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 29 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Vehicle crime (37 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (36 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 29 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 23 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Shoplifting (39 reports) and Violence and sexual offences incidents were also notably high (36 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (45 incidents), followed by Vehicle crime also remained a significant concern (31 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (50 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (50 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (33 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (22 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Shoplifting saw the largest number of reported crimes with 49 incidents, and Violence and sexual offences was another prevalent crime category with 35 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 141 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 12.82 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 24 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202524
April 202512
March 202515
February 202513
January 20259
December 202410
November 202410
October 202421
September 20244
August 202413
July 202410

A total of 454 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 41.27 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 53 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202553
April 202539
March 202551
February 202547
January 202536
December 202429
November 202436
October 202445
September 202450
August 202433
July 202435

A total of 218 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 19.82 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 33 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202529
April 202533
March 202522
February 20259
January 202514
December 202419
November 202416
October 202418
September 202420
August 202422
July 202416

A total of 336 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 30.55 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 50 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202526
April 202521
March 202522
February 202529
January 202532
December 202423
November 202439
October 202423
September 202450
August 202422
July 202449

A total of 208 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 18.91 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 37 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202519
April 202512
March 202521
February 202510
January 202537
December 20249
November 202420
October 202431
September 202420
August 202413
July 202416

A total of 217 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 19.73 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 31 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202527
April 202518
March 202526
February 202518
January 202515
December 202418
November 202417
October 20248
September 202423
August 202416
July 202431

A total of 160 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 14.55 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202515
April 20256
March 202522
February 202514
January 202513
December 202413
November 202412
October 202422
September 202415
August 20249
July 202419

A total of 173 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 15.73 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 31 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202511
April 202515
March 202510
February 202527
January 20256
December 202413
November 202411
October 202411
September 202423
August 202415
July 202431

A total of 16 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 3.20 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20256
February 20256
January 20251
December 20241
November 20242

A total of 25 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 3.57 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20258
April 20251
January 20253
December 20243
November 20243
October 20241
September 20246

A total of 67 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 6.09 incidents per month. February 2025 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 14 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202510
April 20259
March 20254
February 202514
January 20257
December 20245
November 20241
October 20243
September 20248
August 20243
July 20243

A total of 25 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 3.12 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20254
April 20253
March 20253
January 20254
November 20242
October 20243
September 20243
August 20243

A total of 47 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 5.22 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 9 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20253
April 20257
March 20259
February 20257
January 20252
December 20246
November 20243
August 20242
July 20248

A total of 10 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 3.33 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20254
January 20251
July 20245

High Crime Locations Penylan in May 2025

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

1. Watford Road (Map)
Total27
Vehicle crime9
Bicycle theft3
Burglary3
Criminal damage and arson3
Possession of weapons3
Robbery3
Shoplifting3
2. Ffordd Nowell (Map)
Total18
Violence and sexual offences12
Anti-social behaviour3
Other crime3
3. Rhymney River Bridge Road (Map)
Total18
Shoplifting6
Criminal damage and arson3
Other theft3
Vehicle crime3
Violence and sexual offences3
4. Southminster Road (Map)
Total15
Anti-social behaviour6
Other theft3
Possession of weapons3
Public order3
5. Shopping Area (Map)
Total12
Shoplifting9
Violence and sexual offences3
6. Stallcourt Avenue (Map)
Total9
Anti-social behaviour9
7. Trafalgar Road (Map)
Total9
Public order6
Anti-social behaviour3
8. Harlequin Court (Map)
Total9
Other crime6
Violence and sexual offences3
9. Dominion Way (Map)
Total9
Burglary9
10. Balaclava Road (Map)
Total7
Violence and sexual offences3
Other theft2
Anti-social behaviour1
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.