Cardiff Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Cardiff

Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, reports an overall crime rate of 110.5 per 1,000 residents per year. This figure is notably higher than the UK average of 93.4 per 1,000. Despite this, Cardiff's safety score of 76 out of 100 indicates a relatively safer environment compared to many areas, especially when contrasted with the UK average safety score of 78. Encouragingly, the city has experienced a decreasing trend in crime, with a 7.9% reduction year-on-year, offering a positive outlook on its evolving crime landscape. This introduction sets the stage for a more detailed examination of specific crime types, trends, and comparisons with neighbouring areas.

About Cardiff's Crime Statistics

Cardiff is a vibrant urban centre, serving as a major commercial, educational, and cultural hub in Wales. Its characteristics as a densely populated city with significant nightlife, tourism, and transport infrastructure naturally contribute to its crime statistics. The presence of a large transient population, including students and visitors, can influence certain crime types, particularly those related to public order and theft. As a capital city, Cardiff attracts a diverse range of activities, from major sporting events to bustling shopping districts and a thriving evening economy, all of which can impact crime patterns. Economic factors, such as varying levels of deprivation within different areas of the city, may also play a role in the distribution and prevalence of certain criminal activities. Understanding these intrinsic characteristics of Cardiff provides crucial context for interpreting its crime rate and safety score.

Crime Type Analysis in Cardiff

An analysis of crime types in Cardiff reveals that Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent, accounting for 30.7% of all crimes with 13,023 incidents, equating to 33.9 per 1,000 residents. Following this, Anti-social behaviour is the second most common, with 5,790 incidents (13.7% of total crime, 15.1 per 1,000), and Shoplifting ranks third, with 5,188 incidents (12.2% of total crime, 13.5 per 1,000).

Beyond these top three, property-related crime is a significant area of concern for residents and homeowners. Cardiff's property crime rate stands at 43.1 per 1,000 residents per year, which is higher than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This category encompasses a range of offences including burglary (1,475 crimes, 3.8 per 1,000), vehicle crime (2,790 crimes, 7.3 per 1,000), other theft (2,361 crimes, 6.2 per 1,000), criminal damage and arson (3,086 crimes, 8.0 per 1,000), bicycle theft (812 crimes, 2.1 per 1,000), robbery (420 crimes, 1.1 per 1,000), and theft from the person (412 crimes, 1.1 per 1,000). The elevated property crime rate suggests that residents should be particularly vigilant about securing their homes, vehicles, and personal belongings.

Crime Trends in Cardiff

Cardiff has experienced a positive trend in its crime statistics, with an overall decreasing trend of 7.9% year-on-year. This indicates a reduction in total crimes compared to the previous 12-month period. Looking at the monthly crime rates per 1,000 residents, there have been fluctuations. For instance, the crime rate saw a notable increase in March 2025, reaching 10.1 per 1,000, after hovering around 8.7-9.0 per 1,000 in the preceding months. However, this was followed by a decrease in April to 9.1 per 1,000 and a further drop to 8.4 per 1,000 in September 2025, marking the lowest point in the observed period. These patterns suggest that while the overall trend is downward, there can be monthly variations that residents should be aware of. A decreasing trend offers reassurance, but continuous awareness and proactive measures remain important for maintaining safety within the community.

Comparing Cardiff with Nearby Areas

To provide regional context, it is useful to compare Cardiff's crime statistics with those of its neighbouring local authority districts. The Vale of Glamorgan, Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Newport, Torfaen, and Bridgend all offer different crime profiles. While specific figures for each area would provide a direct comparison, understanding that these areas represent a mix of urban, suburban, and more rural environments helps to contextualise Cardiff's position. As a major city, Cardiff typically experiences higher crime rates than its more rural counterparts due to factors like population density and urban activities. Examining the crime rates and safety scores of these adjacent areas allows residents to gain a broader understanding of regional safety and how Cardiff compares within the wider South Wales context.

Protecting Your Property in Cardiff

Given Cardiff's property crime rate of 43.1 per 1,000 residents, which is above the UK average, residents should consider robust home security measures. Traditional security approaches, such as standard CCTV cameras, often only provide footage of a burglary after it has occurred, acting as a reactive recording system rather than a preventative one. For true peace of mind and proactive protection, an AI-powered home security operating system like scOS offers a distinct advantage.

scOS is designed to prevent crime before it happens by detecting threats at your property boundary. Unlike systems that simply notify you after an intrusion, scOS intervenes in real-time. Its multi-camera intelligence watches all cameras simultaneously, ensuring no blind spots, and features like DVLA vehicle verification can instantly catch fake plates. By learning your family's routines and distinguishing real threats from everyday activities, scOS minimises false alarms. When a genuine threat is detected, it can autonomously activate lights and engage speakers, creating an immediate deterrent and destroying the element of surprise that burglars rely on. Most burglars make a decision within 60 seconds; visible and professional-grade deterrence makes them move on, rather than attempting a break-in. If you are seeking to move beyond simply recording crime to actively preventing it, a proactive system like scOS offers a significant step up in property protection.