Cardiff Crime Rate

Cardiff currently has an overall crime rate of 117.0 per 1,000 people, which is significantly higher than the UK average of 91.6. Despite this higher figure, the city maintains a safety score of 74/100, indicating that while crime is present, it is often concentrated in specific urban contexts. Encouragingly, the recent trend shows that crime is decreasing, with a 5.7% reduction year-over-year. This downward trajectory suggests that Cardiff is becoming safer over time. The following data provides a detailed breakdown of crime types, trends, and time-based patterns to help residents and visitors understand the local safety environment and take appropriate precautions.

In Cardiff, the crime landscape is primarily defined by three main categories: Violence and sexual offences (31.0%), Anti-social behaviour (12.8%), and Shoplifting (11.9%). Together, these highlight the challenges typical of a major urban centre and regional capital. Property crime is a significant concern for residents, with a rate of 45.7 per 1,000 people, which is notably higher than the UK average of 32.2. This broad category includes 2,751 vehicle crimes and 1,360 burglaries over the year. For homeowners, the relatively high property crime rate suggests a need for robust physical and electronic security. While violent crime is the most frequent report, the volume of theft and vehicle-related offences indicates that opportunistic property crime remains a persistent issue within the city's residential and commercial districts.

The crime rate in Cardiff has shown a steady decrease over the past year, falling by 5.7% compared to the previous period. Analysis of the monthly trend data for 2025 reveals a peak in March, where the rate reached 10.7 per 1,000 people. Following this, the rate fluctuated but generally trended downwards, reaching its lowest point of the year in December at 8.4. Other notable months include May and June, both remaining stable at 10.2. This downward trend is a positive indicator for residents, suggesting that despite the city's higher-than-average crime rate, the overall volume of reported incidents is on a decline. This could reflect the success of local crime prevention initiatives or changes in policing priorities throughout the year.

How To Keep Safe in Cardiff

The most prevalent crime in Cardiff is Violence and sexual offences, accounting for 31.0% of all reports. To enhance your personal safety in the city, consider the following advice:

1. Plan Your Travel: When enjoying Cardiff's nightlife or travelling late, always plan your route in advance. Use well-lit, busy streets and avoid taking shortcuts through isolated parks or alleyways.
2. Stay Aware in Crowds: In busy areas like St Mary Street or near the Principality Stadium, remain aware of your surroundings. High footfall can sometimes lead to increased incidents of public order or personal safety issues.
3. Use Licensed Transport: Always use licensed taxis or reputable ride-sharing apps. If walking, try to stay with a group of friends rather than heading home alone.
4. Trust Your Instincts: If a situation or location feels uncomfortable, leave immediately and head towards a busy, well-lit area or a 'Safe Space' if available.
5. Keep Belongings Secure: While the primary concern is violence, keeping your phone and valuables out of sight reduces your profile as a potential target for various types of opportunistic crime.

In Cardiff, crime distribution follows distinct temporal patterns. Morning and afternoon hours are dominated by theft-related offences, which peak at 42% between 12pm and 6pm. This likely corresponds with the high volume of retail and commercial activity in the city centre. As the day transitions into the evening, 'Other' crimes, which include public order and anti-social behaviour, become the most prominent, making up 51% of reports. The night-time hours (12am - 6am) see a significant shift, with vehicle crime becoming the primary concern, accounting for 46% of all incidents. This suggests that while daytime crime is often opportunistic and retail-focused, night-time crime targets unattended property and vehicles. Residents should be particularly mindful of vehicle security overnight and remain vigilant in busy commercial areas during the day.

When looking at the wider region, Cardiff's crime rate of 117.0 per 1,000 people is nearly identical to that of Tongwynlais, which sits at 114.7. This suggests a consistent crime profile across these connected urban areas. In contrast, Penarth offers a significantly lower crime rate of 55.0 per 1,000, making it a potentially quieter alternative for those looking to stay near the capital. Most notably, the nearby settlements of St Fagans and Broadstreet Common both reported zero crimes per 1,000 people in this data period. While these zero-rate figures often stem from smaller populations or different reporting structures, they highlight the high degree of safety found in the more rural fringes of the local authority.

With a property crime rate of 45.7 per 1,000 residents, protecting your home in Cardiff requires more than just reactive measures. Traditional security systems, such as standard CCTV or video doorbells, often only provide footage of a crime after it has already occurred. This "recording of the event" does little to prevent the initial intrusion or the resulting trauma. In an area with Cardiff's crime profile, proactive protection is essential. The scOS operating system utilizes AI to monitor your property boundary in real-time, identifying threats before they reach your door. By detecting patterns and verifying vehicles through DVLA data, scOS can trigger autonomous responses—such as activating lights or speakers—to deter criminals instantly. Most burglars make a decision to target a property within 60 seconds; a visible, intelligent system like scOS makes that decision easy by forcing them to move on. Choosing prevention over reaction is the most effective way to safeguard your property and family in a busy urban environment.