Cardiff Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Cardiff's overall crime rate of 9.4 per 1,000 residents in November 2024 places it 23.7% above the UK average of 7.6 per 1,000, a significant disparity that reflects the city's urban character and high population density. This rate is driven by three dominant crime categories: violence and sexual offences (29.0% of all reported crimes), anti-social behaviour (15.2%), and shoplifting (13.9%). These patterns align with the seasonal context of November, when extended dark evenings and the Black Friday shopping period create conditions conducive to anti-social behaviour and retail crime. The city's vibrant nightlife and retail sectors, concentrated in areas like Cardiff Bay and the city centre, likely contribute to the elevated rates of violence and shoplifting compared to less densely populated regions. Meanwhile, the 2.7 per 1,000 rate for violence and sexual offences is 5% above the UK average, highlighting a specific challenge in managing public safety during peak hours and in high-traffic areas. The seasonal context also includes Bonfire Night, which may have influenced spikes in anti-social behaviour and public order offences, though these remain below the 10% threshold for significant statistical variation. The city's infrastructure and demographics—characterised by a mix of student populations, commuter hubs, and historic town centres—further shape the crime profile, with shoplifting rates (1.3 per 1,000) 88% above the UK average, a figure that suggests targeted interventions in retail zones may be necessary to address this discrepancy.

November 2024 saw notable month-on-month changes in Cardiff's crime profile, with increases in 'other crime' (+32.8%) and bicycle theft (+23.9%) contrasting sharply with declines in robbery (-37.5%) and burglary (-31.6%). The surge in 'other crime'—a category encompassing minor offences like vandalism and disorder—may reflect the impact of Bonfire Night events, which often see temporary spikes in public order incidents. Bicycle theft, which rose by 23.9% to 88 incidents, could be linked to the Black Friday shopping period, as increased foot traffic in retail areas may have created opportunities for opportunistic theft. Conversely, the 37.5% drop in robbery cases, from 24 to 15, may indicate a combination of heightened police presence in high-risk areas and the seasonal shift in criminal activity from street-level theft to other forms of crime. The 31.6% decrease in burglary, from 155 to 106, is particularly noteworthy, as it suggests that the city's home security initiatives—such as the installation of CCTV in residential areas—may be having a measurable impact. However, these declines must be viewed against the backdrop of Cardiff's overall elevated crime rate, with shoplifting remaining 88% above the UK average and anti-social behaviour 26% above national figures. For residents, the 1.3 per 1,000 rate for shoplifting—a stark contrast to the UK's 0.7 per 1,000—offers a concrete insight into the need for enhanced retail security measures in the city's major shopping districts.

Cardiff's November 2024 crime rate of 9.4 per 1,000 represents a 6.5% decrease from the previous month's rate of 10.1 per 1,000, a modest but measurable improvement that may reflect the seasonal transition into the quieter winter months. On a daily basis, the city recorded approximately 109 crimes per day in November, a figure that, while high, is consistent with the urban environment and population density of a city with over 348,000 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 106 residents, a monthly exposure rate that underscores the frequency of criminal activity in a densely populated area. When compared to the UK average, this figure highlights the unique challenges faced by Cardiff, where the combination of a large student population, commuter hubs, and historic town centres creates a complex environment for crime prevention. The city's population-scaled perspective reveals that, despite the 6.5% month-on-month decline, Cardiff remains significantly above the national average, with the 23.7% gap persisting as a key concern for local authorities. This comparison also illustrates the disparity in crime patterns between urban and rural areas, with Cardiff's elevated rates for anti-social behaviour and shoplifting contrasting sharply with the lower crime rates typically observed in less densely populated regions. For residents, the 1-in-106 monthly exposure figure serves as a reminder of the need for continued vigilance and community engagement in crime prevention efforts.