Cardiff Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a city of 383,919 residents, August 2023 saw 4,347 crimes reported, equating to 11.3 crimes per 1,000 people. This rate is 39.5% higher than the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, reflecting a pattern of elevated crime activity in Cardiff during the summer months. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (26.4% of total crimes), anti-social behaviour (15.3%), and shoplifting (11.5%). These figures align with the seasonal rhythm of August, a peak holiday month that brings increased tourism and temporary population shifts. The high incidence of shoplifting may be linked to the city’s retail presence and summer shopping patterns, while anti-social behaviour could be influenced by the density of urban spaces and higher foot traffic. Public order offences, which rose to 10.3% of total crimes, may also be tied to the influx of visitors and the associated challenges of managing crowds in public areas. The data suggests that Cardiff’s crime profile during August is shaped by a combination of its urban character, seasonal dynamics, and the transient nature of its population during the summer. The rate of violence and sexual offences, at 3.0 per 1,000, is 14% above the UK average, a disparity that may reflect the city’s role as a major urban centre with a complex mix of social and economic factors. Meanwhile, shoplifting’s 117% above UK average highlights the vulnerability of commercial districts to theft, exacerbated by the summer months when retail activity is at its peak. These patterns underscore the need for targeted interventions during periods of high tourism and population flux.

August 2023 marked a 9.2% increase in Cardiff’s overall crime rate compared to July, with notable spikes in specific categories. Vehicle crime rose sharply by 39.6%, jumping from 255 to 356 incidents, a trend that may be linked to increased travel during the summer months or the presence of temporary residents. Burglary also surged by 39.0%, with 171 incidents reported—a significant jump from the previous month’s 123 cases. This could be attributed to the peak holiday season, when homes are more likely to be unoccupied, creating opportunities for theft. Public order offences grew by 16.1%, reflecting the challenges of managing crowds in public spaces during a busy tourist period. Conversely, some categories saw declines: other crime dropped by 38.7% (62 to 38), and bicycle theft fell by 11.0% (164 to 146), due to seasonal changes in cycling activity or improved security measures. The rate of shoplifting, at 1.3 per 1,000, was 117% above the UK average, highlighting a persistent issue in Cardiff’s retail areas. Meanwhile, drugs offences were 9% below the UK average, a deviation that may be explained by local policing strategies or demographic factors. These fluctuations illustrate the dynamic nature of crime in a city that balances urban density with seasonal variations in population and activity.

August 2023’s crime rate of 11.3 per 1,000 residents marked a 9.2% increase from July’s rate of 10.4, underscoring a steady upward trend over the summer. On a daily basis, Cardiff recorded approximately 140 crimes per day, a figure that translates to a local experience of one reported crime for every 88 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, while not directly comparable to UK-wide statistics, provides a tangible sense of the frequency of crime in a city of Cardiff’s size and population density. The rate of violence and sexual offences, at 3.0 per 1,000, is 14% above the UK average, a disparity that may reflect the city’s role as a major urban hub with a complex social fabric. Similarly, shoplifting’s 117% above UK average suggests a unique vulnerability in Cardiff’s retail corridors, potentially influenced by the summer months when foot traffic is at its peak. However, some categories, such as drugs offences, were 9% below the UK average, indicating that local factors—such as targeted policing or community initiatives—may have contributed to lower rates in specific areas. These comparisons highlight the importance of understanding Cardiff’s crime picture within both its own seasonal context and the broader UK landscape.