Cardiff Crime Rate February 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences dominated Cardiff's crime profile in February 2023, accounting for 30.4% of all reported incidents. This category, which recorded 923 incidents, was 2% below the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000, suggesting a potential divergence in local dynamics. However, the city's overall crime rate of 7.9 per 1,000 residents—14.5% above the UK average—reflects a combination of factors. Anti-social behaviour, at 1.1 per 1,000, emerged as a significant contributor, 13% above the UK benchmark. This may be linked to Cardiff's status as a major urban centre with a diverse population and high levels of social interaction in public spaces. The winter month's low outdoor activity likely contributed to a pre-spring lull in some areas, though this was offset by elevated rates in property-related crimes. Criminal damage and arson, at 0.8 per 1,000, were 43% above the UK average, a trend consistent with Cardiff's history of targeted vandalism in high-traffic areas. Vehicle crime also spiked, with 0.8 per 1,000 incidents, 78% above the national figure, a pattern likely driven by the city's dense urban fabric and reliance on car ownership. These statistics illustrate the need for tailored strategies addressing both violent and property-related crime, while acknowledging the seasonal context of a winter month with limited outdoor activity.

Violence and sexual offences remained the dominant crime category, accounting for 30.4% of all reported incidents. This contrasts with the UK average of 2.5 per 1,000 for the same category, placing Cardiff's rate 2% below the national figure. Anti-social behaviour, however, saw a marked deviation, with 1.1 per 1,000 reported incidents—13% above the UK average. This discrepancy may partly explain the city's overall elevated crime rate. Vehicle crime also surged, with 0.8 per 1,000 incidents recorded, 78% above the UK average. This aligns with Cardiff's dense urban environment and high volume of parked vehicles in residential and commercial areas. Shoplifting rates were 59% above the UK average, a trend likely driven by the city's vibrant retail sector and high footfall in shopping districts during the pre-spring lull. These figures suggest that while violent crime remains a concern, property-related offences are contributing to Cardiff's elevated crime profile.

Cardiff's February 2023 crime rate of 7.9 per 1,000 residents places it 14.5% above the UK average. This figure translates to roughly 108 crimes reported daily across the city, highlighting the persistent demand on local policing resources. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 126 residents, a metric that contextualises the scale of incidents relative to the city's population of 383,919. While this monthly exposure rate is consistent with Cardiff's historical profile as a major urban centre, it underscores the need for targeted interventions. The daily crime count, though local-specific, offers a tangible snapshot of the frequency of incidents, enabling residents to gauge their risk in relation to broader patterns. This data also reveals that while Cardiff's crime rate exceeds the UK average, the distribution of crime types shows distinct regional variations, particularly in property-related offences which are high compared to national benchmarks.