Cardiff Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Cardiff, 10.4 crimes were reported in July 2023, placing the city 25.3% above the UK average of 8.3 per 1,000. This translates to a resident facing a 1-in-96 chance of experiencing a reported crime over the course of the month. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (26.4% of total), anti-social behaviour (15.9%), and shoplifting (12.4%). These patterns align with July's seasonal context: schools out of session, tourism at its peak, and festivals drawing crowds to the city centre. Violence and sexual offences, while still the largest category, saw an 11.2% decrease from June, possibly linked to the summer holidays reducing late-night activity in some areas. However, shoplifting remained sharply elevated, 117% above the UK average, likely driven by the high footfall in retail districts during the tourist season. Anti-social behaviour, at 20% above the UK average, may reflect the challenges of managing large crowds in public spaces. The city's position as a major urban centre with a vibrant cultural calendar creates a unique crime profile, where entertainment and tourism intersect with everyday life. While the overall rate is higher than the UK average, the specific types of crime reflect Cardiff's character as a city with a strong retail and nightlife sector, alongside the pressures of managing large transient populations during peak summer months.

July 2023 saw a 59.2% increase in bicycle theft compared to June, with 164 reported cases—300% above the UK average. This surge may be linked to the city's cycling infrastructure and the influx of tourists using bikes to navigate the city. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell by 11.2%, a shift consistent with the summer holidays reducing late-night activity in some areas. Anti-social behaviour remained a significant concern, 20% above the UK average, with 635 incidents reported. Shoplifting, at 12.4% of total crimes, was 117% above the UK average, likely driven by the high footfall in retail districts during the tourist season. Public order offences also rose sharply, 61% above the UK average, with 385 incidents recorded. These figures highlight the dual challenge of managing a bustling city during peak tourism while addressing persistent issues in public spaces. The data also reveals a notable contrast in property crime trends: burglary was 9% below the UK average, while vehicle crime was 46% above. This discrepancy may reflect the city's mix of urban and suburban areas, where car theft is more prevalent in densely populated zones. For residents, the 59.2% increase in bicycle theft serves as a clear warning to secure bikes in high-traffic areas.

Cardiff's crime rate in July 2023 was 10.4 per 1,000 residents, a 2.1% decrease from June's 10.6 rate. Over the course of the month, this translated to 1 reported crime for every 96 residents—a figure that, while higher than the UK average, reflects the city's population density and urban character. On a daily basis, 128 crimes were reported each day, a localised metric that captures the rhythm of a city with a dynamic economy and active nightlife. When compared to the UK average, Cardiff's crime profile shows stark contrasts: shoplifting was 117% above the national average, while burglary was 9% below. This divergence underscores the unique challenges of a major urban centre with a strong retail sector. The 1-in-96 monthly exposure rate is a tangible measure for residents, illustrating that while the absolute number of crimes is high, the distribution across the population is manageable. The city's population of 383,919 means that individual risk is diluted across a large community, though concentrated areas like the city centre face higher localized pressures. This comparison highlights the importance of understanding crime in context: Cardiff's rate is higher than the UK average, but the types of crime and their distribution reflect the city's specific demographics and geography.