Cardiff Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Cardiff's crime rate in October 2023 stood at 11.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it 43.8% above the UK average of 8.0 per 1,000. This urban centre's crime profile reflects the challenges of a densely populated area with significant retail, nightlife, and public transport networks. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 28.8% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (15.9%) and shoplifting (11.5%). These figures align with patterns seen in major cities where high foot traffic and social interactions contribute to elevated levels of violent and property crimes. The seasonal context of October—marked by darker evenings, the transition to winter, and Halloween—likely amplifies anti-social behaviour and public order incidents. While shoplifting and bicycle theft surged, the rate of burglary decreased slightly, possibly reflecting seasonal shifts in criminal activity or increased security measures in residential areas. The dominance of property-related crimes (37.2% of total crimes) over violent crimes (28.8%) suggests that economic factors and opportunities for theft remain significant drivers in the city's crime profile. However, the sharp contrast with the UK average underscores the need for targeted interventions in Cardiff's most affected neighbourhoods.

October 2023 saw a 3.3% increase in Cardiff's overall crime rate compared to the previous month, with several categories showing marked changes. Bicycle theft rose by 37.1%, climbing from 124 to 170 incidents, a jump that may reflect increased cycling during the autumn months or gaps in security at bike storage facilities. Shoplifting also surged by 28.8%, with 510 incidents recorded—124% above the UK average for this category. This stark deviation from national trends could indicate vulnerabilities in retail security or a response to economic pressures within the city. Conversely, burglary rates fell by 19.6% (from 163 to 131), linked to seasonal factors such as reduced outdoor activity or improved residential security. The city's anti-social behaviour rate (1.8 per 1,000) was 41% above the UK average, a figure that may be tied to Cardiff's vibrant nightlife and public transport hubs. The rate of drugs-related offences dropped by 23.7% (from 97 to 74), though this remains a relatively minor component of the city's overall crime picture. These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of Cardiff's crime patterns, with some categories showing troubling increases while others demonstrate signs of improvement.

Cardiff's crime rate in October 2023 increased to 11.5 per 1,000 residents, up from 11.2 per 1,000 in September—a 3.3% rise. This places the city in a challenging position relative to the UK average, with its overall rate remaining 43.8% higher than the national figure. On a daily basis, Cardiff experienced an average of 143 crimes per day in October, a figure that underscores the density of criminal activity in this urban centre. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 87 residents, a monthly exposure rate that is higher than many comparable cities. When scaled to the city's population of 383,919, this translates to a persistent challenge for local authorities in managing crime across diverse neighbourhoods. While the UK average for shoplifting is 0.6 per 1,000 residents, Cardiff's rate of 1.3 per 1,000 highlights a significant localised issue that may require tailored responses. These figures, when contextualised against the city's demographic and economic profile, reveal the combination of urban density, social dynamics, and crime prevention efforts in Cardiff.