Cardiff Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Violence and sexual offences drive Cardiff's February 2024 crime picture, contributing 30.6% of all reported crimes. This category alone sits 8% above the UK average, reflecting a persistent challenge in the city's urban core, where nightlife activity and high population density may amplify interpersonal conflicts. Anti-social behaviour and shoplifting follow as the next most common categories, with the latter reaching 104% above the UK average—a stark contrast to the national trend. These figures align with Cardiff's character as a major Welsh urban centre with a vibrant retail and entertainment sector, which likely contributes to higher rates of theft and disorder. The overall crime rate of 8.7 per 1,000 residents places the city 22.5% above the UK average of 7.1, highlighting a need for targeted interventions. Seasonal context suggests a pre-spring lull in outdoor activity, yet violence remains elevated, possibly linked to indoor gatherings or unresolved tensions during colder months. While property crime accounts for 41.6% of total incidents, the dominance of violent crime underscores the complexity of addressing safety in a densely populated area with diverse demographics.

February 2024 saw a 31.1% increase in 'other crime'—a category encompassing a range of less-defined incidents—jumping from 45 to 59 reports. This rise, coupled with an 15.8% uptick in drug-related offences, suggests shifting patterns in criminal activity. Conversely, bicycle theft plummeted by 53.1%, from 113 to 53, potentially reflecting seasonal factors or improved security measures in public spaces. Burglary also decreased by 32.8%, though it remains 33% below the UK average, indicating a possible success in property crime prevention. Shoplifting continues to outpace UK rates by 104%, a figure that may be linked to the city's retail hubs and high foot traffic in commercial areas. The 8.7 per 1,000 crime rate, while down 7.9% from January 2024, still leaves Cardiff significantly above the national benchmark. For residents, the 30.6% share of violence and sexual offences highlights the need for community-focused initiatives in areas with concentrated nightlife or public transport networks.

February 2024's crime rate of 8.7 per 1,000 marks a 7.9% decrease from January's 9.5 per 1,000, yet the city remains 22.5% above the UK average. Daily crime statistics reveal 116 incidents reported each day, a figure that translates to roughly one crime for every 115 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate, while lower than the previous month, still reflects a higher-than-average risk compared to the UK context. With a population of 383,919, the city's crime profile shows stark contrasts in category-specific rates: shoplifting and public order offences are well above UK averages, while burglary and theft from the person are below. This disparity suggests that Cardiff's urban dynamics—such as its role as a regional economic hub with active retail and entertainment sectors—may drive certain types of crime more than others. The 1-in-115 resident figure, while a monthly aggregate, provides a tangible sense of risk for locals, emphasizing the importance of localized policing strategies and community engagement to address persistent challenges.