Cardiff Crime Rate January 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Cardiff's January 2024 crime rate of 9.5 per 1,000 residents marked a 28.4% increase above the UK average of 7.4 per 1,000, reflecting the challenges of maintaining public safety in a major urban centre. Violence and sexual offences dominated the crime profile, accounting for 30.7% of all incidents, followed by shoplifting (14.4%) and anti-social behaviour (11.6%). These figures align with the city's character as a hub for both economic activity and social interaction, where high foot traffic and nightlife areas may contribute to higher rates of property and public order offences. The seasonal context of January—post-holiday, with shorter days and reduced retail activity—may partly explain the lower incidence of certain crimes, such as theft from the person, which fell by 22.2% compared to December. However, the sharp rise in vehicle crime and shoplifting suggests that targeted interventions are needed to address specific vulnerabilities. Violence and sexual offences, which are 12% above the UK average, highlight the ongoing need for community policing and support services in areas with high concentrations of vulnerable populations. Meanwhile, the relatively low rate of burglary (3.6% of total crimes) and the stark 146% gap in shoplifting compared to the UK average indicate that certain sectors, such as retail zones, may require enhanced security measures. These patterns underscore the complexity of urban crime dynamics, where factors like economic pressure, social cohesion, and environmental design all play roles in shaping outcomes.

The most dramatic month-on-month change in January 2024 was a 16.7% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 245 to 286 incidents. This surge may partly explain the broader property crime trends, as vehicle-related offences often cluster in areas with high traffic or parking congestion. Meanwhile, shoplifting also saw a sharp 15.2% rise, moving from 455 to 524 cases—a figure that is 146% above the UK average for this category. In contrast, theft from the person fell by 22.2%, declining from 36 to 28 incidents, a drop that aligns with the post-holiday seasonal context of reduced retail footfall. Other notable shifts include a 12% increase in burglary and a 10.6% decrease in drug-related crimes. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of crime in urban centres, where economic and social factors can rapidly influence patterns.

Cardiff's crime rate in January 2024 remained stable compared to the previous month, rising by 1.5% from 9.3 to 9.5 per 1,000 residents. This minor shift suggests no significant disruption in overall trends. On a daily basis, the city recorded approximately 117 crimes per day, a figure that reflects both the population density and the urban character of the area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 105 residents, illustrating the frequency of incidents in a densely populated urban environment. When scaled to the city's population of 383,919, the 9.5 per 1,000 rate highlights the persistent challenge of maintaining public safety in a major city. This rate, while stable month-on-month, remains higher than the UK average, underscoring the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas.