Cardiff Crime Rate August 2025 | Monthly Statistics

For a city of nearly 384,000 residents, August 2025 saw 3,543 crimes reported in Cardiff, translating to a crime rate of 9.2 per 1,000 people—13.6% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000. This rate positions Cardiff as one of the higher-crime areas in the UK, though not exceptionally so compared to other major cities. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (28.6% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (14.5%) and shoplifting (12.5%). These figures align with Cardiff’s profile as a major urban centre with a bustling nightlife, high foot traffic in retail areas, and a significant student population. August, a peak holiday month, may have influenced some patterns, such as the 90% increase in shoplifting compared to the UK average, likely linked to increased retail activity and tourist presence. However, the rate of violence and sexual offences was 9% below the UK average, which could reflect local policing efforts or the effectiveness of community initiatives in mitigating such incidents. The seasonal context of August—characterised by summer holidays and increased tourism—may have also contributed to a higher incidence of anti-social behaviour and public order offences, which were 72% and 11% above the UK average, respectively. These findings suggest that while Cardiff faces a higher-than-average crime burden, certain areas of its crime profile are performing relatively better than the national average.

August 2025 marked a 12.4% decrease in violence and sexual offences, from 1,158 to 1,014, a shift that may reflect the seasonal timing of summer holidays and reduced foot traffic in certain areas. Conversely, shoplifting and public order offences saw significant spikes, with shoplifting rates 90% above the UK average and public order offences 72% above. These figures align with Cardiff’s status as a major retail and leisure destination, where increased foot traffic during August—particularly around tourist attractions and high streets—could drive such crimes. Bicycle theft also rose sharply, with a 17.5% increase to 74 cases, 186% above the UK average, likely linked to the city’s cycling infrastructure and the influx of visitors during the summer. Meanwhile, burglary fell by 18.5%, from 119 to 97, a decline that may be partially explained by heightened police patrols or improved home security measures in key areas.

August 2025 saw Cardiff’s crime rate fall to 9.2 per 1,000 residents, a 3.0% decline from July’s 9.5 per 1,000. This monthly rate translates to roughly 114 crimes per day, a figure that, while lower than July, remains among the highest in the UK. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 108 residents—a statistic that, when contextualised with the city’s population of nearly 384,000, underscores the persistent challenge of managing crime in a densely populated urban area. The population-scaled perspective highlights that, despite the 3% reduction, the absolute number of crimes remains substantial. For residents, this means that living in Cardiff carries a higher baseline risk compared to the UK average, though the downward trend suggests some local interventions may be having an effect. The daily crime count, however, indicates that the city’s crime problem is not isolated to specific periods but rather a consistent feature of urban life in a major Welsh city.