Cardiff Crime Rate May 2025 | Monthly Statistics

May 2025 saw a significant reduction in theft from the person, with reported incidents falling by 43.4% compared to April. This decrease, alongside a 36.5% drop in drug-related crimes and a 22% reduction in 'other crime' categories, suggests early indications of improved community safety measures or shifting patterns in criminal activity. Cardiff’s overall crime rate of 9.7 per 1,000 residents places it 19.8% above the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, reflecting the city’s status as a major urban centre with a complex mix of retail, nightlife, and commuter activity. The most prevalent crime type, violence and sexual offences (30.9% of total), aligns with Cardiff’s role as a hub for university students and a destination for night-time leisure.0 per 1,000 is 6% above the UK average for this category. Anti-social behaviour (15.0% of total) and public order offences (11.2% of total) also dominate, with the latter’s rate at 1.1 per 1,000 — 90% above the UK average — potentially linked to the city’s vibrant nightlife and extended evening socialising during May’s longer days. Seasonal factors, including bank holidays and increased outdoor drinking, may have contributed to the spike in public order incidents, though the exact causal link remains speculative. The persistent above-average rates for shoplifting (1.1 per 1,000, 64% above UK) and bicycle theft (0.2 per 1,000, 150% above UK) highlight vulnerabilities in retail and transport infrastructure, areas that warrant targeted interventions.

May 2025 marked a notable decline in theft from the person, with incidents dropping from 53 to 30 — a 43.4% reduction. This decrease may reflect heightened awareness during the Easter and May Day holidays. Conversely, criminal damage and arson rose sharply by 38.9%, with cases increasing from 239 to 332 — a trend linked to warmer weather and extended outdoor activity. Possession of weapons also surged by 26.7%, from 30 to 38 cases, a figure that, while modest, could signal emerging patterns in local criminal networks. Public order offences, at 414 incidents, rose by 22.5% compared to April, likely driven by the combination of longer evenings and bank holidays that encourage more socialising in public spaces. Cardiff’s rate for drugs-related crimes fell by 36.5% — from 126 to 80 — a drop that may indicate the success of recent community outreach initiatives or temporary shifts in illicit market activity. The city’s rate for bicycle theft, however, remains 150% above the UK average, underscoring the need for enhanced security measures in transport hubs and university areas.

Cardiff’s crime rate in May 2025 (9.7 per 1,000) represented a 6.3% increase from April’s 9.1 per 1,000, a rise that, while modest, highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining consistent safety levels. On a daily basis, the city recorded approximately 120 crimes per day — a figure that, while not directly comparable to UK-wide averages, offers residents a tangible sense of the scale of incidents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 104 residents — a ratio that, when contextualised against Cardiff’s population of 383,919, illustrates the need for sustained community engagement and policing efforts. The city’s rate for public order offences (1.1 per 1,000) is 90% above the UK average, a discrepancy that may be attributed to Cardiff’s density of nightlife venues and its role as a regional tourist destination. Similarly, shoplifting’s 64% above-average rate (1.1 per 1,000) reflects the city’s retail presence, particularly in areas like Cardiff Central and Queen Street. These figures, when compared to the UK’s broader trends, suggest that Cardiff’s unique socio-economic and geographic characteristics — including its mix of urban and semi-rural areas — play a significant role in shaping local crime patterns.