Cardiff Crime Rate October 2025 | Monthly Statistics

October 2025 marked a notable shift in Cardiff's crime profile, with the local authority district recording a crime rate of 9.4 per 1,000 residents — 22.1% above the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000. This increase follows a seasonal rhythm typical of the area, where darker evenings and Halloween activities may have contributed to heightened activity in certain crime categories. Violence and sexual offences remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 29.3% of all reported crimes, with a rate of 2.7 per 1,000 — matching the UK average but significantly higher than previous months. Anti-social behaviour and shoplifting followed, with the latter recording a rate 90% above the UK average, likely linked to the retail presence in Cardiff's high streets and town centres. The seasonal context of October — clocks going back, shorter daylight hours, and Halloween — may have influenced patterns, particularly in public order offences and anti-social behaviour, which saw a 70% increase above the UK average. While the overall crime rate rose, the balance between property and violent crimes remained stable, with property crimes accounting for 40.6% of the total and violent crimes 29.3%. This suggests that the area's character as a major urban centre with a mix of commercial and residential zones continues to shape crime trends, though the exact drivers of the month's increase remain to be fully understood.

October 2025 saw significant shifts in Cardiff's crime profile, with three categories experiencing notable month-on-month changes. Other crime surged by 69.2%, rising from 52 to 88 incidents — a jump that outpaced all other categories. This increase may reflect heightened activity in areas where unclassified offences are more likely to be reported, such as nuisance-related incidents in residential zones. Bicycle theft also rose sharply, with a 58.2% increase from 67 to 106 incidents. This aligns with Cardiff's reputation as a city with a substantial student population and cycling infrastructure.3 per 1,000 is 275% above the UK average. Conversely, vehicle crime fell by 11.8%, dropping from 280 to 247 incidents — a decline that could be attributed to fewer commuters on the roads during the October period. The category of shoplifting stood out as 90% above the UK average, with a rate of 1.2 per 1,000, suggesting that retail environments in Cardiff may have faced particular challenges in October, linked to pre-Christmas shopping activity or seasonal staffing changes. These figures highlight the complexity of local crime patterns, where specific sectors of the economy and population dynamics can amplify or mitigate broader trends.

Cardiff's October 2025 crime rate of 9.4 per 1,000 residents represents a 10.9% increase from the previous month's 8.4 per 1,000 — a rise that translates to approximately 116 crimes reported each day across the local authority district. When viewed through the lens of population, this equates to one reported crime for every 107 residents over the course of the month, a figure that underscores the density of activity in a city with a population of 383,919. This daily crime count is higher than the average for many similar-sized urban areas, though direct comparisons to other UK cities are not available in the data. The 22.1% gap between Cardiff's rate and the UK average highlights the city's distinct position within the national crime profile, particularly in categories such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. While the previous month's rate was lower, the 10.9% increase is consistent with seasonal patterns observed in other major cities, where the transition from autumn to winter often correlates with higher rates of public order offences and anti-social behaviour. Residents may find the 1-in-107 monthly exposure figure particularly relevant, as it illustrates the frequency with which crime intersects with daily life in a city that balances commercial activity with dense residential areas.