Cardiff Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Cardiff's overall crime rate in January 2026 stood at 7.8 per 1,000 residents, placing the city 14.7% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This figure, while concerning, aligns with the profile of a major urban centre with a mix of high-traffic retail areas, public spaces, and diverse demographics. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (33.2% of total incidents), followed by shoplifting (12.0%) and public order offences (10.0%). These patterns may reflect the city's role as a regional hub with a significant student population, tourist presence, and vibrant nightlife. Seasonal factors in January—such as reduced retail footfall, shorter days, and the post-holiday lull—likely contributed to a lower volume of outdoor crimes compared to earlier months. However, the persistence of violent crime suggests ongoing challenges in managing public safety in densely populated areas. The higher-than-average rates for shoplifting and public order offences may be partly explained by Cardiff's concentration of shopping centres and entertainment venues, which can attract both legitimate and illicit activity. The city's lower-than-average rates for anti-social behaviour and drugs-related crimes, meanwhile, could indicate effective community engagement or policing strategies in certain neighbourhoods.

The most dramatic month-on-month change was a 21.2% increase in bicycle theft, rising from 33 to 40 incidents. This spike, though modest in absolute terms, highlights a growing concern for cyclists in a city with a strong cycling culture. Conversely, theft from the person plummeted by 67.7%, from 31 to 10 cases—a drop that may reflect reduced foot traffic in retail areas during the post-holiday period. Other notable shifts include a 24.6% rise in 'other crime' and a 22.7% increase in burglary, suggesting potential gaps in security measures or targeted criminal activity. Meanwhile, shoplifting in Cardiff was 58% above the UK average (0.9 vs 0.6 per 1,000), a disparity likely linked to the city's high concentration of retail hubs and tourist attractions. Anti-social behaviour, however, was 25% below the UK average, indicating a possible success in community policing efforts in high-traffic areas.

Cardiff's overall crime rate in January 2026 was 7.8 per 1,000 residents, a 2.1% decrease from the previous month's rate of 8.0 per 1,000. This slight reduction suggests a stabilisation in crime trends after a period of fluctuation. On a daily basis, the city recorded approximately 96 crimes per day, a figure that contextualises the pace of incidents in a densely populated urban environment. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 128 residents, a monthly exposure rate that reflects the city's high population density and the challenges of managing crime in a major urban centre. While this rate is above the UK average, the downward trend from December may indicate the impact of seasonal factors, such as reduced retail footfall and shorter daylight hours, which may contribute to lower levels of outdoor crime. The population-scaled perspective underscores the need for targeted interventions in areas with higher concentrations of reported incidents.