Crime in Cardiff district: statistics, rates and trends

42,057 crimes were recorded in Cardiff district in the 12 months to July 2026, 109.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 13,327 reports (32% of the total).

Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Cardiff district has the 73rd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Cardiff district was highest in the year to July 2018 (49,464 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (42,057). Over the whole period it fell 15%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Cardiff district over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for shoplifting, public order, vehicle crime.

The largest increases were in robbery (+61%) and possession of weapons (+27%). The largest falls were in burglary (-21%) and theft from the person (-18%).

Violence and sexual offences in Cardiff district

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Cardiff district recorded 13,327 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (34.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 31.7% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Cardiff district

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Cardiff district recorded 5,004 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 11.9% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Cardiff district

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Cardiff district recorded 4,986 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 11.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Cardiff district

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Cardiff district recorded 4,532 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 10.8% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Cardiff district

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Cardiff district recorded 3,229 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Cardiff district

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Cardiff district recorded 3,114 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 7.4% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Cardiff district

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Cardiff district recorded 2,313 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 5.5% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Cardiff district

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Cardiff district recorded 1,253 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Cardiff district

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Cardiff district recorded 1,218 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 16% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Cardiff district

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Cardiff district recorded 872 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Cardiff district

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Cardiff district recorded 808 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Cardiff district

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Cardiff district recorded 588 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 61% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Cardiff district

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Cardiff district recorded 467 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Cardiff district

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Cardiff district recorded 346 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 18% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the districts closest to Cardiff district, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Cardiff district.

32 areas within Cardiff district, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Cathays had the highest rate (294.9 per 1,000) and Lisvane and Thornhill the lowest (25.9). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Cardiff district over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Cardiff district over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Cardiff district has an estimated population of 383,919. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Cardiff district sits in decile 5.7, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Cardiff district. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.