Crime in Adamsdown: statistics, rates and trends
2,899 crimes were recorded in Adamsdown in the 12 months to July 2026, 219.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 16% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Adamsdown at a glance
- Crime trends in Adamsdown
- Types of crime in Adamsdown
- Adamsdown compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Adamsdown
- What happened after crimes were reported in Adamsdown
- Population and deprivation in Adamsdown
- Questions about crime in Adamsdown
- About this data
2,899 crimes were recorded in Adamsdown in the 12 months to July 2026, 219.2 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 16% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 766 reports (26% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Adamsdown has the 160th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Adamsdown | Cardiff | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 2,899 | 42,057 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 219.2 | 109.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +16% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 13,226 | 383,919 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Adamsdown was highest in the year to July 2020 (3,164 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2018 (2,255). Over the whole period it rose 29%, 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 2,899 | 219.2 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,498 | 188.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 3,042 | 230.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,770 | 209.4 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 2,585 | 195.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,988 | 225.9 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 3,164 | 239.2 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,738 | 207.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 2,255 | 170.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 379 |
| June 2026 | 300 |
| May 2026 | 236 |
| April 2026 | 259 |
| March 2026 | 220 |
| February 2026 | 171 |
| January 2026 | 191 |
| December 2025 | 216 |
| November 2025 | 232 |
| October 2025 | 201 |
| September 2025 | 233 |
| August 2025 | 261 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Adamsdown 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 violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime.
The largest increases were in robbery (+126%) and vehicle crime (+84%). The largest falls were in burglary (-31%) and theft from the person (-19%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 766 | 57.9 | 1.69 | +1% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 392 | 29.6 | 1.93 | +25% |
| Vehicle crime | 342 | 25.9 | 5.25 | +84% |
| Shoplifting | 341 | 25.8 | 3.11 | +36% |
| Public order | 307 | 23.2 | 3.49 | +19% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 188 | 14.2 | 2.10 | -4% |
| Other theft | 115 | 8.7 | 1.36 | -4% |
| Other crime | 106 | 8.0 | 3.80 | +13% |
| Drugs | 92 | 7.0 | 2.13 | +6% |
| Burglary | 76 | 5.7 | 1.62 | -31% |
| Robbery | 70 | 5.3 | 3.92 | +126% |
| Possession of weapons | 41 | 3.1 | 3.19 | +21% |
| Bicycle theft | 37 | 2.8 | 3.40 | +16% |
| Theft from the person | 26 | 2.0 | 1.16 | -19% |
Violence and sexual offences in Adamsdown
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Adamsdown recorded 766 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (57.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 1% on the year before. It made up 26.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Adamsdown
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Adamsdown recorded 392 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 13.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Adamsdown
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Adamsdown recorded 342 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 84% on the year before. It made up 11.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Adamsdown
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Adamsdown recorded 341 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 36% on the year before. It made up 11.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Adamsdown
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Adamsdown recorded 307 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 19% on the year before. It made up 10.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Adamsdown
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Adamsdown recorded 188 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 6.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Adamsdown
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Adamsdown recorded 115 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Adamsdown
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Adamsdown recorded 106 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 3.7% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Adamsdown
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Adamsdown recorded 92 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Adamsdown
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Adamsdown recorded 76 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Adamsdown
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Adamsdown recorded 70 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 126% on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Adamsdown
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Adamsdown recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 21% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Adamsdown
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Adamsdown recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 16% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Adamsdown
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Adamsdown recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Adamsdown, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Adamsdown.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Adamsdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Splott | 1,731 | 116.5 | -47% |
| Plasnewydd | 2,319 | 115.6 | -47% |
| Cathays | 7,055 | 294.9 | +35% |
| Penylan | 1,132 | 84.5 | -61% |
| Butetown | 2,990 | 220.7 | +1% |
| Riverside | 2,509 | 176.1 | -20% |
| Grangetown | 2,342 | 105.2 | -52% |
| Gabalfa | 913 | 91.1 | -58% |
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 Adamsdown over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Knox Road | 307 |
| On or near Supermarket | 169 |
| On or near Parking Area | 152 |
| On or near Glossop Road | 150 |
| On or near North Luton Place | 144 |
| On or near South Luton Place | 138 |
| On or near Moira Terrace | 131 |
| On or near Sapphire Street | 124 |
| On or near Cyril Crescent | 111 |
| On or near Four Elms Road | 88 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Adamsdown 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.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 971 | 33.5% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 702 | 24.2% |
| Under investigation | 413 | 14.2% |
| Not recorded | 392 | 13.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 181 | 6.2% |
| Status update unavailable | 76 | 2.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 70 | 2.4% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 55 | 1.9% |
| Local resolution | 17 | 0.6% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 9 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 8 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 5 | 0.2% |
Adamsdown has an estimated population of 13,226. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Adamsdown sits in decile 2.2, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Adamsdown |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 13.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 81.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 4.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 30.3% |
| Social rented homes | 24.8% |
| Private rented homes | 44.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 2.2 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 29.3% |
Is Adamsdown a safe place to live?
Adamsdown recorded 219.2 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Adamsdown?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 766 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (392).
Is crime in Adamsdown going up or down?
Recorded crime in Adamsdown was up 16% on the year before: 2,899 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,498 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Adamsdown?
Adamsdown is policed by South Wales. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
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 Adamsdown. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.