Crime in Canton: statistics, rates and trends
1,470 crimes were recorded in Canton in the 12 months to July 2026, 87.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
1,470 crimes were recorded in Canton in the 12 months to July 2026, 87.3 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 457 reports (31% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Canton has the 1,590th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Canton | Cardiff | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,470 | 42,057 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 87.3 | 109.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | +5% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 16,843 | 383,919 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Canton was highest in the year to July 2018 (1,759 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2025 (1,405). Over the whole period it fell 16%, 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 | 1,470 | 87.3 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,405 | 83.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,615 | 95.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,533 | 91.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,427 | 84.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,724 | 102.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,731 | 102.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,670 | 99.2 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,759 | 104.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 139 |
| June 2026 | 150 |
| May 2026 | 128 |
| April 2026 | 141 |
| March 2026 | 86 |
| February 2026 | 113 |
| January 2026 | 110 |
| December 2025 | 104 |
| November 2025 | 133 |
| October 2025 | 127 |
| September 2025 | 131 |
| August 2025 | 108 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Canton 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 vehicle crime, public order, bicycle theft.
The largest increases were in vehicle crime (+46%) and criminal damage and arson (+28%). The largest falls were in burglary (-31%) and anti-social behaviour (-24%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 457 | 27.1 | 0.79 | -7% |
| Vehicle crime | 213 | 12.6 | 2.57 | +46% |
| Public order | 170 | 10.1 | 1.52 | +26% |
| Shoplifting | 147 | 8.7 | 1.05 | +17% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 118 | 7.0 | 1.03 | +28% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 105 | 6.2 | 0.41 | -24% |
| Burglary | 66 | 3.9 | 1.11 | -31% |
| Other theft | 65 | 3.9 | 0.60 | -17% |
| Drugs | 28 | 1.7 | 0.51 | +4% |
| Robbery | 28 | 1.7 | 1.23 | +211% |
| Bicycle theft | 26 | 1.5 | 1.88 | +18% |
| Other crime | 25 | 1.5 | 0.70 | -11% |
| Possession of weapons | 16 | 0.9 | 0.98 | +33% |
| Theft from the person | 6 | 0.4 | 0.21 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Canton
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Canton recorded 457 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (27.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 31.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Canton
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Canton recorded 213 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 46% on the year before. It made up 14.5% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Canton
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Canton recorded 170 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 26% on the year before. It made up 11.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Canton
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Canton recorded 147 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 17% on the year before. It made up 10.0% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Canton
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Canton recorded 118 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 28% on the year before. It made up 8.0% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Canton
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Canton recorded 105 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Canton
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Canton recorded 66 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 31% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Canton
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Canton recorded 65 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 17% on the year before. It made up 4.4% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Canton
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Canton recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Canton
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Canton recorded 28 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 211% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Canton
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Canton recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and up 18% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Canton
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Canton recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 1.7% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Canton
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Canton recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Canton
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Canton recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Canton, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Canton.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Canton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | 2,509 | 176.1 | +102% |
| Llandaff | 448 | 49.3 | -43% |
| Llandaff North | 845 | 97.5 | +12% |
| Gabalfa | 913 | 91.1 | +4% |
| Cathays | 7,055 | 294.9 | +238% |
| Caerau | 1,697 | 141.3 | +62% |
| Fairwater | 1,306 | 93.5 | +7% |
| Grangetown | 2,342 | 105.2 | +21% |
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 Canton over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Leckwith Road | 131 |
| On or near Tintern Street | 72 |
| On or near Pembrook Mews | 56 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 43 |
| On or near Rhodri Morgan Way | 32 |
| On or near Broadhaven | 31 |
| On or near Parking Area | 31 |
| On or near Redcliffe Avenue | 31 |
| On or near Bus/Coach Station | 30 |
| On or near Supermarket | 29 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Canton 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 | 599 | 40.7% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 401 | 27.3% |
| Under investigation | 168 | 11.4% |
| Not recorded | 105 | 7.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 64 | 4.4% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 63 | 4.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 31 | 2.1% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 16 | 1.1% |
| Local resolution | 15 | 1.0% |
| Offender given a caution | 5 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.2% |
Canton has an estimated population of 16,843. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Canton sits in decile 6.5, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Canton |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 68.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 13.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.5% |
| Social rented homes | 13.9% |
| Private rented homes | 20.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.5 |
Is Canton a safe place to live?
Canton recorded 87.3 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Canton?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 457 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by vehicle crime (213).
Is crime in Canton going up or down?
Recorded crime in Canton was up 5% on the year before: 1,470 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,405 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Canton?
Canton 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 Canton. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.