Crime in Cathays: statistics, rates and trends
7,055 crimes were recorded in Cathays in the 12 months to July 2026, 294.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before.
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7,055 crimes were recorded in Cathays in the 12 months to July 2026, 294.9 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 3% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,206 reports (31% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Cathays has the 69th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Cathays | Cardiff | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 7,055 | 42,057 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 294.9 | 109.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -3% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 23,927 | 383,919 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Cathays was highest in the year to July 2018 (9,853 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2021 (6,779). Over the whole period it fell 28%, 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 | 7,055 | 294.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 7,268 | 303.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 8,167 | 341.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 7,363 | 307.7 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 7,836 | 327.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 6,779 | 283.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 7,257 | 303.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 9,034 | 377.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 9,853 | 411.8 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 720 |
| June 2026 | 655 |
| May 2026 | 628 |
| April 2026 | 583 |
| March 2026 | 546 |
| February 2026 | 532 |
| January 2026 | 460 |
| December 2025 | 593 |
| November 2025 | 661 |
| October 2025 | 634 |
| September 2025 | 517 |
| August 2025 | 526 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Cathays 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, shoplifting, anti-social behaviour.
The largest increases were in robbery (+60%) and vehicle crime (+29%). The largest falls were in burglary (-41%) and theft from the person (-23%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 2,206 | 92.2 | 2.69 | +5% |
| Shoplifting | 1,335 | 55.8 | 6.73 | -8% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 725 | 30.3 | 1.98 | -20% |
| Public order | 638 | 26.7 | 4.01 | +4% |
| Other theft | 434 | 18.1 | 2.84 | -5% |
| Vehicle crime | 349 | 14.6 | 2.96 | +29% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 332 | 13.9 | 2.05 | +11% |
| Bicycle theft | 295 | 12.3 | 14.98 | -6% |
| Drugs | 192 | 8.0 | 2.45 | -3% |
| Theft from the person | 163 | 6.8 | 4.03 | -23% |
| Burglary | 135 | 5.6 | 1.60 | -41% |
| Robbery | 133 | 5.6 | 4.11 | +60% |
| Other crime | 60 | 2.5 | 1.19 | -15% |
| Possession of weapons | 58 | 2.4 | 2.50 | +14% |
Violence and sexual offences in Cathays
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Cathays recorded 2,206 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (92.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 31.3% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Cathays
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Cathays recorded 1,335 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (55.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 18.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Cathays
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Cathays recorded 725 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (30.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 20% on the year before. It made up 10.3% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Cathays
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Cathays recorded 638 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 9.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Cathays
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Cathays recorded 434 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (18.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 6.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Cathays
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Cathays recorded 349 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (14.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Cathays
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Cathays recorded 332 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 4.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Cathays
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Cathays recorded 295 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Cathays
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Cathays recorded 192 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Cathays
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Cathays recorded 163 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 2.3% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Cathays
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Cathays recorded 135 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 41% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Cathays
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Cathays recorded 133 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 60% on the year before. It made up 1.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Cathays
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Cathays recorded 60 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 0.9% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Cathays
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Cathays recorded 58 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.4 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Cathays, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Cathays.
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 Cathays over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 1,056 |
| On or near Nightclub | 558 |
| On or near Heol Eglwys Fair | 481 |
| On or near Supermarket | 455 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 403 |
| On or near Heol Y Tollty | 319 |
| On or near St John Street | 233 |
| On or near The Hayes | 182 |
| On or near Conference/Exhibition Centre | 179 |
| On or near Heol Tyr Brodyr | 179 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Cathays 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 | 2,809 | 39.8% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 1,330 | 18.9% |
| Under investigation | 840 | 11.9% |
| Not recorded | 725 | 10.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 575 | 8.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 313 | 4.4% |
| Status update unavailable | 204 | 2.9% |
| Local resolution | 137 | 1.9% |
| Offender given a caution | 62 | 0.9% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 28 | 0.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 22 | 0.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 7 | 0.1% |
Cathays has an estimated population of 23,927. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Cathays sits in decile 6.7, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Cathays |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 4.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 93.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 2.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 21.7% |
| Social rented homes | 6.4% |
| Private rented homes | 71.8% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.7 |
Is Cathays a safe place to live?
Cathays recorded 294.9 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 Cathays?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 2,206 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (1,335).
Is crime in Cathays going up or down?
Recorded crime in Cathays was down 3% on the year before: 7,055 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 7,268 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Cathays?
Cathays 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 Cathays. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.