Crime in Cardiff: statistics, rates and trends
40,561 crimes were recorded in Cardiff in the 12 months to July 2026, 111.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 2% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Cardiff at a glance
- Crime trends in Cardiff
- Types of crime in Cardiff
- Cardiff compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Cardiff
- Streets with the most crime in Cardiff
- What happened after crimes were reported in Cardiff
- Population and deprivation in Cardiff
- Questions about crime in Cardiff
- About this data
40,561 crimes were recorded in Cardiff in the 12 months to July 2026, 111.8 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than 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 12,843 reports (32% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Cardiff has the 245th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Cardiff | Cardiff | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 40,561 | 42,057 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 111.8 | 109.5 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -2% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 362,751 | 383,919 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Cardiff was highest in the year to July 2018 (47,705 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (40,561). 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.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 40,561 | 111.8 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 41,476 | 114.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 45,993 | 126.8 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 43,817 | 120.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 42,343 | 116.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 47,463 | 130.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 46,696 | 128.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 47,496 | 130.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 47,705 | 131.5 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 4,330 |
| June 2026 | 3,660 |
| May 2026 | 3,640 |
| April 2026 | 3,435 |
| March 2026 | 3,226 |
| February 2026 | 2,923 |
| January 2026 | 2,892 |
| December 2025 | 2,945 |
| November 2025 | 3,481 |
| October 2025 | 3,484 |
| September 2025 | 3,129 |
| August 2025 | 3,416 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Cardiff 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 (+64%) and possession of weapons (+30%). The largest falls were in burglary (-22%) and theft from the person (-18%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 12,843 | 35.4 | 1.03 | +1% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 4,816 | 13.3 | 0.87 | -14% |
| Shoplifting | 4,793 | 13.2 | 1.59 | -8% |
| Public order | 4,354 | 12.0 | 1.81 | +5% |
| Vehicle crime | 3,153 | 8.7 | 1.76 | +13% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 2,970 | 8.2 | 1.21 | -0% |
| Other theft | 2,230 | 6.1 | 0.96 | -3% |
| Burglary | 1,217 | 3.4 | 0.95 | -22% |
| Drugs | 1,185 | 3.3 | 1.00 | -15% |
| Other crime | 826 | 2.3 | 1.08 | -9% |
| Bicycle theft | 796 | 2.2 | 2.67 | -9% |
| Robbery | 579 | 1.6 | 1.18 | +64% |
| Possession of weapons | 457 | 1.3 | 1.30 | +30% |
| Theft from the person | 342 | 0.9 | 0.56 | -18% |
Violence and sexual offences in Cardiff
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Cardiff recorded 12,843 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (35.4 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
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Cardiff recorded 4,816 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.3 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
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Cardiff recorded 4,793 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 11.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Cardiff
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Cardiff recorded 4,354 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 10.7% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Cardiff
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Cardiff recorded 3,153 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 13% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Cardiff
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Cardiff recorded 2,970 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 7.3% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Cardiff
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Cardiff recorded 2,230 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 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
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Cardiff recorded 1,217 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 3.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Cardiff
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Cardiff recorded 1,185 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 2.9% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Cardiff
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Cardiff recorded 826 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 9% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Cardiff
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Cardiff recorded 796 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 9% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Cardiff
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Cardiff recorded 579 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 64% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Cardiff
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Cardiff recorded 457 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Cardiff
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Cardiff recorded 342 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 towns closest to Cardiff, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Cardiff.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Cardiff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penarth | 1,662 | 59.3 | -47% |
| Dinas Powis | 357 | 42.6 | -62% |
| Caerphilly | 3,600 | 111.6 | -0% |
| Bedwas | 689 | 98.3 | -12% |
| Barry (Vale of Glamorgan) | 5,778 | 98.5 | -12% |
| Church Village | 570 | 39.5 | -65% |
| Abertridwr and Senghenydd | 548 | 85.8 | -23% |
| Beddau | 550 | 72.0 | -36% |
27 areas within Cardiff, 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.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cathays | Neighbourhood | 23,927 | 7,055 | 294.9 |
| Butetown | Neighbourhood | 13,550 | 2,990 | 220.7 |
| Adamsdown | Neighbourhood | 13,226 | 2,899 | 219.2 |
| Riverside | Neighbourhood | 14,246 | 2,509 | 176.1 |
| Caerau | Neighbourhood | 12,009 | 1,697 | 141.3 |
| Splott | Neighbourhood | 14,856 | 1,731 | 116.5 |
| Ely | Neighbourhood | 15,874 | 1,847 | 116.4 |
| Plasnewydd | Neighbourhood | 20,068 | 2,319 | 115.6 |
| Llanrumney | Neighbourhood | 11,814 | 1,325 | 112.2 |
| Grangetown | Neighbourhood | 22,261 | 2,342 | 105.2 |
| Trowbridge | Neighbourhood | 18,079 | 1,852 | 102.4 |
| Llandaff North | Neighbourhood | 8,668 | 845 | 97.5 |
| Fairwater | Neighbourhood | 13,965 | 1,306 | 93.5 |
| Gabalfa | Neighbourhood | 10,024 | 913 | 91.1 |
| Canton | Neighbourhood | 16,843 | 1,470 | 87.3 |
| Llanishen | Neighbourhood | 10,693 | 909 | 85.0 |
| Penylan | Neighbourhood | 13,394 | 1,132 | 84.5 |
| Pentwyn | Neighbourhood | 15,483 | 1,158 | 74.8 |
| Heath | Neighbourhood | 13,032 | 923 | 70.8 |
| Whitchurch and Tongwynlais | Neighbourhood | 16,187 | 1,142 | 70.6 |
| Rumney | Neighbourhood | 9,378 | 621 | 66.2 |
| Pontprennau and Old St Mellons | Neighbourhood | 12,638 | 735 | 58.2 |
| Llandaff | Neighbourhood | 9,083 | 448 | 49.3 |
| Cyncoed | Neighbourhood | 13,445 | 515 | 38.3 |
| Radyr | Neighbourhood | 7,548 | 227 | 30.1 |
| Rhiwbina | Neighbourhood | 11,724 | 335 | 28.6 |
| Lisvane and Thornhill | Neighbourhood | 11,497 | 298 | 25.9 |
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 over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 1,871 |
| On or near Supermarket | 1,604 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 886 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 775 |
| On or near Nightclub | 558 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 482 |
| On or near Heol Eglwys Fair | 481 |
| On or near Hospital | 408 |
| On or near Police Station | 396 |
| On or near Heol Y Tollty | 319 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Cardiff 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 | 13,563 | 33.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 10,772 | 26.6% |
| Under investigation | 5,177 | 12.8% |
| Not recorded | 4,816 | 11.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 2,471 | 6.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 1,344 | 3.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 1,279 | 3.2% |
| Local resolution | 461 | 1.1% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 335 | 0.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 137 | 0.3% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 107 | 0.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 86 | 0.2% |
Cardiff has an estimated population of 362,751. On the Wales WIMD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Cardiff sits in decile 5.6, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Cardiff |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.4% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 68.2% |
| Aged 65 and over | 14.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 57.8% |
| Social rented homes | 17.3% |
| Private rented homes | 24.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.6 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 17.7% |
Is Cardiff a safe place to live?
Cardiff recorded 111.8 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 Cardiff?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 12,843 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (4,816).
Is crime in Cardiff going up or down?
Recorded crime in Cardiff was down 2% on the year before: 40,561 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 41,476 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Cardiff?
Cardiff 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 Cardiff. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.