Cardiff is the most dangerous city in South Glamorgan, and is among the top 10 most dangerous overall out of South Glamorgan's 55 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Cardiff in 2021 was 96 crimes per 1,000 people. This compares poorly to South Glamorgan's overall crime rate, coming in 11% higher than the South Glamorgan rate of 85 per 1,000 residents. For England, Wales, and Northern Ireland as a whole, Cardiff is the 24th most dangerous city, and the 713rd most dangerous location out of all towns, cities, and villages.
In December 2021, Cardiff had the worst crime rate in South Glamorgan for bicycle theft, with 79 crimes reported and a crime rate of 0.22 per 1,000 inhabitants. December 2021 was also a bad month for Cardiff residents, when it was South Glamorgan's most dangerous area for burglary, recording 132 crimes at a rate of 0.37 per 1,000 residents. Cardiff recorded 272 reports of criminal damage and arson during December 2021, making its crime rate of 0.77 the worst for criminal damage and arson in South Glamorgan that month.
The most common crimes in Cardiff are violence and sexual offences, with 12,158 offences during 2021, giving a crime rate of 34. This is 10% higher than 2020's figure of 10,964 offences and a difference of 3.37 from 2020's crime rate of 31. Cardiff's least common crime is robbery, with 225 offences recorded in 2021, a decrease of 12% from 2020's figure of 253 crimes.
Most Dangerous
Cities, South Glamorgan
22% higher, regional crime rate
Wales
20% higher, national crime rate
England, Wales & NI
As of 2022, the crime rate in Cardiff is 22% higher than Wales and 20% higher than the England, Wales & Northern Ireland overall figure.
| Cardiff | |
| Wales | |
| England, Wales & NI |
Incidents mapped in Cardiff represent the time frame between July 2019 and June 2022. Each point on the map represents an area where crimes have been recorded locally.
Last updated: 04 Aug, 2022
Hover over a point to see a breakdown of crime types recorded at that location. You can also filter by individual crime types, or use a combinations of offences to visualize the data you need.
Last updated: 04 Aug, 2022
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| Year | Crime Rate per 1,000 people | Total Crimes |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 96 | 34,007 |
| 2020 | 94 | 33,383 |
| 2019 | 108 | 38,259 |
| 2018 | 106 | 37,437 |
| 2017 | 103 | 36,630 |
| 2016 | 95 | 33,687 |
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| Cardiff | South Glamorgan | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crime | Count | Rate | Count | Rate | Rate Difference |
| Anti-Social Behaviour | 12,166 | 34.35 | 15,917 | 31.82 | 7% more dangerous |
| Bicycle Theft | 1,015 | 2.87 | 1,105 | 2.21 | 23% more dangerous |
| Burglary | 1,888 | 5.33 | 2,237 | 4.47 | 16% more dangerous |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 3,296 | 9.31 | 4,392 | 8.78 | 6% more dangerous |
| Drugs | 1,670 | 4.72 | 1,929 | 3.86 | 18% more dangerous |
| Other Crime | 540 | 1.52 | 717 | 1.43 | 6% more dangerous |
| Other Theft | 2,567 | 7.25 | 3,226 | 6.45 | 11% more dangerous |
| Possession of Weapons | 251 | 0.71 | 308 | 0.62 | 13% more dangerous |
| Public Order | 4,503 | 12.71 | 5,782 | 11.56 | 9% more dangerous |
| Robbery | 225 | 0.64 | 262 | 0.52 | 19% more dangerous |
| Shoplifting | 2,916 | 8.23 | 3,321 | 6.64 | 19% more dangerous |
| Theft From the Person | 331 | 0.93 | 382 | 0.76 | 18% more dangerous |
| Vehicle Crime | 2,647 | 7.47 | 3,038 | 6.07 | 19% more dangerous |
| Violence and Sexual Offences | 12,158 | 34.33 | 15,985 | 31.95 | 7% more dangerous |
View crime percentage over time for
| Date | Crime Type | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2022 | Criminal damage and arson | On or near Parracombe Crescent | Investigation complete; no suspect identified |
| June 2022 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Grove Way | Investigation complete; no suspect identified |
| June 2022 | Criminal damage and arson | On or near Kimberley Terrace | Investigation complete; no suspect identified |
| June 2022 | Vehicle crime | On or near Cold Stores Road | Investigation complete; no suspect identified |
| June 2022 | Criminal damage and arson | On or near Hereford Street | Investigation complete; no suspect identified |
| June 2022 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Pentre Gardens | Unable to prosecute suspect |
| June 2022 | Other theft | On or near Heol Syr Lewis | Unable to prosecute suspect |
| June 2022 | Vehicle crime | On or near Northcote Lane | Investigation complete; no suspect identified |
| June 2022 | Bicycle theft | On or near Macaulay Avenue | Investigation complete; no suspect identified |
| June 2022 | Criminal damage and arson | On or near Thomas Street | Investigation complete; no suspect identified |
| June 2022 | Vehicle crime | On or near Maitland Place | Investigation complete; no suspect identified |
| June 2022 | Bicycle theft | On or near Petrol Station | Investigation complete; no suspect identified |
| June 2022 | Theft from the person | On or near Helen Place | Unable to prosecute suspect |
| June 2022 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Park/Open Space | Unable to prosecute suspect |
| June 2022 | Criminal damage and arson | On or near Supermarket | Investigation complete; no suspect identified |
| June 2022 | Bicycle theft | On or near Taffs Mead Embankment | Investigation complete; no suspect identified |
| June 2022 | Bicycle theft | On or near Whittle Road | Investigation complete; no suspect identified |
| June 2022 | Public order | On or near Sevenoaks Street | Unable to prosecute suspect |
| June 2022 | Bicycle theft | On or near Parking Area | Investigation complete; no suspect identified |
| June 2022 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Pacific Road | Unable to prosecute suspect |
| Crime Rate Per 1,000 Residents | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crime | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Trend |
| Anti-Social Behaviour | 29 | 25 | 42 | 34 | Getting worse |
| Bicycle Theft | 4.0 | 3.8 | 3.0 | 2.9 | Safer |
| Burglary | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | Safer |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 11 | 12 | 10 | 9 | Safer |
| Drugs | 4.4 | 4.8 | 5 | 4.7 | Getting worse |
| Other Crime | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 1.5 | Safer |
| Other Theft | 10 | 9 | 7 | 7 | Safer |
| Possession of Weapons | 0.78 | 0.85 | 0.73 | 0.71 | Safer |
| Public Order | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Getting worse |
| Robbery (inc. mugging) | 0.71 | 0.71 | 0.71 | 0.64 | Safer |
| Shoplifting | 13 | 13 | 8 | 8 | Safer |
| Theft From the Person (inc. pickpocketing) | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 0.93 | Safer |
| Vehicle Crime | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | Safer |
| Violence and Sexual Offences | 32 | 34 | 31 | 34 | Getting worse |
We only display green spaces in Cardiff that are named, and have had crimes recorded within their boundaries during 2021.
| Name | ASB | Drugs | Public Order | Robbery | VSO | All Others | Crimes per Hectare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairwater Park | 2 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0.22 |
| Fairwater Recreation Ground | 1 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0.41 |
| Glamorgan Wanderers Memorial Rugby Ground | 1 | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1.1 |
| Glenwood Church | 14 | 2 | 2 | - | 4 | 5 | 61 |
| Heath Park | 7 | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | 0.28 |
| Maes Hamdden y Rhath | 22 | 2 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 4.3 |
| North Llanishen Recreation Ground | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | 2 | 1 | 0.75 |
| Old Church Rooms Baptist Church | 9 | - | 2 | - | 2 | 1 | 84 |
| Parc y Gamlas | 6 | 2 | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| Roath Park | 45 | 3 | - | - | 7 | 13 | 1.8 |
| Sevenoaks Park | 16 | 2 | 2 | - | 2 | 0 | 4.4 |
| City | Crime Rate | Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Barnet | 67.08 | 43% safer |
| Croydon | 82.48 | 16% safer |
| Sheffield | 91.10 | 5% safer |
| Bristol | 93.77 | 2.4% safer |
| Cardiff | 96.02 | - |
| Coventry | 102.37 | 6% more dangerous |
| Leicester | 111.75 | 14% more dangerous |
| Liverpool | 127.90 | 25% more dangerous |
| Birmingham | 137.17 | 30% more dangerous |
| Bradford | 145.60 | 34% more dangerous |
| Leeds | 153.06 | 37% more dangerous |
Cathays South & Bute Park is the most dangerous neighbourhood in Cardiff, followed by Adamsdown in second place, and Splott as the third most dangerous area. Cardiff's safest neighbourhoods are, in order, Cyncoed South & Roath Park, Lisvane, and Thornhill.
| Neighbourhood | Crime Count | Crime Rate | Danger Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adamsdown | 2,314 | 192 | Second |
| Cathays North | 632 | 67 | 11th |
| Cathays South & Bute Park | 4,681 | 370 | First |
| Cyncoed North | 222 | 37 | 18th |
| Cyncoed South & Roath Park | 269 | 35 | 19th |
| Gabalfa | 622 | 63 | 14th |
| Grangetown North | 765 | 85 | Eighth |
| Grangetown South | 680 | 98 | Sixth |
| Lisvane | 128 | 22 | 21st |
| Llandaf & Danescourt | 356 | 40 | 17th |
| Llandaf North | 659 | 76 | Tenth |
| Llanishen | 613 | 64 | 13th |
| Llanrumney North | 673 | 97 | Seventh |
| Llanrumney South | 513 | 78 | Ninth |
| Pwll-mawr & St Mellons East | 480 | 65 | 12th |
| Rumney | 350 | 59 | 15th |
| Splott | 848 | 138 | Third |
| St Mellons West | 743 | 114 | Fourth |
| Thornhill | 185 | 32 | 20th |
| Trowbridge | 675 | 109 | Fifth |
| Whitchurch | 326 | 41 | 16th |
Showing the safest and most dangerous parts of Cardiff for specific criminal activity, with crime count and rate shown in brackets.
| Crime Type | Safest Neighbourhood | Most Dangerous Neighbourhood |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-Social Behaviour | Cyncoed North (52) | Cathays South & Bute Park (1,739) |
| Bicycle Theft | Llanrumney South (1) | Cathays South & Bute Park (342) |
| Burglary | Thornhill (3) | Cathays South & Bute Park (168) |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | Thornhill (9) | Cathays South & Bute Park (252) |
| Drugs | Lisvane (1) | Cathays South & Bute Park (255) |
| Other Crime | Lisvane (1) | Adamsdown (53) |
| Other Theft | Thornhill (10) | Cathays South & Bute Park (426) |
| Possession of Weapons | Llanishen (1) | Cathays South & Bute Park (47) |
| Public Order | Lisvane (15) | Cathays South & Bute Park (519) |
| Robbery (inc. mugging) | Llandaf North (1) | Cathays South & Bute Park (43) |
| Shoplifting | Trowbridge (2) | Cathays South & Bute Park (821) |
| Theft From the Person (inc. pickpocketing) | Whitchurch (1) | Cathays South & Bute Park (161) |
| Vehicle Crime | Thornhill (8) | Splott (138) |
| Violence and Sexual Offences | Lisvane (59) | Cathays South & Bute Park (1,478) |
Looking at the months the UK was in lockdown in 2020 due to Covid-19, how did crime rates in Cardiff change compared to the same month in 2019? The biggest increase in lockdown crime came in April, when Cardiff saw a 174% increase in anti-social behaviour. Cardiff saw a large fall in theft from the person during December, when it fell by 77% compared to December in 2019. Rates of bicycle theft and criminal damage and arson both fell year-on-year for every month during Cardiff's lockdown.
| Crime | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-Social Behaviour | -7% | +174% | +171% | +88% | +34% | +18% | +28% | +86% | +119% | +90% |
| Bicycle Theft | +12% | -28% | -19% | -41% | -58% | -40% | -4% | -20% | -14% | -34% |
| Burglary | +29% | -27% | -49% | -27% | -13% | -5% | -29% | -4% | +12% | -10% |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | +24% | -31% | -30% | -17% | -10% | -8% | -9% | -16% | -15% | -29% |
| Drugs | +6% | +5% | +36% | +38% | +28% | -10% | -13% | +12% | +23% | -11% |
| Other Crime | +2% | -19% | -19% | -10% | -4% | -8% | - | -4% | +17% | -27% |
| Other Theft | -20% | -51% | -48% | -27% | -18% | -20% | -32% | -17% | -28% | -21% |
| Possession of Weapons | -12% | -51% | -4% | +38% | -26% | -47% | -40% | +26% | -15% | -32% |
| Public Order | -12% | -25% | +10% | -1% | +6% | +21% | +16% | -10% | +3% | -23% |
| Robbery | +36% | -21% | -54% | -27% | -19% | +4% | -14% | -12% | +131% | +35% |
| Shoplifting | -34% | -60% | -63% | -52% | -40% | -32% | -29% | -8% | -33% | -31% |
| Theft From the Person | - | -39% | -40% | -40% | -49% | +3% | -40% | -42% | -60% | -77% |
| Vehicle Crime | -2% | -39% | -55% | -34% | -24% | -16% | +38% | +33% | +3% | +17% |
| Violence and Sexual Offences | -10% | -23% | -24% | -17% | -11% | +5% | +2% | -10% | +3% | -16% |
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