Crime and Safety in Fairwater, South Glamorgan
Last updated: 07 Jun 2026
Fairwater is among the top 10 most dangerous small towns in the preserved county of South Glamorgan, and is among the top 20 most dangerous overall out of South Glamorgan's 55 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Fairwater in 2026 is 71 crimes per 1,000 people. This compares favourably to South Glamorgan's overall crime rate, coming in 2.7% lower than the South Glamorgan rate of 73 per 1,000 daytime population. For England, Wales, and Northern Ireland as a whole, Fairwater is the 200th most dangerous small town, and the 1,261st most dangerous location out of all towns, cities, and villages.
In January 2025, Fairwater had the worst crime rate in South Glamorgan for drugs, with 13 crimes reported and a crime rate of 0.92 per 1,000 daytime population. February 2025 was also a bad month for Fairwater residents, when it was again South Glamorgan's most dangerous area for drugs, recording 26 crimes at a rate of 1.8 per 1,000 daytime population.
The most common crimes in Fairwater are violence and sexual offences, with 432 offences during 2026, giving a crime rate of 31. This is 4.4% lower than 2025's figure of 452 offences and a difference of 1.43 from 2025's crime rate of 32. Fairwater's least common crime is bicycle theft, with 6 offences recorded in 2026, a decrease of 14% from 2025's figure of 7 crimes.
Fairwater 2026 Crime Scorecard
Top 10 Most Dangerous
Small Towns, South Glamorgan
16% higher, regional crime rate
Wales
1.2% lower, national crime rate
England, Wales & NI
Local Crime in Context
As of April 2026, the crime rate in Fairwater is 16% higher than Wales and 1.2% lower than the England, Wales & Northern Ireland overall figure.
Fairwater Crime Rate Over Time
| Fairwater | |
| Wales | |
| England, Wales & NI |
Fairwater Crime Map
Incidents mapped in Fairwater represent the time frame between January 2016 and April 2026. Each point on the map represents an area where crimes have been recorded locally.
Use Crime Map
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 visualise the data you need.
See How Fairwater Compares
You can compare Fairwater's crime statistics against any other town, village, or city from across the country. Search for a location's name below to see how they stack up.
Introduction to Fairwater's crime statistics
This crime profile provides a detailed view of crime and safety around Fairwater up to April 2026, the most recent data release available. The crime figures and statistics have been calculated across each of Fairwater's 269 postcodes using three area sizes for comparison:
- Within a Five-Minute Walk
- Within a Ten-Minute Walk
- Within a Fifteen-Minute Walk
Individual crime risk scores and index figures are for the 12-month period ending April 2026 unless otherwise stated.
CrimeRate Insights
Looking into a specific address in Fairwater? CrimeRate Insights reports convert raw numbers into practical insight for any location, from single addresses and postcodes, up to major towns and cities.
Crime rates don’t happen by themselves; they follow people and patterns. Where crowds gather - near pubs and late-night venues, around the station, by supermarkets and forecourts - incidents naturally concentrate.
That doesn’t mean an area is "bad"; it usually means footfall is higher.
Your report explores these factors in a calm, non-judgemental way, putting the numbers in context and helping you spot what’s typical for places like this.
Crime Risk Scores
Fairwater • 12 Months Ending April 2026
The typical five-minute walk within Fairwater has a crime risk score of 627. This is based on analysis of 269 nearby areas within Fairwater, with "most" referring to roughly two thirds of the nearby locations.
Crime risk scores are on a scale of 1 to 1,000 and consider the severity of the crimes involved, as determined by sentencing guidelines. A score of 1 represents the lowest risk, and 1,000 the highest risk. This approach ensures that - unlike overall crime rate figures - bicycle theft is not given the same importance in Fairwater's risk scores as, for example, robbery, or violence & sexual offences.
Within a five-minute walk of the typical location in Fairwater, crime risk scores are typically around 627, while in South Glamorgan they are average 482.
Areas within a ten-minute walk typically see crime risk scores of 682 (500 for South Glamorgan), and scores within a fifteen-minute walk are most often around 711 (South Glamorgan 503).
Trends in Crime Risk
Fairwater
Calculated via Seasonal and Trend decomposition using Loess, the Seasonality Adjusted line represents the original data with seasonality subtracted, and the Trend line has been plotted unadjusted. Overall trend direction has been identified using the Mann-Kendall trend test, and rate calculated from the slope of the best-fit line identified from linear regression.
The 10-year trend indicates a decrease of 23% in Fairwater's crime risk score. This is potentially a strong signal of how the crime risk is evolving. Cross-referencing with major cultural events and Covid's impact during this time is advised.
The five-year trend may be static; no significant trend was identified in Fairwater's crime risk scores during this timeframe.
Over the last year, Fairwater's crime risk score has shown an upward trend of approximately 2.8%, indicating that the risk profile is going up. This is an extremely short time period for crime trend analysis, and caution should be exercised when interpreting this figure.
Crime Rates and Indexes
Fairwater
The CrimeRate Index shows how crime rates compare against the national average.
1.0 equals the average
2.0 is double
3.0 triple
0.5 is half and
0.25 a quarter.
Highest Crime Rates
Fairwater • 12 Months Ending April 2026
Excluding other crime and other theft because their geographic location is often not relevant, anti-social behaviour as its definition is too wide, and bicycle theft for its specificity.
Public Order offences have a crime rate of 9.29 reports per 1,000 people in Fairwater, which is 1.60 times the national average. This figure is calculated from 131 crime reports logged by South Wales Police during the 12-month period ending April 2026.
For the same period, South Wales Police recorded 64 reports of Drugs in Fairwater, resulting in a crime rate of 4.54 reports per 1,000, and a CrimeRate Index of 1.47.
The crime rate for Criminal Damage and Arson is 1.17 times the national average at 7.32 reports per 1,000. This is from 103 crime reports reported to South Wales Police.
Most Significant 3-Year Increases in Crime Types
Fairwater
Excluding other crime and other theft, anti-social behaviour, and bicycle theft, and calculated with the same STL method described in Trends in Crime Risk, using CrimeRate Index figures to identify crime types that are trending above or below the national average, and the analysis timeframe limited to the last three years.
Robbery offences are trending upwards, though the CrimeRate Index three years ago is too low to measure, and the trend should be reviewed with caution.
Drugs offences are trending upwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 2.48 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Drugs CrimeRate Index was 0.33 times the national average, and the current trend indicates an increase of 652% over this timeframe.
Theft From the Person offences are trending upwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of - for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Theft From the Person CrimeRate Index was 0.54 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a near-complete decrease over this timeframe.
Most Significant 3-Year Decreases in Crime Types
Fairwater
Calculated with the same methodology as the largest increases section above.
Violence and Sexual Offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.99 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Violence and Sexual Offences CrimeRate Index was 1.28 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 23% over this timeframe.
Criminal Damage and Arson offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 0.93 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Criminal Damage and Arson CrimeRate Index was 2.06 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 55% over this timeframe.
Possession of Weapons offences are trending downwards, and have a CrimeRate Index of 1.00 for the month of April 2026.
Three years ago, the monthly Possession of Weapons CrimeRate Index was 1.00 times the national average, and the current trend indicates a decrease of 0% over this timeframe.
Crime Type Breakdown & Heat Map
Fairwater • 12 Months Ending April 2026
Size and colour reflect the CrimeRate Index figures for each type of crime.
Fairwater | South Glamorgan | Wales | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crime Type | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index |
| Anti-Social Behaviour | 197 | 13.98 | 0.99 | 6,196 | 10.20 | 0.72 | 37,683 | 10.96 | 0.78 |
| Bicycle Theft | 6 | 0.42 | 1.40 | 851 | 1.40 | 1.92 | 1,599 | 0.46 | 0.63 |
| Burglary | 24 | 1.68 | 0.59 | 1,514 | 2.50 | 0.80 | 6,704 | 1.94 | 0.62 |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 103 | 7.32 | 1.17 | 3,860 | 6.36 | 1.01 | 21,045 | 6.12 | 0.97 |
| Drugs | 64 | 4.54 | 1.47 | 1,383 | 2.27 | 0.73 | 7,344 | 2.14 | 0.69 |
| Other Crime | 36 | 2.53 | 1.37 | 1,100 | 1.81 | 0.98 | 6,008 | 1.76 | 0.95 |
| Other Theft | 45 | 3.19 | 0.56 | 2,840 | 4.67 | 0.82 | 13,307 | 3.88 | 0.68 |
| Possession of Weapons | 9 | 0.63 | 1.11 | 507 | 0.83 | 0.98 | 2,296 | 0.68 | 0.80 |
| Public Order | 131 | 9.29 | 1.60 | 5,404 | 8.90 | 1.53 | 23,747 | 6.91 | 1.19 |
| Robbery | 13 | 0.91 | 1.17 | 675 | 1.13 | 0.96 | 1,461 | 0.43 | 0.36 |
| Shoplifting | 65 | 4.61 | 0.65 | 6,020 | 9.90 | 1.39 | 19,180 | 5.58 | 0.78 |
| Theft From the Person | 6 | 0.42 | 0.53 | 365 | 0.60 | 0.39 | 1,019 | 0.28 | 0.18 |
| Vehicle Crime | 69 | 4.88 | 1.13 | 3,372 | 5.54 | 1.29 | 8,617 | 2.52 | 0.59 |
| Violence and Sexual Offences | 432 | 30.68 | 1.01 | 16,509 | 27.17 | 0.89 | 99,099 | 28.83 | 0.95 |
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Total Crime by Year
Fairwater | South Glamorgan | Wales | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index | Count | Rate | Index |
| 2026 | 1,003 | 71.10 | 1.02 | 44,400 | 73.08 | 1.02 | 211,426 | 61.53 | 0.85 |
| 2025 | 1,125 | 80.12 | 1.14 | 47,355 | 77.87 | 1.05 | 257,229 | 75.28 | 1.02 |
| 2024 | 1,209 | 86.89 | 1.21 | 49,190 | 81.40 | 1.08 | 238,672 | 70.43 | 0.93 |
| 2023 | 1,023 | 75.03 | 0.99 | 46,540 | 77.98 | 0.99 | 255,615 | 75.95 | 0.96 |
| 2022 | 1,144 | 86.57 | 1.19 | 44,438 | 75.81 | 0.99 | 245,565 | 73.85 | 0.96 |
| 2021 | 1,139 | 87.60 | 1.32 | 40,024 | 68.75 | 1.00 | 217,266 | 65.68 | 0.96 |
| 2020 | 1,083 | 83.46 | 1.20 | 46,163 | 79.92 | 1.08 | 237,502 | 72.15 | 0.97 |
| 2019 | 1,150 | 88.84 | 1.21 | 47,974 | 83.50 | 1.10 | 244,905 | 74.66 | 0.98 |
| 2018 | 1,307 | 101.38 | 1.47 | 45,316 | 79.06 | 1.11 | 218,341 | 66.57 | 0.94 |
| 2017 | 1,094 | 85.57 | 1.41 | 43,800 | 76.83 | 1.20 | 199,059 | 60.80 | 0.95 |
| 2016 | 342 | 26.87 | 1.48 | 13,219 | 23.20 | 1.22 | 61,849 | 18.94 | 0.99 |
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Fairwater Compared to Nearby Small Towns
12 Months Ending Apr 2026
| Small Town | Total Crimes | Crime Rate | Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caerau | 1,423 | 115.74 | 63% more dangerous |
| Ely | 1,548 | 97.15 | 37% more dangerous |
| Grangetown | 2,176 | 88.25 | 24% more dangerous |
| Llanrumney | 1,035 | 81.70 | 15% more dangerous |
| Butetown | 2,483 | 84.19 | 18% more dangerous |
| Llandaff North | 650 | 78.89 | 11% more dangerous |
| Canton | 1,301 | 72.75 | 2.3% more dangerous |
| Rumney | 699 | 69.90 | 1.7% safer |
| Trowbridge | 1,592 | 73.16 | 2.9% more dangerous |
| Fairwater | 1,003 | 71.10 | - |
| Pentwyn | 555 | 61.09 | 14% safer |
| Gabalfa | 802 | 64.31 | 10% safer |
| Llanishen | 813 | 62.15 | 13% safer |
| Splott | 714 | 60.10 | 15% safer |
| Llandaff | 452 | 48.23 | 32% safer |
| Whitchurch | 778 | 51.00 | 28% safer |
| Llantwit Major | 442 | 45.37 | 36% safer |
| Penarth | 1,026 | 42.53 | 40% safer |
Comparing Fairwater to the UK's Major Cities
12 Months Ending Apr 2026
| City Name | Crime Rate | Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Fairwater | 71.10 | - |
| Cardiff | 79.55 | 12% more dangerous |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 82.69 | 16% more dangerous |
| Sheffield | 84.09 | 18% more dangerous |
| Leicester | 97.87 | 38% more dangerous |
| Bristol | 104.64 | 47% more dangerous |
| Birmingham | 105.05 | 48% more dangerous |
| Liverpool | 106.48 | 50% more dangerous |
| Leeds | 107.10 | 51% more dangerous |
| Nottingham | 107.74 | 52% more dangerous |
| Westminster | 125.00 | 76% more dangerous |
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Offences In and Around Fairwater's Parks & Leisure Spaces
Limited to spaces in Fairwater that are named and have had crimes recorded within their boundaries in the 12 months to Apr 2026.
| Name | ASB | Drugs | Public Order | Robbery | VSO | All Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canolfan Hamdden y Tylloged | 4 | - | 1 | - | 4 | 0 |
| Fairwater Recreation Ground | 7 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 15 | 5 |
| Fairwater Allotments | 3 | - | 6 | - | 10 | 4 |
| Fairwater Park | 8 | - | 5 | 1 | 38 | 9 |
| Fairwater RFC | 4 | - | 1 | - | 4 | 0 |
Recent Crimes in Fairwater
The 20 most recent crime reports in Fairwater.
| Date | Crime Type | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Chestnut Road | |
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Kerrigan Close | |
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Kerrigan Close | |
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Heol Dennant | |
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Keyston Road | |
| April 2026 | Anti-social behaviour | On or near Duxford Close | |
| April 2026 | Criminal damage and arson | On or near Landwade Close | |
| April 2026 | Criminal damage and arson | On or near Oakway | |
| April 2026 | Criminal damage and arson | On or near Plas-Mawr Road | |
| April 2026 | Criminal damage and arson | On or near Shamrock Road | |
| April 2026 | Drugs | On or near Kenley Close | |
| April 2026 | Public order | On or near Brook Court | |
| April 2026 | Public order | On or near Kerrigan Close | |
| April 2026 | Robbery | On or near Chestnut Road | |
| April 2026 | Shoplifting | On or near Kerrigan Close | |
| April 2026 | Shoplifting | On or near Chestnut Road | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Keyston Road | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Waterhall Road | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Oakway | |
| April 2026 | Violence and sexual offences | On or near Heol Dennant |
Methodology & Data Sources
Fairwater Crime Report
Data Sources & Processing
Every month, CrimeRate processes crime reports from data.police.uk, the UK's official provider of open crime report data. Each crime report includes anonymised coordinates, most often "snapped" to the middle of the nearest street, or to the nearest major landmark. The reports also include the month and year the crime was reported, as well as the type of crime.
Data releases on data.police.uk happen once a month, with a two-month delay. This means that, for example, crimes reported in Fairwater during July 2026 will typically become available in September 2026. The latest release is for Apr 2026 and was released in Jun 2026. To provide current and historical crime statistics, CrimeRate processed 61,669,232 crime reports for the latest release.
Fairwater Data Points
For Fairwater, CrimeRate uses the geographic boundaries provided by The Office for National Statistics in the December 2023 release of their Parishes and Non Civil Parished Areas dataset, using the PARNCP23CD column value W04000845.
Due to the 2021 Census being conducted during a UK-wide Coronavirus lockdown, the daytime population figures released so far cannot be relied on for purposes such as comparing crime rates. Instead, CrimeRate uses Fairwater's daytime - or "workday" - population of 9,732 from the ONS 2011 Census for calculations throughout the site.
All geographic boundaries use the full resolution - extent of the realm versions where provided to avoid missing crime reports near coastlines and rivers - the banks of the Thames in particular - that would otherwise not be included when using the clipped to the coastline datasets.
Calculating Crime Rates
CrimeRate locates the UK region, county, and town/city/village locality for each crime report, and calculates the crime rate by taking the sum of all crime reports, dividing it by the locality's daytime / "workday" population, and multiplying the result by 1,000 to get the crime rate per 1,000.
Crime Risk Score Calculations
CrimeRate calculates crime counts for local, nearby, and wider areas for every postcode in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The postcodes locations are deduplicated by a process that ensures distinct points are approximately 50 metres apart. This process removes the bias that would otherwise come from counting the same crimes several times in heavily populated areas.
Using a custom algorithm developed in-house, CrimeRate applies a crime severity weighting to each area's crime counts, based on the type of crime reported. This increases or decreases the crime count, or zeroes it out entirely, depending on the crime type. A separate crime severity rate is then calculated, standardised, and scaled to fit the crime risk score range of 1 to 1,000, with 1 being the lowest score, and 1,000 the highest.
Crime risk scores undergo further analysis per town, city, and village plus other areas including police forces and neighbourhoods. CrimeRate uses percentiles to work out the most common range of crime risk scores in each locality. This includes identifying the high and low bounds where approximately 68% of scores fall, and finding the median (50th percentile) for easy reference.
The crime types with a weight of zero are: Anti-Social Behaviour; Bicycle Theft; Other Crime; Other Theft; and Shoplifting. The highest weights to are assigned to Violence & Sexual Offences, and the lowest to Vehicle Crime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crime in Fairwater