As the capital of Wales, Cardiff is a lively city known for its rich history, friendly people, and beautiful scenery, but what about the Cardiff crime rate?
If you’re planning to move to Cardiff, or you already live there and want to understand more about safety in your area, this guide will help.
We’ll look at the latest crime data, explore which parts of the city are safer or need more care, and share practical tips to help you stay safe and confident while enjoying everything Cardiff has to offer.
The Latest Cardiff Crime Statistics (2024-2025)
So, is Cardiff safe? According to the latest figures from September 2024 to August 2025, the city recorded an annual crime rate of 118 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Out of these, violent crimes made up around 37,000 cases, showing a 4.7% drop compared to the previous year, a positive sign that overall safety is slowly improving.
Anti-social behaviour and shoplifting remain among the more frequent offences, especially in busy city areas. In response, more homeowners and business owners are installing outdoor security cameras to protect their properties and deter theft.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of crime types and rates in Cardiff.
|
Crime Type |
Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents |
National Relative Rating (1–10) |
Crime Severity Description |
|
Violence and sexual offences |
36.9 |
5/10 |
Moderate level, slightly higher than some similar cities |
|
Anti-social behaviour |
16.1 |
5/10 |
Common community issue, moderate risk |
|
Shoplifting |
14.4 |
7/10 |
Relatively high, retail areas require focused prevention |
|
Public order |
11.8 |
8/10 |
Elevated, especially concentrated in night-time activity areas |
|
Criminal damage and arson |
8.56 |
6/10 |
Stable but still poses potential threat |
|
Vehicle crime |
7.77 |
7/10 |
Medium-high risk, parking areas need enhanced monitoring |
|
Other theft |
6.63 |
5/10 |
General risk |
|
Burglary |
4.23 |
6/10 |
Moderate risk |
|
Drugs |
4.02 |
5/10 |
In line with national average |
|
Other crime |
2.58 |
6/10 |
Below moderate |
|
Bicycle theft |
2.37 |
7/10 |
Relatively high, frequent on campus areas |
|
Theft from the person |
1.12 |
3/10 |
Low, occasional incidents |
|
Robbery |
1.09 |
4/10 |
Stable but requires vigilance |
|
Possession of weapons |
1.04 |
6/10 |
Moderate risk |
Which Crimes Are Most Common in Cardiff?
In Cardiff, several types of offences appear regularly in police records and crime analyses. The most common categories are:
- Violence and Sexual Offences
Violent crimes account for 36% of all crimes in Cardiff, totalling 37,000 cases, making it the primary crime type. Most violent crimes occur in specific areas, usually associated with nightlife venues and alcohol consumption.
- Anti-social Behaviour
Anti-social behaviour includes noise nuisance, public drinking, and minor harassment. This type of behaviour is more common in the city centre, student areas, and certain residential areas, particularly on weekend evenings.
- Shoplifting
Most burglaries happen during daytime hours (9 AM to 5 PM) when homes are empty. Thieves often target cash, jewellery, and electronics. Installing indoor security cameras with real-time viewing and two-way audio can help scare off intruders and reduce the risk of theft.
- Public Order
Common in nightlife areas and during large events, including fights, disorderly conduct, or threatening behaviour.
- Criminal Damage and Arson
Such cases usually happen at night or in quiet areas, ranging from graffiti and vandalism to occasional fire damage to property.
Safest and Most Dangerous Areas in Cardiff
Crime levels across Cardiff vary widely from one neighbourhood to another. The place where you live or work can strongly influence your daily sense of safety.
Safest Areas:
The northern parts of Cardiff are generally known for being calm and secure, with crime rates well below the city average of 118 crimes per 1,000 residents. Some of the safest communities include:
- Lisvane and Thornhill (29.4/1,000 people ): Considered one of Cardiff's safest areas, with a crime rate approximately 75% lower than the city average.
- Radyr (32.9/1,000 people): Crime rate approximately 72% lower than the city average, popular for its excellent schools and good transport connections.
- Rhiwbina (36.7/1,000 people): Has a good community atmosphere and low anti-social behaviour, with quiet residential areas, harmonious neighbourhood relations, and virtually no serious crime incidents.
- Cyncoed (38.2/1,000 people ): An upscale residential area near Cardiff University with stable security and well-lit streets at night, also an area with relatively low crime rates.
- Llandaff (44.3/1,000 people ): With a long history and peaceful parish atmosphere, it's one of the most popular traditional residential areas in the city.
Most Dangerous Areas
Cardiff city centre and parts of the southern areas have significantly higher crime rates than the city average, particularly Butetown and Cathays.
- Cathays (323/1,000 people ): Has the highest crime rate in the city, mainly due to its proximity to the city centre and university area, with dense nightlife and frequent public order-related incidents.
- Butetown (260/1,000 people ): As a diverse community near Cardiff Bay, this area has high rates of violent crime and property damage incidents.
In areas with more crime, it’s a good idea to strengthen security around your home or business. A camera such as the eufyCam S4 can help with this. It has PTZ control and multi-target tracking, so it can follow several people or movements at once. This makes it easier to spot suspicious activity early and protect your property from possible theft or damage.
What Factors Drive Crime Rates in Cardiff
Cardiff crime rate is influenced by various social, economic, and environmental factors. Let's understand these factors to help us choose suitable residential areas:
- Economic Disparity: Income inequality between regions is often associated with higher crime rates.
- Unemployment Rate: Some areas have higher unemployment rates, which can easily trigger property crimes.
- Student Population: Cardiff has a large student population, which may affect certain types of crime, such as burglary and anti-social behaviour, particularly in student-concentrated areas.
- Tourism: As a tourist destination, Cardiff attracts numerous visitors, which may lead to increased opportunistic crimes such as pickpocketing and fraud.
- Urban Design: Areas with inadequate lighting, lack of natural surveillance, and poor public space design may be more prone to crime.
How to Stay Safer in Cardiff
Whether you live in Cardiff or are just visiting, a few simple habits can help you stay safe and confident around the city:
- Safe Travel: Use legitimate taxis, booked private transport, or public transport at night. Avoid walking alone in remote areas, especially late at night.
- Secure Personal Belongings: Don't display valuables such as phones, jewellery, or large amounts of cash in public places.
- Safe Socialising: Be extra careful when drinking in unfamiliar environments, and don't accept drinks from strangers.
- Protect Your Home: Lock doors and windows even when leaving for short periods.
- Strengthen Front Door Security: Keep your home protected with a smart doorbell like the eufy Video Doorbell E340. Its two cameras and smart face detection help you see who’s at your door and send instant alerts when someone unfamiliar comes close.
- Use Indoor Security Cameras: Indoor cameras, like the eufy Indoor Cam S350, offer 360° coverage and smart motion alerts. You can check in on your home from your phone anytime, giving peace of mind when you’re away.
- Add Outdoor and Community Monitoring: For wider coverage, systems like the eufy NVR CCTV System S4 Max are great for shops, shared buildings, or community areas. With AI tracking and multi-camera support, they let you watch large spaces in real time and help deter crime before it happens.
Conclusion
Cardiff records around 118 crimes per 1,000 residents, a figure that helps show the city’s overall safety picture. While Cardiff remains a lively and welcoming capital, it’s still important to stay alert and take small steps to protect your home and belongings.
Simple actions, like adding a reliable security camera, can make your home safer and give you more peace of mind. For dependable and easy-to-use options, consider eufy security solutions to keep your home and family protected every day.
FAQs
What is the most common crime in Cardiff?
According to the latest 2024–2025 crime statistics, the most common crimes in Cardiff are violence and sexual offences at 36.9 per 1,000 people, anti-social behaviour at 16.1 per 1,000 people, and shoplifting at 14.4 per 1,000 people.
Public order offences at 11.8 per 1,000 people and criminal damage and arson at 8.56 per 1,000 people are also relatively frequent, mainly occurring in the city centre and certain residential areas, especially on weekend evenings.
Is Cardiff safe to live in?
Yes, Cardiff is generally safe. The city’s 2024–2025 crime rate is 118 per 1,000 people, about average for a large UK city.
Neighbourhoods like Lisvane and Thornhill (29.4), Radyr (32.9), and Cyncoed (38.2) are much lower than the city average. These areas are quiet, friendly, and family-oriented, making them some of the safest and most pleasant places to live in Cardiff.
How safe is Cardiff?
Cardiff is a fairly safe city. In 2024–2025, there were about 113 crimes for every 1,000 people. That’s a bit higher than the national average but lower than in bigger cities like London or Manchester. Most parts of Cardiff are safe for everyday life and feel welcoming to both residents and visitors.
