Cardiff is more than just the political and cultural heart of Wales - it’s a city of diverse neighbourhoods, leafy suburbs, historic villages and vibrant communities. But like any major city, safety varies depending on where you live. Whether you’re moving to Cardiff for work, family, study or lifestyle understanding the local safety landscape is vital to making an informed decision.
In this in‑depth guide, we’ll explore:
- What “safe” really means in Cardiff
- The safest wards and areas based on the latest crime data
- How Cardiff’s overall crime rates compare with other UK cities
- How Planna helps you navigate neighbourhood safety with real confidence
Understanding Safety in Cardiff - The Big Picture
Before we talk about the safest areas, it’s important to get a big‑picture view of crime in Cardiff:
Cardiff’s crime landscape is varied. Some parts of the city experience higher volumes of crime - often linked to nightlife, student populations, and city centre footfall, while many residential suburbs report considerably lower crime rates.
Cardiff isn’t uniquely dangerous, but it does have areas with high concentrations of certain crime types compared with more suburban wards. eufy
Types of Crime in Cardiff
The most commonly reported offences across the city include:
- Violence and sexual offences
- Anti‑social behaviour
- Shoplifting and theft
- Public order offences
These incidents are more likely to occur in busier, central areas where nightlife, public transport hubs, and student populations are concentrated
Higher crime stats don’t always mean violent or dangerous crime. Often they reflect high volumes of theft or petty offences in busy areas.
Top Safest Places To Live In Cardiff
Here’s a breakdown of some of the safest areas in Cardiff based on crime figures, local reporting and community insights:
St Nicholas and Lancarfan
St Nicholas and Llancarfan is one of the safest neighbourhoods in the area, with crime levels consistently well below the UK average and showing positive trends in 2025.
The neighbourhood recorded just 61 crimes in 2025, averaging 5 incidents per month — significantly lower than the UK average of 38 crimes per month. This represents a notable improvement from 2024's figures and demonstrates the area's strong safety record.
Crime levels here are substantially lower than surrounding neighbourhoods, including nearby Cowbridge and Wenvoe. The consistently low figures over the past 3 years reflect a stable, secure community where serious incidents are rare.
The area's rural character and active community contribute to its safe environment, making it an attractive choice for families and those seeking a peaceful setting whilst remaining accessible to Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
Radyr
Radyr is one of Cardiff’s most talked‑about safe neighbourhoods, consistently reporting some of the lowest crime figures in the city.
The neighbourhood has seen steady improvement, with monthly crime incidents dropping from around 21 in 2023 to approximately 15 in 2025. This downward trend suggests effective community safety measures and a stable residential environment.
The low crime rate reflects a well-established community where residents can feel secure, whilst the continuing decline in incidents demonstrates that safety remains a priority for both locals and local authorities.
Radyr’s suburban setting, leafy green spaces, and residential character contribute to a strong sense of day‑to‑day safety. It’s a popular choice for families and professionals seeking quiet streets and community events, with excellent schools and good transport links into the city centre.
Planna users looking at Radyr often note that the low crime rates are matched by a strong neighbourly feel - people tend to know one another, local shops and amenities are focused on daily life rather than nightlife, and there are very few hotspots for anti‑social behaviour.
Wenove
Wenvoe consistently records crime levels well below the UK average, with rates roughly half the national figure, and has seen steady improvement over the past three years.
The neighbourhood averaged 36 crimes per month in 2023, dropping to 27 per month in 2024 and maintaining this lower level through 2025. This compares favourably to the UK average of around 54 crimes per month, placing Wenvoe among the safer neighbourhoods in the area.
Crime rates here are notably lower than nearby urban areas like Caerau and Ely, and similar to other residential neighbourhoods such as Dinas Powys and Rhoose. The consistent downward trend suggests effective community policing and an engaged local population, making this a reassuringly safe place to call home.
The Conclusion
Navigating safety across Cardiff’s many neighbourhoods can quickly become overwhelming. With crime statistics scattered across multiple sources, local reports to check, and shifting ward-level trends, it’s hard to know where to start. That’s exactly why Planna exists. We take the guesswork out of it, analysing detailed crime patterns and turning complex data into easy-to-understand insights. You can see which areas are consistently low-crime, where community networks are strong, and which streets offer peace of mind all without spending hours poring over spreadsheets or council reports.
Whether you’re looking to buy, rent, or simply explore potential areas, Planna gives you a clear picture of neighbourhood safety. Instead of worrying about whether a street or ward is truly secure, you can focus on what matters most: finding a home that suits your lifestyle, knowing that the safety of your surroundings has already been carefully analysed. In Cardiff, as in any city, peace of mind is invaluable and with Planna on your side, you have it at a glance.