Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for United Kingdom: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-10-05T14:33:12.1948964-04:00
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Is Cardiff safe? 🇬🇧
United Kingdom · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Cardiff scores 80/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Cardiff is generally safe for visitors with low violent crime but moderate pickpocketing risk in busy areas. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Cardiff 🇬🇧
United Kingdom · Assessed 13 October 2026
80
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime73/100GoodCrime index 39.7 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment66/100FairMostly positive
Advisories75Good
Stability81Good
Health92Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Urban scale factor
372k residents
78
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
1.1 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6United Kingdom1.1World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
93
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging risk is low to moderate, mainly reported in poorly lit areas of Grangetown and Butetown after dark
Pickpocketing
ModerateBag-snatching and pickpocketing occur in crowded zones such as Queen Street and Cardiff Central Station, especially during events
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
66/100
Reported feel65Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Visitors report feeling safe walking alone in daylight but express caution at night, particularly in certain inner-city districts, based on recent traveler surveys and local sentiment
Yes. Cardiff is generally safe for visitors with low violent crime but moderate pickpocketing risk in busy areas.
Cardiff benefits from low homicide and terrorism risks, strong institutions, and excellent air quality, though street-level crime like theft and drug-related issues persist. Visitors report feeling reasonably safe in daylight but less so at night, aligning with moderate concerns about robbery and property crime. Recent organized crime sentencing reflects ongoing police efforts against drug trafficking, which rarely targets tourists directly.
Recent developments
- Mar 2026Head of an organised crime group in Cardiff jailed as part of a major drug trafficking sentence— Carmarthenshire News Online
- Sep 2025Organised crime group sentenced to combined 38 years and six months for importing and supplying class B drugs in South Wales— South Wales Police
Common scams
- Fake charity collectors near tourist sites
- Overpriced taxi rides from Cardiff Central Station
Full briefing
Cardiff remains a low-risk destination for violent crime, with homicide and terrorism rates well below global averages. The city’s strong institutional scores and clean air contribute to a secure environment for visitors, though Numbeo data shows only 47% feel safe walking alone at night, indicating localized concerns after dark. Recent court cases from March 2026 and September 2025 highlight ongoing police action against organised drug networks in the city, though such activity rarely impacts tourists directly. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are noted as moderate risks in busy pedestrian areas like Queen Street and around Cardiff Central Station, particularly during match days or large events. Licensed taxis or ride-share apps are recommended for night travel, especially when leaving the stadium or nightlife zones. While no active disaster alerts affect the city, visitors should remain aware of global health notices such as polio and measles, though these pose minimal risk in Cardiff due to high vaccination rates and strong healthcare access. Overall, standard urban precautions suffice for a safe visit.
Was this Cardiff, United Kingdom report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Cardiff districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Cardiff safety map.
GrangetownavoidHigher incidence of drug-related offences and anti-social behaviour; exercise caution, particularly after dark.
ElyavoidExperiences higher levels of anti-social behaviour and petty crime; visitors should avoid, especially at night.
Cardiff City CentrecautionGenerally safe by day; pickpocket risk increases at night, especially around bars and transport hubs.
RoathcautionVibrant but mixed safety; petty theft reported near student areas; avoid poorly lit side streets late at night.
CathayscautionStudent-heavy area; generally safe but opportunistic theft occurs near university buildings and nightlife zones.
ButetowncautionWaterfront area with ongoing regeneration; safe by day, but isolated spots near the bay can feel unsafe after dark.
PontcannasaferAffluent residential area with low crime; popular with students and families; well-lit and quiet after dark.
LlandaffsaferHistoric, affluent suburb with very low crime; well-patrolled and considered one of the safest parts of Cardiff.
07 · After Dark
Is Cardiff safe at night?
Mugging risk is low to moderate, mainly reported in poorly lit areas of Grangetown and Butetown after dark
After dark, be most careful around Grangetown, Ely, Cardiff City Centre, Roath. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Cardiff safety FAQ (2026)
Is Cardiff safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Cardiff is generally safe for visitors with low violent crime but moderate pickpocketing risk in busy areas. Cardiff benefits from low homicide and terrorism risks, strong institutions, and excellent air quality, though street-level crime like theft and drug-related issues persist. Visitors report feeling reasonably safe in daylight but less so at night, aligning with moderate concerns about robbery and property crime. Recent organized crime sentencing reflects ongoing police efforts against drug trafficking, which rarely targets tourists directly. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Cardiff safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Cardiff report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Cardiff should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Grangetown, Ely as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Cardiff (2026)?
- Fake charity collectors near tourist sites
- Overpriced taxi rides from Cardiff Central Station
How does Cardiff compare with other places in United Kingdom (2026)?
Cardiff ranks #9 of 9 United Kingdom destinations we've assessed, scoring 80/100. See the United Kingdom safety overview for the full list.
How is this cardiff safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: cardiff.json (CC BY 4.0).