Cardiff crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
967 recorded in this period, compared with 905 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Cardiff
Cardiff is a residential and industrial suburb located in the City of Lake Macquarie local government area of New South Wales, within the 2285 postcode. Situated approximately 14 kilometres west-southwest of the Newcastle central business district, the locality functions as a significant sub-regional hub on the Main Northern railway line. The demographic profile is characteristic of the Hunter Region's established working and middle-class suburbs, featuring a mix of families and older residents residing in detached housing alongside commercial and light industrial precincts.
Local life in Cardiff is centred around a traditional commercial strip along Main Road, which provides essential retail services, supermarkets, and dining options for residents. The suburb is well-serviced by public infrastructure, including Cardiff railway station, local bus routes, and several educational facilities such as Cardiff High School and primary schools. Recreational amenities are supported by local parks, sports fields, and its proximity to the natural assets of Lake Macquarie.
Historically, Cardiff developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, heavily influenced by the expansion of the region's coal mining industry and the establishment of the Main Northern railway line. The area transitioned from a rural landscape into a key industrial and residential centre, taking its name from the Welsh capital due to its coal-mining associations. Several heritage sites and older residential buildings remain within the suburb, reflecting its origins as a working-class coal-mining and railway settlement.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Transport regulatory offences | 297 | 269 |
| Fraud | 72 | 52 |
| Malicious damage to property | 59 | 65 |
| Steal from motor vehicle | 56 | 66 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 48 | 40 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 41 | 52 |
| Other theft | 40 | 25 |
| Breach Apprehended Violence Order | 30 | 33 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 30 | 32 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 28 | 43 |
| Dealing, trafficking in amphetamines | 22 | 1 |
| Receiving or handling stolen goods | 22 | 5 |
| Steal from retail store | 22 | 34 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 19 | 8 |
| Sexual assault | 18 | 14 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 17 | 35 |
| Steal from dwelling | 17 | 10 |
| Breach bail conditions | 12 | 12 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 6,318 residents. This is not a current population estimate.
Sources and interpretation
These are police-recorded incident or victim counts, not every unreported incident or a prediction of personal safety. Percentage changes are not tests of statistical significance; small counts need particular care.