Cardiff is a city built on experience. From major sporting fixtures and international artist tours to shopping, hospitality and cultural events, the city welcomes millions of visitors each year. Behind each successful city experience is something visitors often take for granted; a clean, safe and well-managed environment.
Since its inception in 2016, FOR Cardiff has remained committed to shaping a city centre that people feel proud to live in, work in, invest in and visit. In our most recent business consultation survey, cleanliness ranked as the second-highest priority for more than 1000 respondents, second only to crime reduction. These priorities are intrinsically linked. A city that feels clean, cared for and welcoming is also a city where people feel safer, stay longer and return more often.
As FOR Cardiff enters the ballot period for its third BID term, 2026-2031, Cardiff prepares for significant growth, with the new arena development in Cardiff Bay and an expanding programme of large-scale events. In our third term, FOR Cardiff will also expand our activity into Cardiff Bay, strengthening alignment across key visitor areas and supporting a consistent city-wide approach.
As a result, the importance of dedicated cleansing and safety initiatives will only continue to grow.
Maintaining a Clean Cardiff Every Day
FOR Cardiff’s dedicated cleansing team delivers services that exceed standard local authority provision, helping visitors experience a welcoming and well-maintained city centre.
Operating seven days a week, the team provides rapid-response cleansing support across the city centre including:
- Jet washing.
- Graffitti removal.
- Chewing gum removal.
- Needle collection and safe disposal.
- Deep cleansing support for businesses.
The impact of this work is significant. Between December 2023 and November 2025 alone, FOR Cardiff’s cleansing team achieved:
- 256,866 metres of pavement jet washed.
- 3,848 pieces of chewing gum removed.
- 4,670 graffiti tags removed.
- 1,532 needles safely collected.
These interventions are not solely cosmetic. Research consistently shows that clean public spaces improve visitor perception, increase dwell time and contribute positively to economic confidence.
Case Study: Rapid Response Cleaning on Event Days
Cardiff is one of the UK’s leading event cities, regularly welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors for rugby internationals, concerts and festivals. On major event days, cleansing operations become critical to maintaining the visitor experience.
FOR Cardiff’s team works closely with partners to coordinate rapid-response cleaning before, during and after events, ensuring streets remain accessible, safe and presentable despite exceptionally high footfall. This additional support is particularly important in hospitality-heavy areas where increased visitor numbers can quickly place pressure on public spaces.
The result is a city centre that can confidently host world-class events while protecting the day-to-day experience of residents, workers and businesses.
“The cleansing team are amazing, always so quick to respond and attend when needed and has really supported our team with clearing things left behind the venues.”
Kaylie Bunce, Neos Hospitality
Case Study: Tackling Graffiti and Anti-Social Impact
Graffiti and vandalism can have a substantial impact on perceptions of safety and investment in urban areas. FOR Cardiff’s cleansing team works with member businesses to remove graffiti quickly and efficiently, helping reduce the long-term visual impact of anti-social behaviour and discouraging repeat incidents.
Businesses can also request targeted support for deep cleaning and unwanted debris removal outside their premises. Offensive graffiti is prioritised for urgent removal. This proactive approach supports a stronger sense of pride across Cardiff city centre while helping businesses maintain welcoming frontages for customers.
“We contacted FOR Cardiff to arrange for their cleansing team to carry out a jetwash in the car park at our premises. They arrived the following day and did a very thorough and efficient job for us – thank you to all concerned.”
Sue Harvey, St David’s Children Society
Supporting a Safer Cardiff
Alongside wider city centre management initiatives, FOR Cardiff continues to invest heavily in safety initiatives that support businesses, visitors and the wider nighttime economy. Cardiff’s nightlife and events sector are vital contributors to the city’s economy, but busy city centres also require visible support systems, trusted partnerships and preventative safety measures.
FOR Cardiff’s work brings together businesses, South Wales Police, Cardiff Council and community organisations to help make Cardiff a safer and more inclusive place for everyone. Alongside cleansing, FOR Cardiff continues to invest heavily in safety initiatives that support businesses, visitors and the wider nighttime economy.
Case Study: Helping One Million People Get Home Safely
FOR Cardiff’s Night Marshals have become a familiar and reassuring presence within Cardiff’s nighttime economy.
The team supports residents, visitors and businesses by assisting vulnerable individuals, helping manage anti-social behaviour and ensuring people can get home safely after nights out and major events. Between January 2021 and December 2025, Night Marshals helped more than one million people get home safely.
Their role has become increasingly important as Cardiff’s evening economy continues to grow. Whether supporting visitors after concerts and sporting events or assisting those who feel vulnerable late at night, the marshals provide an approachable and visible safety presence across the city centre.
Strengthening Business Crime Partnerships
FOR Cardiff established Cardiff Against Business Crime (CABC) to improve intelligence sharing and strengthen partnership working between businesses and South Wales Police.
Today, CABC connects businesses through a coordinated Business Crime Reduction Partnership focused on reducing theft, anti-social behaviour and repeat offending. The partnership operates the CityNet radio system, enabling fast communication between businesses, security teams and police officers across the city centre.
Since launch, 301 CityNet radios have been supplied to businesses, helping create a more connected and responsive safety network.
CABC was accredited under the National Standards for Business Crime Reduction Partnerships in 2019 and successfully reaccredited in 2025, recognising its effectiveness in tackling crime collaboratively.
“Strong communication strengthens safety and CityNet radios keeps our team protected and connected.”
Michelle Field, Vans
Case Study: Safe Places and Ask for Angela
Safety is not only about crime reduction, but also about ensuring people feel supported, included and able to seek help when they need it. FOR Cardiff continues to lead and promote national safeguarding initiatives including Safe Places and Ask for Angela.
Safe Places
FOR Cardiff currently manages a network of 90 Safe Places across Cardiff. These locations provide safe, supportive spaces where anyone feeling intimidated, vulnerable or at risk can seek help, charge a phone, contact a friend or access support. The initiative forms part of a nationwide network designed to improve accessibility and reassurance within public spaces.
70,694 people viewed the Cardiff Safe Places website since 1st June 2025 showing the importance of this service.
Ask for Angela
Working alongside South Wales Police, FOR Cardiff also supports the Ask for Angela initiative across city centre venues. The scheme enables individuals feeling unsafe or uncomfortable in bars, restaurants or nightlife settings to discreetly ask venue staff for help using the code phrase “Is Angela here?”. Staff can then intervene appropriately and safely.
FOR Cardiff launched the first bilingual Welsh-language Ask for Angela scheme in Cardiff and continues to provide training materials and support for participating venues. Our Executive Director, Carolyn Brownell, is the UK Ambassador for Ask for Angela.
These initiatives help strengthen Cardiff’s reputation as a city that prioritises safety, inclusivity and wellbeing.
FOR the Future
As Cardiff continues to grow as a destination city, the need for proactive city management has never been greater. Visible safety support, collaborative partnerships and inclusive initiatives are essential foundations for a thriving city centre, particularly as visitor numbers continue to rise.
FOR Cardiff remains committed to delivering services that not only respond to challenges, but actively improve the experience of everyone who lives, works and spends time in the city.
Because creating a safer and cleaner Cardiff benefits everyone.