The presence of criminal activity is an inevitable aspect of every community in which we choose to reside or do business. Crimes of vandalism and antisocial behavior on our street corners, as well as larceny and theft from stores large and small, are unfortunately widespread and often make national and local news.
Although crime is a problem all around the United Kingdom, certain regions are obviously considerably riskier than others. Our current guide is an effort to provide you with the information you need to better understand and combat crime; as a top security organization, we realize how important it is to be well-informed.
Let’s take a look at 25 of the riskiest neighborhoods in the UK and see what makes them so dangerous based on the crime rates. In order to assess the efficacy of preventive measures and identify areas that need more attention to guarantee the safety of both residents and tourists, we will also examine the trends.
England and Wales offer something for everyone, from the rush and bustle of some of the world’s biggest economic powerhouses to the sweeping hills and valleys of the picturesque countryside.
Unfortunately, despite that comprehensive strategy, crime affects every country. England and Wales certainly struggle with crime, with 5,494,256 criminal offenses in the latest year and a crime rate of 91.2 per 1000 persons.
Closer analysis of such crime numbers raises further concerns. Extremely high rates of violent crime (2,049,254 occurrences), theft (1,789,462), and public order crimes (516,661) make for sad reading.
Key crimes that have witnessed huge event numbers are also raising concerns. Shoplifting (430,104 occurrences) increased 36% over previous year on the greatest scale.
Personal theft (125,563 instances, up 18%), robbery (81,094, up 13%), and weapon possession (58,989 incidents, up 6%) have all increased dramatically.
The good news is that overall crime in England and Wales reduced by 1% last year, but there are still major concerns. This is particularly true in England and Wales’ most risky areas—let’s examine them.
The 25 Riskiest Regions in the United Kingdom and Wales Expose
- We’ll reveal England and Wales’ most unsafe places and a cross-section of the data that make them so unsavory.
- Portsmouth
On average, 122.8 crimes per 1000 people occur.
Portsmouth, one of England’s most famous harbourside towns, with 122.8 crimes per 1,000 population. Concerns emerge from high violent crime (10,475 occurrences), theft (7,160 incidents), and public order crimes (2725 incidents). - Southwark has a crime rate of 122.8 crimes per 1000 people.
The Shard, Globe Theatre, and other London landmarks are in Southwark, our first most hazardous borough. Despite such benefits, the area’s total crime rate of 122.8 crimes per 1000 persons, rising theft (19,692 offenses), violent crime (9,136 offenses), and criminal damage (2,154 offenses), is concerning. - Calderdale has a crime rate of 122.9 crimes per 1000 people.
Halifax sits in Calderdale, the heart of the beautiful Calder Valley, which has a growing crime rate of 122.9 offenses per 1000 population. Crime in the region is 45% violent (11,509 events), followed by stealing (6,172 incidents) and public order (3,115 incidents). - Hackney Crime Rates
- There are 123.3 crimes per 1000 people.
- Hackney, known for its Black Cabs and dense population, has a crime rate of 123.3 offenses per 1000 persons. Look deeper and we uncover shocking numbers for theft (15,205 events), violent crime (8,702 incidents), and vehicle offenses (2,586 instances).
- Newcastle
There are 123.7 crimes per 1000 people.
While Newcastle is known as one of the North East’s cities, its rising crime rate of 123.7 crimes per 1000 population overshadows its vibrant nightlife and cultural accomplishments. That’s mostly violent crime (13,217 offenses) and theft (13,005), although drug crimes (1,193 offences) are growing. - Nottingham has an overall crime rate of 124.6 crimes per 1000 people.
Nottingham is famed for Robin Hood and is one of the UK’s fastest-growing cities. Its crime rate of 124.6 offenses per 1000 population may reflect this popularity. Residents worry most about stealing (14,008), violent crime (13,401), and criminal damage (3,843). - H&F
There are 124.8 crimes per 1000 people.
Hammersmith & Fulham, a hub for London’s sports and academia, is disappointingly high on England & Wales’ most hazardous list. Its position is justified by a 124.8 crime rate per 1000 population and rising theft (11,551 events), violent crime (5,909 incidents), and vehicle offenses (3,187 incidents). - Leicester has an overall crime rate of 125 crimes per 1000 people.
Leicester has several pulls, from its Premier League-winning football club to its status as one of the East Midlands’ most desirable places to live and work. As violent crime (17,920 events), theft (12,416 incidents), and public order offenses (5,992 incidents) rise, its total crime rate of 125 crimes per 1000 population provides a counterbalance. - Birmingham: 128.9 Crimes Per 1000 People
Birmingham’s criminal image detracts from its attraction as the UK’s second biggest city and the West Midlands’ cultural, artistic, and industrial hub. The city’s crime rate is 128.9 per 1000, including 61,201 violent crimes, 46,871 larceny offenses, and 14,683 vehicle crimes. - Wakefield: 130.3 Crimes Per 1000 People
Wakefield is known for its cathedral and rugby legacy, but its crime rate of 130.3 crimes per 1000 population detracts from its reputation. Further investigation reveals alarming levels in violent crimes (19,827), theft (12,711), and public order (5,360). - Islington: 131.5 Crimes Per 1000 People
This renowned North London borough has 131.5 crimes per 1000 people, making it one of the most hazardous. Most Islington residents face theft (14,294), which accounts for 49% of all criminal activity, along with violent (7,148) and vehicle (2,288) offenses. - Lincoln
Summary: 131.6 Crimes Per 1000 People
Lincoln, the namesake of its county and one of England’s most historically important and prominent cities, has a less acceptable reputation with 131.6 crimes per 1000 population. Violent crime (4,944), theft (4,371), and criminal damage (1,347 instances) raise serious concerns. - Bradford Crime Rates
Summary: 132.4 Crimes Per 1000 People
The city’s famous sports and cultural past and promises to revolutionize its faltering industries and commercial sectors suggest a decline, but its rising crime rate of 132.4 crimes per 1000 population suggests otherwise. Violent (32,762), theft (17,291), and public order (8,323) offenses make news. - Southampton has a crime rate of 133.3 per 1000 people.
Southampton, one of this island nation’s most famous port towns and the entrance to England, is less popular due to its 133.3 crime rate per 1000 population. Growing concerns include violent crime (13,203 offences), theft (10,034), and burglary (2,407), which is 77% greater than Portsmouth. - Leeds has an overall crime rate of 133.3 crimes per 1000 people.
Leeds is one of Yorkshire’s main cities and has a vibrant arts and cultural scene, which may explain its high crime rate of 133.3 crimes per 1000 population. The newest UK data show worrying figures for violent crime (42,516), theft (34,466), and public order crimes (12,102). - Doncaster: 134.1 Overall Crime Rate Per 1000 People
Doncaster is on the brink of England and Wales’ top 10 most hazardous regions. South Yorkshire, an industrial powerhouse and heavily populated region, had 134.1 crimes per 1000 persons last year, including violent crime (14,822), theft (13,849 instances), and criminal damage (4,455). - Hull has a crime rate of 136.7 crimes per 1000 people.
Hull, a former cultural center, currently has one of Yorkshire’s worst crime rates, 136.7 per 1000. Kingston-Upon-Hull is changing as violent crime (14,605), theft (10,367), and public order offenses (4,582) rise. - Liverpool: 136.7 Crimes Per 1000 People
Liverpool, a major contributor to the UK’s musical, artistic, and cultural scene, also has a high crime rate of 136.7 per 1000 population. There are several factors, but violent crime (25,273), theft (17,532), and drug offenses (5,865) are the most common. - Hartlepool has a crime rate of 149.2 crimes per 1000 people.
Hartlepool, one of two North East districts in the top 10 most hazardous in England and Wales, with 149.2 crimes per 1000 population, despite its marine heritage. Deeper investigation reveals rising violent crime (5,629 instances), theft (4,323), and criminal damage (1,716 incidents). - Blackpool
There are 157.3 crimes per 1000 people.
A top Northern coastal destination and a beloved element of UK seaside memories, Blackpool’s chintzy appearance masks a frightening crime rate of 157.3 offenses per 1000 inhabitants. The rising levels of violent crime (9,703), theft (6,309), and criminal damage (2,283) are the main challenges. - Kensington & Chelsea has a crime rate of 160.4 per 1000 people.
Kensington and Chelsea, a wealthy area of the capital, with 160.4 crimes per 1000 population, a surprising placement on this list. As expected, stealing (14,032 events) accounts for nearly 57% of all crime in the borough, followed by violent crime (4,624 incidents) and vehicle offenses (2,902). - Middlesbrough: 170.1 Crimes Per 1000 People
Middlesbrough, one of the North East’s and the nation’s most productive cities, with 170.1 crimes per 1000 population. Middlesbrough has many problems, but violent crimes (9,675), theft (6,608), and criminal damage (3,173) make headlines. - Manchester: 172.6 Crimes Per 1000 People
Manchester—known as the “Capital of the North”—aspires to London’s urban style. In its 172.6 crimes per 1000 population, it’s only matched by the capital. Public order offences (11,612 occurrences) and criminal damage (7,605 incidents) are also causing concern, but violent crimes (33,253 incidents) and theft (32,266 incidents) are the most common. - Camden
There are 184.2 crimes per 1000 people.
Camden is England and Wales’ second-most hazardous district, often associated with its world-famous market. The borough ranks high due to its high crime rate of 184.2 offenses per 1000 population and high theft (23,971), violent (7,702), and vehicle (3,210) rates. - Westminster: 440 Crimes Per 1000 People
Surprisingly, England and Wales’ most hazardous place is the center of law and administration. Westminster has 440 crimes per 1000 people due to its high visitor traffic, which includes the Houses of Parliament. - Westminster’s primary issues include stealing (65,020 occurrences), which accounts for almost 69% of all crime. Along with 11,958 violent crimes, 4,503 vehicle offenses, and 4,024 public order offenses, those figures are disturbing.
Major Crime Trends in England and Wales
As you may have gathered from our essay, crime has long plagued England and Wales. The overall number of offenses dropped 1% to 5,494,256 from 5,527,664.
Closer investigation shows reductions across numerous crime kinds, giving optimism. Bicycle theft declined 12% (68,612 instances, down from 77,876 incidents) and public order crimes fell 13% (516,611 events, down from 592,323).
Stalking and harassment (down 6%, from 707,267 occurrences to 663,526), criminal damage (down 5%, from 534,481 incidents to 508,936), and violent crime (down 3%, from 2,112,624 incidents to 2,049,254) have also decreased.
However, larger-scale improvements in England and Wales’ greatest crime challenges overwhelm these adjustments. There were 430,104 shoplifting instances in 2023, up 36% from 315,040 in 2022.
There are also alarming increases in theft from the person (18% to 125,563 events), robbery (13% to 81,094 incidents), and weapon possession (8% to 58,989 incidents).