Explore the most dangerous areas in England and Wales, where crime rates are alarmingly high.From Cleveland to London, delve into the concerning statistics and factors contributing to these areas heightened risks.
Most Dangerous Areas In England And Wales
Cleveland
Cleveland, one of the smallest boroughs in England, is primarily known for its beach resort of Redcar, which provides cliffside vistas across the North Sea. Because of the area’s expansive Hunt Cliff vistas and walking paths along the shore, it’s no wonder that both homeowners and vacationers choose it.
The startling reality is that Cleveland is the most deadly place in Wales and England. Its crime rate, which is 14% higher than the next most dangerous city’s at 143.4 crimes per 1000 population, is expected to remain elevated for some time to come, given that it increased by 16% in the previous year.
The main problems facing Cleveland are the high rates of theft (22,738 offences), criminal damage (10,706 offences), and violent crime (30,509 offences), all of which have increased by at least 12% from the previous year.
West Yorkshire
The five most populous counties in the North of England—Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield—make up the ceremonial county of West Yorkshire. That the area is a mosaic of city skylines, high peaks, and winding country lanes is therefore not surprising.
With 132.3 crimes committed per 1000 persons, the region has the second-highest crime rate in all of England and Wales as a result of the region’s rapidly expanding population. That is an 11% rise over the same period previous year.
According to that rate, West Yorkshire is the second most dangerous region in England and Wales due to significant numbers for violent crime (131,419 occurrences), theft (76,741 incidents), and public order offences (43,123 incidents).
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester, one of the more urbanised areas on our list, with its roots in the manufacturing and coal mining sectors. Its varied terrain includes both attractive villages and lush countryside, interspersed with hardworking towns and cities.
But understandably, a growing crime rate goes hand in hand with popularity, and Greater Manchester is unfortunately not an exception in this regard. During the past year, the region’s crime rate increased by 8% to 128 offences per 1000 persons.
There are a number significant contributing factors, the most important of which is the high rate of violent crime (139,334 offences) in the area, which increased at a pace of 7% along with the general crime rate. Theft (102,221 events) and public order offences (51,954 incidents) all have concerning levels, which is why Greater Manchester ends up third in our rankings of the riskiest places in England and Wales.
West Midlands
The West Midlands, which is synonymous with big cities like Birmingham and Coventry, is one of the UK’s most historically significant areas. Since then, the West Midlands’ once-thumping industrial and manufacturing heart has given way to bustling contemporary metropolises and conurbations while preserving the regions of outstanding natural beauty that define the region.
The area’s high crime rate, which ranks it fourth on our list, is the main disadvantage despite its seeming attractions. With 125.8 crimes committed per 1000 people, the region should be extremely concerned, especially because the numbers are 10% more than they were a year ago.
Concerning figures are found in the rising crime rate for both violent crime (250,520 events) and theft (173,380 incidents), with theft showing a 23% increase over 2021 levels.
Merseyside
Merseyside is much more than just Liverpool’s famous waterfront and flashy lights; it includes a rocky coastline that stretches from seaside communities like Southport to the rural areas of the Wirral and beyond.
However, this breadth can also be detrimental to the area, as evidenced by the crime rate, which is currently at 120.2 offences per 1000 residents after increasing by 10% from the previous year’s numbers.
But the most frequent offences are still the same. Theft (34,848 events), public order offences (26,979 occurrences), and violent crime (69,959 incidents) all increased from the previous year’s figures and continue to be a persistent issue for Merseyside police departments.
South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire, a picturesque region of northern England’s countryside, is home to a variety of landmarks and lifestyles, from the vibrant nightlife of Sheffield to the low-lying moors and dales that perfectly capture Yorkshire’s blend of the traditional and the contemporary.
Regretfully, nevertheless, the trend towards modernity has resulted in a significant 12% increase in South Yorkshire’s crime rate over the previous year’s statistics, with 115.9 crimes per 1000 persons in 2022.
The most common crime in the area is violent crime (57,898 offences), although stealing (48,446 offences) and criminal damage (18,282 offences) should also be of concern. The rate of shoplifting (9443 crimes) is also concerning since it increased by an extraordinary 32% over the previous year’s data.
Humberside
Although this region of Northern England is no longer known by the name Humberside, its expansive views of the North Sea and its rich industrial and historical legacy remain, especially in major ports such as Grimsby and Scunthorpe.
Regretfully, the area’s crime numbers continue to be dismal as well; there are 104.2 crimes committed in the region for every 1000 residents, which is an 11% increase over prior years’ figures.
The major problems facing the people of Humberside are the high rates of theft (27,174 occurrences) and violent crime (37,525 incidents), which have both increased by 30% and 6% over the previous year.
Gwent
Gwent is an important region in southern Wales, despite being one of the smaller areas on our list in terms of population. Gwent, which is home to some of the most significant locations in Wales, is a historical and scenic region with an undulating terrain formed by the rolling hills and valleys of Caerphilly and Newport.
The stunning Gwent region may surprise you by ranking eighth on our list, but with 100.9 crimes committed per 1000 people, it’s the most dangerous in all of Wales. Furthermore, the area has experienced a rise of more than 17% in comparison to the data from the previous year.
Violent crime, which accounts for 24,028 offences out of Gwent’s total crime of 59,347 offences, has significantly increased by 21% from the previous year’s statistics. Additionally, there are alarmingly high rates of public order violations (10,111 incidents) and larceny offences (11,772 incidents).
London
The capital city of the United Kingdom is also one of its most diversified areas. London is a vast and diverse city that draws in equal numbers of tourists and newcomers, offering them a clear picture of what makes the UK outstanding.
However, London’s high crime rate—99.2 crimes per 1000 residents—is not as high. This represents a growth of over 10% over the figures from 2021, with stealing from individuals witnessing the biggest increase of 53%.
Out of the 872,856 crimes that the capital experienced last year, the most common ones were vehicle crimes (108,910), violent crimes (241,408), and theft (402,466 offences). All of these categories saw rises in offences above the previous year’s rates.
Durham
Durham is a beautiful region in North East England that blends contemporary living with a strong sense of history. This is largely because Durham is home to one of the oldest universities in the United Kingdom as well as a soaring cathedral and castle.
The region’s alarmingly high crime rate, which stands at 97.8 crimes per 1000 people, should worry everyone, especially because it’s 4 points more than the national average and has increased by 8% from the previous year’s figures.
The most serious problem in Durham is violent crime, with 24,706 events. However, there are also significant numbers of theft (14,675 incidents) and criminal damage (9476 incidents) that rank Durham among the most dangerous places in England and Wales.