When thinking about moving to a new place, safety is often a top concern, and while the UK is generally considered a safe country, there are certain areas where crime rates are higher. Whether it’s due to higher rates of burglary, violent crime, or anti-social behaviour, these places are often flagged as the most dangerous.
Birmingham City Centre
Birmingham is the UK’s second-largest city, and with its size comes a higher rate of crime, particularly in the city centre. The bustling streets, busy nightlife, and diverse population make it a vibrant place to live, but they also contribute to its challenges.
Manchester – Moss Side
In Manchester, Moss Side is an area with a reputation that precedes it, known historically for gang violence and drug-related crime, yet it has seen significant efforts to regenerate and improve safety. However, Moss Side still struggles with a higher-than-average crime rate, particularly when it comes to violent crimes.
London – Westminster
Westminster might be famous for its landmarks like the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace, but it’s also notorious for its crime rates. The area attracts millions of tourists each year, which unfortunately also attracts pickpockets and scammers.
Liverpool – Anfield
Home to Liverpool FC, Anfield is a neighbourhood that experiences high levels of crime, particularly in terms of burglary and anti-social behaviour. The area has its charms, especially for football fans, but it also faces significant social challenges, including poverty and unemployment.
Glasgow City Centre
Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, has a vibrant culture and a rich history, but the city centre is often highlighted for its higher crime rates, especially violent crime. The nightlife scene, which is one of Glasgow’s biggest attractions, also brings with it issues related to alcohol-fuelled violence.
Nottingham – St. Ann’s
Another area with a reputation for being less than safe, St. Ann’s in Nottingham is known for its higher rates of drug-related crime and violence, and this area has seen its share of challenges. While community initiatives have aimed to reduce crime and improve living conditions, St. Ann’s still struggles with issues.
London – Croydon
Croydon, a large town in South London, has been in the spotlight for its crime rates in recent years. The area has seen an increase in violent crime, including knife crime, which has been a growing concern across the capital.
Bradford – City Centre
An area that often ranks high on lists of crime hotspots in the UK is Bradford’s city centre, as the area struggles with issues related to anti-social behaviour, theft, and violent crime. Despite efforts to revitalise the city, these challenges remain, making it a less appealing place to settle for those prioritising safety.
Sheffield – Burngreave
Burngreave in Sheffield is a neighbourhood that has long struggled with higher crime rates. Known for its cultural diversity and strong community ties, it’s also an area where residents face challenges such as poverty and unemployment, which often correlate with higher crime levels.
London – Hackney
Located in East London, Hackney has undergone significant gentrification over the past few decades; despite this, the area still grapples with crime, particularly violent crime and drug-related issues. Hackney’s vibrant cultural scene and trendy hotspots attract many, but these same factors can also make it a target for criminals.
Leicester – City Centre
Leicester’s city centre is often highlighted for its higher crime rates compared to other parts of the city. The area is a hub for shopping, nightlife, and entertainment, but these attractions also bring challenges, particularly when it comes to anti-social behaviour and violent crime.
London – Tower Hamlets
Tower Hamlets, another borough in East London, is known for its diverse population and rich history. However, it’s also an area that faces significant crime challenges, including violent crime, gang activity, and drug-related offences, and despite the fact the borough has been the focus of many efforts to improve safety, these issues persist.
Bristol – Easton
A neighbourhood known for its vibrant community and cultural diversity, but also an area with a higher crime rate, is Easton in Bristol. Violent crime, drug-related offences, and anti-social behaviour are more common here than in other parts of Bristol.
London – Newham
Newham, in East London, is another area that ranks high when it comes to crime rates. The borough has a history of gang violence, drug-related crime, and anti-social behaviour, and despite significant redevelopment, including the legacy of the 2012 Olympics, Newham continues to face challenges.
Leeds – City Centre
A busy area with plenty of shops, bars, and restaurants, Leeds City Centre also has one of the highest crime rates in the city. Issues such as theft, anti-social behaviour, and violent crime are more prevalent here, particularly in areas with a lively nightlife.
London – Lambeth
Lambeth is a central London borough that includes areas like Brixton, which is known for its vibrant cultural scene, but Lambeth contends with higher rates of crime, particularly violent crime and drug-related offences. The area’s lively atmosphere, while appealing to many, can also contribute to its problems.
Newcastle upon Tyne – Benwell
Having a reputation for being one of the more dangerous areas in the city, the crime rates in Benwell, a neighbourhood in Newcastle upon Tyne, are higher, particularly when it comes to anti-social behaviour and burglary. The area has seen some regeneration efforts, but it continues to be a riskier place to live.
London – Camden
Camden is famous for its market, music scene, and alternative culture, attracting millions of visitors each year, yet unfortunately it’s also known for its crime rates—particularly drug-related crime and theft. The area’s popularity with tourists and young people can sometimes make it a target for criminals.
Middlesbrough – Central
And finally, Middlesbrough’s central area often ranks high in terms of crime rates in the UK. The town has struggled with economic decline, which has contributed to higher levels of poverty and crime, meaning issues such as burglary, violent crime, and anti-social behaviour are more common here than in many other parts of the country.
