A recent in-depth analysis of crime data across England and Wales has uncovered which parts of the Midlands experience the highest crime rates relative to their populations. By adjusting for population size, this approach highlights areas with true crime challenges, rather than simply reflecting the largest cities.
Contrary to popular belief, Birmingham does not top the Midlands’ list for crime rates. Instead, Nottingham ranks as the most dangerous city in the region, placing ninth nationally with a crime rate of 120.8 incidents per 1,000 residents.
Birmingham comes in lower than expected, ranking 19th with a crime rate of 113.9 per 1,000 people. Nearby Leicester ranks 18th with a slightly lower figure of 111.6 incidents per 1,000 people. These are the only Midlands cities making the national top 20.
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Crime rates provide a clear perspective on the likelihood of becoming a victim by comparing offences to the population size. Outside of London, Blackpool leads the country with the highest crime rate, followed by Manchester and Middlesbrough.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, rural areas like Broadland in Norfolk report the lowest crime rates, followed by Ribble Valley in Lancashire and Waverley in Surrey.
Overall, crime rates across England and Wales have generally decreased over the past decade, though some types of crime, such as fraud, have seen increases.