A recent crime rate analysis has identified Nottingham as the most dangerous city in the Midlands, defying expectations that cities like Birmingham, Wolverhampton, or Stoke-on-Trent would lead the rankings. Nottingham ranks seventh overall in England and Wales, standing out due to its high crime rate relative to its population.
Rather than total crime numbers, which often favor larger cities like Birmingham, the study adjusted offence rates per 1,000 residents to highlight areas with disproportionately high crime levels. While Birmingham has a higher total number of offences, its crime rate ranks it 16th, with 114.1 offences per 1,000 residents compared to Nottingham’s 122.
Other Midlands cities also feature on the list but at lower positions: Derby ranks 20th, Stoke-on-Trent and Gloucester share 24th place, and Leicester comes in at 38th. Meanwhile, Black Country areas report comparatively lower crime rates—Sandwell at 54th, Wolverhampton at 61st, Walsall at 69th—while Coventry and Solihull are 75th and 104th respectively.
READ MORE: DWP Reduces State Pension Payments Below £241 Weekly Maximum for Some Pensioners
READ MORE: A38 Sutton Coldfield Section Rated ‘Unhealthy’ by Road Defects App
In a broader national context, Blackpool has overtaken Middlesbrough as the most dangerous place in England, with an alarming crime rate of 149 offences per 1,000 residents. Despite a 3% decrease in crime over the past year, Blackpool’s high rates of violent offences have pushed it to the top spot outside of London.
This data highlights the importance of considering crime rates relative to population size to better understand the true risk levels across cities and towns.