An industrial town in Yorkshire has surpassed a popular coastal resort to become the most dangerous place to reside in. Data analyzed by the Mirror indicates that Middlesbrough in North Yorkshire now has the highest crime rate in England and Wales, excluding central London and the City of Westminster. While Blackpool in Lancashire held this dubious distinction in 2025, its crime rate has since improved.
Recent statistics from the Home Office show an increase in serious offenses across England and Wales, such as sexual offenses (up by 4%), stalking and harassment (up by 4%), robbery (up by 10%), drug-related crimes (up by 12%), and possession of weapons (up by 8%). Despite these rises, there has been an overall decrease in crime over the past decade. In the year ending March 2026, over five million non-fraud offenses were reported, representing a 1% decline from the previous year.
While major cities like Birmingham, Leeds, and Manchester see the highest volume of offenses due to their population size, crime rates adjusted for population offer a fairer comparison across areas of varying sizes. Quarterly reports highlight the areas with the highest likelihood of experiencing crime. As of December 2025, Blackpool had the highest crime rate, but the latest data up to March 2026 reveals that Middlesbrough has overtaken Blackpool as the most crime-affected area in England and Wales, excluding central London and the City of Westminster.
Middlesbrough’s crime rate has risen by 1% in the past year, with 23,419 reported crimes equating to 150 crimes per 1,000 residents. Despite a decrease in crime, Blackpool remains the second-highest in the country with 146 offenses per 1,000 residents, followed by Manchester with 143 crimes per 1,000 residents, Hartlepool (134), and Bristol (131).
On the other end of the spectrum, Broadland in Norfolk has maintained its status as the safest place to live in mainland England and Wales, boasting the lowest crime rate of 35 crimes per 1,000 residents. To see how your area compares, you can explore our interactive map.
