The UK is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. However, which city should you go? The crime rate in Britain has been on the rise in recent years. Therefore, crime statistics are essential and should be taken into consideration when choosing the destination. According to Numbeo, most dangerous cities in the UK are listed in the following part. Among them, the worst place to live in UK is Bradford. We must know in advance what most dangerous cities in Britain are, so that we can prepare adequately.
List of top 10 most dangerous cities in the UK
The UK is a developed country in the world, but the crime rate in recent years has been increasing. According to statistics, Bradford is the most dangerous city in UK. Surprisingly, even the capital, London, is one of the most dangerous places in the UK. Thus, don’t let your guard down in any city. Here is the list of the most dangerous cities in the UK, according to the latest crime index.
| Rank | Cities | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bradford | 68.1 |
| 2 | Coventry | 64.9 |
| 3 | Birmingham | 63.5 |
| 4 | Manchester | 55.3 |
| 5 | London | 54.6 |
| 6 | Nottingham | 50.8 |
| 7 | Liverpool | 48.4 |
| 8 | Belfast | 46.3 |
| 9 | Glasgow | 45.1 |
| 10 | Leeds | 43.9 |
Britain's most dangerous cities (detailed)
1. Bradford - Crime Index: 68.1
Bradford is a city in West Yorkshire, England, bordering Leeds. It was one of Britain’s early cultural centres, thriving in the wool and textile industries. Its history can be seen in many ancient buildings here. One of the most famous is the Saltaire World Heritage Site, which was the largest mill in Europe at that time.
But according to Numbeo’s crime index, Bradford is the worst city in Britain. The high crime index there is said to be mainly due to drugs and their dealing. In addition, the economic crime rate there is relatively high. Figures show that crime rates in Bradford are 90% higher than elsewhere in England and Wales.
2. Coventry - Crime Index: 64.9
Coventry is a city in the West Midlands in central England. It is famous for its automotive industry, and Jaguar has its headquarter and manufacturing plant here. Coventry also has some famous universities, such as Coventry University in the city centre, and the University of Warwick in the south.
Coventry has been named the second most dangerous city in UK, mainly because of drugs. In addition, there are lots of theft and violent crimes. Coventry’s city centre is packed with bars and nightclubs. These places are easy to cause disturbances and other public security problems, thus increasing the crime rate in Coventry.
3. Birmingham - Crime Index: 63.5
Birmingham is a large industrial city in the West Midlands of England, and is also the largest city in the United Kingdom outside London. Birmingham also attaches great importance to education, many famous universities are gathered here, including University of Birmingham, Aston University and so on. It has become the largest centre of higher education in the UK outside London.
In addition to the widespread drug and violent crime problems in British society, there are other reasons for the rise in crime in Birmingham. In recent years, due to the impact of inflation, Birmingham’s economy was hit hard, and finally declared bankruptcy in September 2023. The tight economic situation has increased the poverty rate and caused an unstable job market in Birmingham. All these factors lead to high crime index in Birmingham.
4. Manchester - Crime Index: 55.3
Manchester is located in the northwest of England and is the fifth most populous city in the United Kingdom. Manchester played an important role in the development of the Industrial Revolution and was the first industrialized city in the world. The world’s first intercity commuter railway was born here. Manchester is also home to most students in Europe, with several universities, including University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, etc. University of Manchester is the largest full-time university in the UK.
As an important city in the United Kingdom, Manchester has a dense population, which increases the crime rate to some extent. A large population flow may bring difficulties in social security management, which allows some criminal behaviours to breed. Manchester has many immigrants from different cultural backgrounds and social classes whose lifestyles and values may differ from locals. This difference can lead to an increase in social conflicts and contradictions, thus increasing the risk of crime.
5. London - Crime Index: 54.6
London is the capital and largest city in the UK. As a well-known international metropolis, London’s economy, culture, education and other aspects are leading the world. London is a great city with many titles, including the world’s largest number of international visitors, one of the world’s financial centres, and the world’s leading investment location. There are plenty of prestigious universities in London, such as UCL, KCL, ICL, etc.
Surprisingly, London is one of the most dangerous places in England. There are many reasons for this. Although London’s economy is developed, wealth is unequal. Some people have lower incomes and lower living standards, which can easily cause crime. In addition, as a city of multicultural integration, there may be contradictions and conflicts among different cultural, religious and social groups. London’s population mobility is large as well, which also increases the difficulty of security management.
6. Nottingham - Crime Index: 50.8
Nottingham, located in Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands region of England, is an important industrial and commercial city in the United Kingdom. However, Nottingham is a unitary authority and is not administered by Nottinghamshire. The city is also a major sports centre in the United Kingdom and has been named the “Home of England’s Sports”. The National Ice Centre, the Holme Pierrepont National Aquatics Centre and the Trent Bridge International Cricket Ground are all located in or around the city. Nottingham is also home to two professional football teams. University of Nottingham is ranked 108th in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Nottingham has consistently had one of the highest crime rate in UK, hence it got another name of “crime capital”. Crime in Nottingham is diverse, such as murder, rape and assault. These crimes pose a severe threat to the safety of citizens and also add to the impression that the city has a high crime rate.
7. Liverpool - Crime Index: 48.4
Liverpool is a port city in the northwest of England and one of the eight core cities of England. It is very close to London and only takes about 2 hours by high-speed train. Liverpool is rich in culture, Albert Dock, the Beatles, etc., are all from Liverpool. University of Liverpool is a prestigious university in the UK, which has cultivated many outstanding talents. Liverpool Football Club is a world famous club and one of the most successful clubs in the history of England.
There is a certain unemployment problem in the Liverpool area, and the high unemployment rate may lead to some people facing economic hardship, which increases the risk of crime. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the local police, knife crime in Liverpool has increased in recent years. This could be linked to factors such as an increase in crime by young people, an increase in female suspects and a decrease in the number of police officers. As well as knife crime, Liverpool also has problems with other types of crime such as fraud, violence, theft, robbery and so on. The occurrence of these crime types may also have an impact on the overall crime rate.
8. Belfast - Crime Index: 46.3
Belfast is the largest port city in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. Belfast is the industrial centre of Northern Ireland. The area is rich in manufacturing and services, providing a wide range of employment opportunities for local residents. Belfast is also the transport hub of Northern Ireland, with convenient road, rail and air networks.
Belfast has a high crime rate, most likely due to its long history of conflict between the Irish independence movement and the government. To a certain extent, these historical problems have led to social instability and frequent crimes. Although these conflicts have subsided, the social rifts and contradictions caused by historical issues may still exist, and have some impact on the current crime rate.
9. Glasgow - Crime Index: 45.1
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and the fourth largest in the United Kingdom. Manufacturing was once the city’s pillar industry, especially shipbuilding on the River Clyde. In recent years, Glasgow has gradually developed into one of the top 10 financial centres in Europe, and many corporate headquarters are located here. University of Glasgow is one of the oldest universities in Scotland and a world-renowned key university. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, University of Glasgow is ranked 78th.
The high crime rate in Glasgow is a complex social phenomenon, and the main reasons for this may be the following: Some communities in Glasgow are economically disadvantaged, which increases the crime risk. Besides, some communities in Glasgow have a long-standing culture of violence or gang culture that may encourage or tolerate criminal behaviour.
10. Leeds - Crime Index: 43.9
Leeds is located in West Yorkshire, England. It is the geographical centre of the UK, located between London and Edinburgh, and is an important transport hub in the UK. Leeds is an important economic, commercial, industrial and cultural centre in the middle of the United Kingdom, with rapid economic growth, rapid resident population growth and low unemployment. University of Leeds also provides rich educational resources and a cultural atmosphere for the city.
Leeds has a higher crime rate because of its high population density. And the city has many commercial areas and entertainment venues, often robbery, theft and other cases. In order to reduce the crime rate, Leeds government, police, community and other aspects should work together to strengthen social security management.
What makes a city dangerous?
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), crime in the UK has fallen in recent years, particularly in 2023, when the crime rate in England and Wales hit its lowest level since 1981. However, while overall crime is down, certain types of crime, such as shoplifting, robbery and knife crime, are on the rise. These types of crime have a significant impact on the public’s sense of security. For the analysis of the British crime rate, we can conduct in-depth discussions from multiple aspects.
Economy
Britain is a developed country, but the social development is unbalanced. The gap between the rich and the poor is large. Inequality in British society may cause dissatisfaction among some people, thus increasing the motivation for crime. Moreover, in recent years, the UK has been hit hard by inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased unemployment. High unemployment has left some people without a source of income, potentially forcing them to turn to crime.
Society
The population density in big cities may increase the crime rate. And the population is highly mobile, which provides more opportunities and space for crime. Britain is also an important country for immigrants. People with different cultural backgrounds may have conflicts due to cultural differences, value conflicts and other reasons, which will lead to crimes. And some parts of the UK are less educated. People in these areas turn to crime because they lack sufficient knowledge and skills to cope with life’s challenges.
Public Security
On the whole, the UK has a relatively sound security system, which provides a strong guarantee for public safety. However, big cities, especially prosperous areas such as London, due to the large population and large mobility, security problems are relatively prominent. There may be more opportunities for crime in these areas.
How to keep safe in most violent cities in UK?
As a newcomer to the UK, especially for those who live in the most violent places in the UK, keeping safe is the most important thing you should bear in mind. Then, how to keep safe in most violent cities in UK? Here are some tips for you.
1. Choose a safe accommodation
If you’re a college student, the most common places you visit are apartments and schools. The campus is relatively safe with comprehensive safety facilities and security systems. Therefore, you can basically protect yourself by choosing a safe apartment. How to choose a safe accommodation in UK? You need to consider how secure the block is, the security system of the building, the identity of the residents living in the apartment, and so on. If you want to make finding a safe place even easier, check uhomes.com. We will give you the best advice and recommend the safest apartment for you.
2. Go out with friends
For the sake of your safety, when you go out, try to stay with friends and never go out alone. If you must go out alone, keep in touch with a friend or roommate. Tell them exactly where you are, and keep the phone open.
3. Keep a low profile
Do not show your valuables, such as mobile phones, computers, cameras, etc. When shopping in luxury stores, it is best to choose ordinary bags and try to find friends to accompany them to prevent thieves from following them. Try to bring small amounts of cash. Prepare a special card bag, store bank cards, student cards and other important documents, to avoid loss. At the same time, keep cash, bank cards and important documents separately.
4. Remember emergency contact information
Please remember the emergency numbers: 999 (emergency), 101 (non-emergency), 112 (International emergency), and +44-7810792326 of the Chinese Embassy in the UK. You should also know the contact information and address of local emergency agencies, such as local police, fire, and medical facilities, so that you can be contacted quickly in case of facing problems.
Everything about most dangerous cities in the UK
Britain is a relatively safe country, but there are still some areas where security is relatively weak. Bradford is considered the most dangerous city in UK, according to new figures. Even the capital, London, is one of the most dangerous cities in the UK. Crimes in these cities range from theft and robbery to violent crime. In addition to Bradford and London, several other parts of the UK have also been classified as dangerous areas, such as Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham. Therefore, when travelling to these areas, people should be vigilant and strengthen their awareness of self-protection to avoid becoming a target of criminals.
FAQ
According to Numbeo, the most dangerous city in UK is Bradford, and its crime index is 68.1. And the top 10 most dangerous cities in the UK are listed below.
Most dangerous areas in London are listed below:
- Brixton: 274 Crimes Per 1000 People
- Peckham: 238 Crimes Per 1000 People
- Tottenham: 216 Crimes Per 1000 People
- Bethnal Green to Cambridge Heath Metro Stations Area: 153 Crimes Per 1000 People
- Elephant and Castle: 152 Crimes Per 1000 People
- Hackney: 126 Crimes Per 1000 People
- Lewisham: 119 Crimes Per 1000 People
- Tower Hamlets: 110 Crimes Per 1000 People
There is no doubt that people in London earn the highest average salary in the UK. Their average weekly wage is £727.
