Crime is a reality in every corner of the world, including the UK. For many people, safety is a key factor when choosing where to live or set up a business. Our goal is to provide readers with clear, factual information about crime statistics in various regions. We’ve previously examined crime rates across England and Wales, including specific analyses of areas like the West Midlands.
Now, we turn our attention to the East Midlands, focusing on the regions with the highest crime rates. This article will examine what makes these areas stand out in crime statistics and present the key data that shapes public perception of safety in this part of England.
Would you like me to continue with the main body of the article, perhaps starting with an overview of crime in the East Midlands or diving into the first few areas on the list?
The Overall Crime Statistics For The East Midlands
The East Midlands, known for its contributions to the industrial era, presents a diverse landscape. This region blends the natural beauty of the Peak District with the modern urban skylines of cities like Leicester, Nottingham, and Derby.
Despite its rich heritage and geographical variety, the East Midlands faces significant challenges in terms of crime rates. The overall crime rate in the region stands at 83.5 crimes per 1000 residents.
In the most recent year of available data, the East Midlands recorded 413,572 offences. Among these, several categories stand out:
Violent Crime
Violent crime is a major concern, accounting for nearly 40% of all offences in the region. With 159,534 incidents reported, this category represents the largest share of criminal activities.
Theft and Property Crime
Theft remains a prevalent issue, with 123,834 incidents reported. This high number indicates ongoing challenges in protecting personal and business property.
Criminal Damage and Public Order Offences
The region also saw 41,374 incidents of criminal damage and 40,013 public order offences. These figures highlight issues related to property destruction and social disturbances.
Emerging Trends
One notable trend is the sharp increase in shoplifting. With 38,325 offences reported, this category has seen a 34% rise over the past year. This trend appears likely to continue, posing challenges for local businesses and law enforcement.
While these statistics provide an overview of crime in the East Midlands, it’s important to note that crime rates vary significantly across different areas within the region. Our analysis has identified the most crime-prone areas of the East Midlands, offering insights for those considering relocation or investment in this part of England.
Read Also: The 25 Most Dangerous Areas Of Wales (2024 Updated)
The 25 Most Dangerous Areas of The East Midlands
Our analysis of crime statistics has revealed some surprising entries among the East Midlands’ most dangerous regions, including several popular seaside resorts alongside major towns and cities.
25. Grantham
Overall Crime Rate: 106.7 Crimes Per 1000 People
Grantham, an industrious and established town in Lincolnshire, tops our list with a crime rate of 106.7 crimes per 1000 residents. The town faces significant challenges with violent crime (1,595 offences), antisocial behavior (818 offences), and shoplifting (552 offences).
24. Kettering
Overall Crime Rate: 107.8 Crimes Per 1000 People
Kettering, a town balancing industry and market-town life, reports a high crime rate of 107.8 crimes per 1000 residents. The area struggles with high numbers of violent crimes (2,967 incidents), antisocial behavior (1,092 incidents), and shoplifting (534 incidents).
23. Bolsover
Overall Crime Rate: 108.9 Crimes Per 1000 People
Known for its castle and period architecture, Bolsover faces an overall crime rate of 108.9 crimes per 1000 residents. The town grapples with high rates of violent crime (593 incidents), antisocial behavior (273 incidents), and public order offences (157 incidents).
22. Hucknall
Overall Crime Rate: 110.5 Crimes Per 1000 People
Hucknall, a Nottinghamshire town experiencing recent expansion, reports a crime rate of 110.5 crimes per 1000 residents. The area faces challenges with violent crime (1,138 incidents), shoplifting (790 incidents), and antisocial behavior (640 incidents).
21. Long Eaton
Overall Crime Rate: 110.5 Crimes Per 1000 People
Long Eaton, known for its brass band and green spaces, reports a crime rate of 110.5 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime (1,416 incidents) accounts for about one-third of offences, followed by shoplifting (737 offences) and antisocial behavior (601 offences).
20. Wellingborough
Overall Crime Rate: 110.6 Crimes Per 1000 People
Wellingborough, an up-and-coming area in Northamptonshire, reports a crime rate of 110.6 crimes per 1000 residents. The town faces significant issues with violent crime (2,842 incidents), antisocial behavior (1,116 incidents), and shoplifting (496 incidents).
19. Worksop
Overall Crime Rate Of 112.6 Crimes Per 1000 People
Worksop, a market town located on the River Ryton, has developed a robust local economy. However, this growth comes with a concerning crime rate of 112.6 crimes per 1000 residents. The main contributors to this statistic include violent crime (1,611 incidents), shoplifting (931 incidents), and antisocial behavior (913 incidents).
18. Mansfield
Overall Crime Rate Of 112.8 Crimes Per 1000 People
Mansfield, one of Nottinghamshire’s historic market towns, reports an overall crime rate of 112.8 offenses per 1000 residents. This figure is driven by high numbers in theft (4,428 offenses), violent crime (4,302 offenses), and criminal damage (1,298 offenses). These categories have seen increases compared to previous years.
17. Mansfield Woodhouse
Overall Crime Rate Of 113.4 Crimes Per 1000 People
Located near Mansfield, Mansfield Woodhouse faces similar challenges with a crime rate of 113.4 crimes per 1000 residents. The primary concerns for locals stem from high incidents of violent crime (766 incidents), antisocial behavior (297 incidents), and shoplifting (218 incidents).
16. Derby
Overall Crime Rate Of 117.6 Crimes Per 1000 People
Derby, the namesake of Derbyshire and a hub of culture, sport, and history in the East Midlands, reports a crime rate of 117.6 crimes per 1000 residents. The city’s inclusion on this list is due to high numbers in violent crime (12,439 incidents), theft (8,473 incidents), and public order offenses (3,841 incidents).
15. Swadlincote
Overall Crime Rate Of 120.9 Crimes Per 1000 People
Swadlincote, a former mining town in Derbyshire, faces modern challenges with a crime rate of 120.9 crimes per 1000 residents. The town sees high figures in violent crime (1,617 incidents), antisocial behavior (690 incidents), and public order offenses (420 incidents).
14. Sleaford
Overall Crime Rate Of 121.3 Crimes Per 1000 People
Known for its role in Lincolnshire’s arts and culture scene, Sleaford reports a crime rate of 121.3 crimes per 1000 residents. The town’s main issues include violent crime (785 offenses), antisocial behavior (415 offenses), and shoplifting (243 offenses).
13. Nottingham
Overall Crime Rate Of 126.5 Crimes Per 1000 People
Nottingham, the major city of Nottinghamshire and legendary home of Robin Hood, reports a crime rate of 126.5 crimes per 1000 residents. The city faces high rates of theft (14,008 offenses), violent crime (13,401 offenses), and criminal damage (3,843 offenses).
12. Leicester
Overall Crime Rate Of 126.6 Crimes Per 1000 People
Leicester, a rapidly growing city known for its cultural diversity and sports, reports a crime rate of 126.6 crimes per 1000 residents. The city sees high numbers in violent crime (17,290 incidents), theft (12,416 incidents), and public order offenses (5,992 incidents).
11. Heanor
Overall Crime Rate Of 127.5 Crimes Per 1000 People
Despite its rural setting, Heanor reports a crime rate of 127.5 crimes per 1000 residents. The town faces significant issues with violent crime (705 offenses), antisocial behavior (555 offenses), and criminal damage (218 offenses).
10. Shirebrook
Overall Crime Rate: 128.2 Crimes Per 1000 People
Shirebrook, despite its enchanting name and recent regeneration efforts in Derbyshire, ranks among the East Midlands’ most dangerous areas. The town reports 128.2 crimes per 1000 residents. A closer look at the statistics reveals high numbers in several categories:
- Violent crime: 641 offences
- Antisocial behaviour: 286 offences
- Criminal damage: 121 offences
9. Lincoln
Overall Crime Rate: 130 Crimes Per 1000 People
Lincoln, one of the East Midlands’ most renowned cities, secures the ninth position on our list. The cathedral city’s overall crime rate of 130 crimes per 1000 residents only partly conveys the situation. Specific crime categories show concerning figures:
- Violent crime: 4,944 offences
- Theft: 4,428 offences
- Criminal damage: 1,347 offences
8. Scunthorpe
Overall Crime Rate: 134.6 Crimes Per 1000 People
Scunthorpe, known for its sporting legacy, faces increasing challenges. With a shrinking market and rising crime rates, the town now reports 134.6 crimes per 1000 residents. Notable concerns include:
- Violent crime: 4,123 incidents
- Antisocial behaviour: 1,089 incidents
- Shoplifting: 754 incidents
7. Newark-on-Trent
Overall Crime Rate: 135.8 Crimes Per 1000 People
Newark-on-Trent, once highlighted in a 2020 quality of life survey as highly desirable, now ranks among the East Midlands’ most dangerous areas. The market town reports 135.8 crimes per 1000 residents. Key areas of concern include:
- Violent crimes: 1,250 offences
- Shoplifting: 740 offences
- Antisocial behaviour: 627 offences
6. Cleethorpes
Overall Crime Rate: 137.5 Crimes Per 1000 People
Cleethorpes, a coastal retreat in the northern reaches of the East Midlands, reports a crime rate of 137.5 per 1000 residents. This statistic overshadows the town’s sentimental value. Specific areas of concern include:
- Violent crime: 1,891 incidents
- Public order offences: 426 incidents
- Criminal damage: 411 incidents
5. Ilkeston
Overall Crime Rate: 147 Crimes Per 1000 People
Ilkeston, often praised for its beauty and desirability, struggles with a high crime rate of 147 per 1000 residents. This reputation stems from several factors:
- Violent crime: 1,950 incidents
- Antisocial behaviour: 920 incidents
- Criminal damage: 416 incidents
4. Sutton-in-Ashfield
Overall Crime Rate: 150.7 Crimes Per 1000 People
Sutton-in-Ashfield, known for its numerous churches and religious buildings, faces significant challenges with criminal activity. The town’s crime rate stands at 150.7 crimes per 1000 residents. Violent crime leads the statistics with 1,857 offences, followed by antisocial behaviour (748 offences) and shoplifting (629 offences). These figures represent only a portion of the safety concerns in this market town.
3. Grimsby
Overall Crime Rate: 175.9 Crimes Per 1000 People
Grimsby, one of the country’s most recognizable port towns, ranks among the most dangerous places in the East Midlands. Its overall crime rate of 175.9 crimes per 1000 residents paints a troubling picture. The town grapples with high numbers of violent crimes (5,030 incidents), criminal damage offences (1,321 incidents), and public order offences (1,232 incidents), contributing to its challenging safety situation.
2. Gainsborough
Overall Crime Rate: 188.9 Crimes Per 1000 People
Gainsborough, known primarily as one of England’s furthest-inland ports, is developing a concerning reputation for its crime issues. The town’s overall crime rate sits at an alarming 188.9 crimes per 1000 residents. Violent crime tops the list with 1,322 offences, followed by antisocial behaviour (653 offences) and shoplifting (513 offences). These statistics highlight the range of safety concerns facing Gainsborough’s residents.
1. Skegness
Overall Crime Rate: 212.4 Crimes Per 1000 People
Skegness, the iconic seaside getaway, currently holds the unfortunate title of the most dangerous area in the East Midlands. Its overall crime rate of 212.4 crimes per 1000 residents also places it among the most hazardous areas in the UK. This statistic serves as a significant warning for those considering a coastal escape.
A closer look at the crime data reveals widespread issues. Violent crimes lead with 1,596 incidents, followed by antisocial behaviour (899 incidents), shoplifting (386 incidents), and criminal damage (323 incidents). These figures underscore the serious safety concerns facing both residents and visitors to Skegness.
Key Crime Trends in the East Midlands
Despite the concerns about dangerous areas in the East Midlands, recent crime data reveals some positive developments. Overall criminal activity in the region has decreased by 1%, with 413,572 offences recorded in 2023 compared to 416,429 in 2022.
Several crime categories saw notable reductions:
- Bicycle theft fell by 12% (4,787 offences, down from 5,429)
- Criminal damage decreased by 7% (41,374 incidents, down from 44,273)
- Public order offences reduced by 6% (40,013 incidents, down from 42,357)
- Burglary declined by 4% (19,837 incidents, down from 20,762)
However, the region faces challenges in other areas:
- Shoplifting saw a significant 34% increase, rising from 28,575 offences in 2022 to 38,325 in 2023
- Drug crimes increased by 7% (13,641 offences, up from 12,570)
- Weapon possession rose by 6% (5,021 offences, up from 4,742)
- Robbery climbed by 5% (3,827 offences, up from 3,683)
These statistics highlight both improvements and ongoing concerns in the East Midlands’ crime landscape. The rise in shoplifting, drug-related crimes, weapon possession, and robbery suggest areas that may require focused attention from law enforcement and community initiatives in the coming years.
The Truth About Weapons Offences In The East Midlands
\The most dangerous areas of the East Midlands show contrasting trends in weapon possession. Knife crime statistics reveal a positive direction, with the total number of offences decreasing by 3%. In 2023, there were 3,394 knife-related incidents, down from 3,495 in the previous year.
Gun crime, however, presents a concerning increase of 9%. The year 2023 saw 558 gun-related offences, which is 44 more than the 514 recorded in 2022. This rise is significant, considering that approximately 1 in every 11 gun crime incidents across the UK occurs in the East Midlands.
These figures highlight the complex nature of weapons offences in the region. While efforts to reduce knife crime appear to be yielding results, the increase in gun-related incidents calls for heightened attention and targeted strategies from law enforcement and community leaders.
The disparity between knife and gun crime trends underscores the need for tailored approaches to combat different types of weapons offences. It also emphasizes the importance of continued vigilance and community engagement in addressing these serious issues affecting public safety in the East Midlands.
Our Methodology at ZAM FM Ltd
To maintain transparency and objectivity in our crime statistics reporting, we source our data directly from the UK Police Data repository. We then combine this information with the latest ONS Census data. This approach allows us to present crime rates as the number of crimes per 1,000 residents in a given area.
Presenting our data in this format serves two key purposes:
- It makes the information more accessible and understandable for our readers.
- It accounts for important variables such as population and area size, preventing the presentation of misleading information.
This method ensures that our analysis provides a fair and accurate representation of crime rates across different regions, regardless of their size or population density. By using standardized data sources and calculation methods, we aim to offer reliable insights into the safety levels of various areas in the East Midlands.