Security and peace of mind are fundamental when selecting a place to live or establish a business. This holds especially true for those planning major life events such as starting a family or entering retirement. While personal and community safety measures contribute significantly to creating a secure environment, some regions inherently offer greater safety than others.
At Churchill Support Services, we pride ourselves on providing clear and unbiased insights into crime statistics across the UK. In our previous reports, we’ve covered the regions with the highest crime rates in England, Wales, and Scotland. Now, we turn our attention to the safer side of the spectrum.
In our upcoming guide, we’ll highlight the 25 safest areas to live and work in the UK, presenting the key statistics and trends that contribute to their safety rankings. Join us as we delve into the details that make these areas stand out and discuss potential changes in their safety status as we move through 2024 and into the future.
How Safe Is The UK As A Whole?
The UK presents itself as a compact yet influential nation on the global stage, contributing significantly to international economy, policy, and societal changes. Despite its small size, the UK’s cultural and historical depth creates a vibrant mosaic of life and communities. The nation’s geography spans from rugged mountain ranges to highly modernized urban centers, showcasing a stark contrast between natural beauty and urban development.
The diversity of the UK is reflected in its crime statistics as well, with a rate of 68.3 crimes per 1000 residents indicating a mix of safer and more dangerous areas. The predominant concerns across the country include a persistent yet stable incidence of violent crimes, theft, and antisocial behavior, with respective offences tallying at 2.15 million, 1.32 million, and 1.05 million in 2023.
While the UK encompasses regions with varying levels of safety, the safer areas demonstrate significantly lower crime rates. The following sections will examine these areas more closely, highlighting how their safety measures and community initiatives contribute to their lower crime statistics.
Ranked: The 25 Safest Places In The UK For 2024
We’ll outline the UK’s 25 safest areas, providing key statistics vital for those considering these locales for their next move.
25. West Lancashire
Overall Crime Rate: 46.1 Crimes Per 1000 People
West Lancashire offers a tranquil lifestyle with its vast farmlands, marshes, and nature reserves, transitioning into the bustling towns of Ormskirk and Skelmersdale. The area’s low crime rate of 46.1 per 1000 residents makes it a prime choice for safety. In 2023, West Lancashire reported a total of 5,506 crimes, showing a notable decrease in violent crimes, thefts, and criminal damage.
24. North Hertfordshire
Overall Crime Rate: 46.1 Crimes Per 1000 People
North Hertfordshire captivates with its historical charm and stunning landscapes, including fields of lavender and wildflowers. Its crime rate matches West Lancashire at 46.1 crimes per 1000 residents. Notable are the lower rates of violent crime, criminal damage, and particularly low shoplifting incidents, making it a serene place to reside.
23. South Oxfordshire
Overall Crime Rate: 45.7 Crimes Per 1000 People
Characterized by its affluence and scenic beauty, South Oxfordshire’s crime rate stands at 45.7 crimes per 1000 residents. The region, enriched by the River Thames and its estuaries, saw a majority of its 6,940 criminal offenses in 2023 as violent crimes, yet theft and public order offenses remained well below national levels.
22. Powys
Overall Crime Rate: 45.6 Crimes Per 1000 People
As the only Welsh region on the list, Powys is noted for its sparse population and idyllic landscapes. The crime rate here has decreased to 45.6 per 1000 people, with significant drops in violent crime, theft, and public order offenses, reflecting its status as a “Paradise of Wales.”
21. South Norfolk
Overall Crime Rate: 44.8 Crimes Per 1000 People
South Norfolk is synonymous with the Norfolk Broads and the serene landscapes of marshes and moorlands. The area also includes the affluent market parish of Wymondham, maintaining a low crime rate of 44.8 per 1000 residents. Crime statistics from 2023 show a 6% decrease, with declines noted in violent crimes, theft, and criminal damage.
20. Waverley
Overall Crime Rate: 43.7 Crimes Per 1000 People
Positioned in the southwestern corner of Surrey, Waverley is famous for its historic abbey and the scenic Surrey Hills. The towns of Farnham and Haslemere add modern flair to the region, which boasts a crime rate of 43.7 crimes per 1000 residents. The area saw reductions in violent crime, theft, and vehicle crimes in 2023, enhancing its appeal as a safe place to live.
19. Wealden
Overall Crime Rate: 42.5 Crimes Per 1000 People
Wealden, known for its expansive forestlands and scenic countryside, reports a crime rate of 42.5 per 1000 people. Despite its natural beauty, the area has seen an 11% increase in crime over the past year. The majority of these are violent crimes, with theft and criminal damage also being significant.
18. Rutland
Overall Crime Rate: 42.5 Crimes Per 1000 People
Rutland epitomizes the picturesque English countryside, complete with rolling hills and quaint villages. It boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the country at 42.5 per 1000 people. A sparse population helps maintain low crime numbers, with significant reductions in violent crimes and theft contributing to a 9% drop in overall crime rates from the previous year.
17. Highland
Overall Crime Rate: 42.4 Crimes Per 1000 People
The Scottish Highlands, including Inverness, offer a safer environment compared to much of the UK, with a crime rate of 42.4 per 1000 people. The area, known for its stunning vistas, still faces challenges with dishonesty and antisocial behavior making up a considerable portion of its total 10,094 crimes in 2023.
16. North Kesteven
Overall Crime Rate: 42.4 Crimes Per 1000 People
As one of the greenest regions in the UK, North Kesteven offers a tranquil rural setting near the city of Lincoln. The area maintains a steady low crime rate of 42.4 per 1000 people, with no increase from the previous year. It continues to have some of the lowest rates of violent crime, theft, and shoplifting in the UK.
15. East Lothian
Overall Crime Rate: 41.9 Crimes Per 1000 People
East Lothian attracts many with its rural charm and beautiful coastline along the Firth of Forth. With a crime rate of 41.9 per 1000 people, it stands out as a particularly safe area, though it has experienced a slight 4% increase in crime rates since 2022. Despite this, it remains a region with low incidents of dishonesty and violent crimes.
14. Moray
Overall Crime Rate: 41 Crimes Per 1000 People
Moray is renowned for its picturesque Firth and its relatively secluded location in northeastern Scotland, housing around 96,410 people. Its remote setting and captivating landscapes contribute to one of the lowest crime rates in the UK, at 41 crimes per 1000 people. The majority of incidents occur in the principal town of Elgin but are minimal compared to the rest of Scotland. Notably, despite the low rates in most categories, drug-related crimes remain a concern, with 331 reported incidents in 2023.
13. Broadland
Overall Crime Rate: 40.3 Crimes Per 1000 People
Broadland, named for the nearby scenic Broads, maintains a reputation as one of England’s safest regions, with a crime rate of just 40.3 per 1000 people. The area is celebrated for its serenity and the numbers reflect this, showing reduced incidents of violent crimes, theft, and criminal damage. A notable 12% decline in crime rates since last year aligns with trends across the larger Norfolk region.
12. Angus
Overall Crime Rate: 39.9 Crimes Per 1000 People
Angus is famous not only for its premium cattle but also for its compelling landscape, which includes the Grampian Mountains and coastal towns like Arbroath and Montrose. The crime rate here stands at 39.9 per 1000 people, with low numbers in dishonesty and violent crimes. However, the area sees a higher number of road traffic offences, advising caution for those navigating its roads.
11. Stirling
Overall Crime Rate: 39.4 Crimes Per 1000 People
Located at Scotland’s heart, Stirling combines urban living with vast rural expanses, contributing to a low crime rate of 39.4 per 1000 people. This figure marks a significant improvement from the previous year, reflecting a reduction in road traffic offences and dishonesty-related crimes, common concerns across Scotland.
10. The Scottish Borders
Overall Crime Rate: 39.3 Crimes Per 1000 People
This area serves as a transition from the urban settings of England to the untamed landscapes of Scotland, characterized by its rugged coastal lines and scenic beauty. With a crime rate of 39.3 per 1000 residents, it’s one of the UK’s safest regions. The majority of crimes occur in larger towns like Galashiels and Hawick, but even these places have seen a near 7% reduction in crime rates over the past year, particularly in dishonesty and violent crimes.
9. Perth & Kinross
Overall Crime Rate: 38.4 Crimes per 1,000 People
Centered around Perth, its administrative heart, Perth and Kinross marries tourism in the north with agriculture and industry in the south. This mix contributes to a low crime rate of 38.4 per 1,000 people, placing it among the top ten safest areas. Notably, it features one of Scotland’s lowest rates of drug offences at 333 incidents, alongside modest rates of crimes of dishonesty and violent crimes.
8. Ribble Valley
Overall Crime Rate: 37.1 Crimes per 1,000 People
Ribble Valley, largely covered by the Forest of Bowland, enjoys a reputation as England’s safest area, with a crime rate of just 37.1 per 1,000 people. This figure has decreased significantly, with a reduction in violent crimes, theft, and criminal damage, alongside exceptionally low drug-related crime rates.
7. Argyll & Bute
Overall Crime Rate: 37 Crimes per 1,000 People
Argyll and Bute’s expansive rural landscape, with its peninsulas and islands, maintains a crime rate of just 37 per 1,000 residents. Despite an uptick in road traffic offences, the region shows very low numbers in violent crimes and crimes of dishonesty, affirming its position as one of the safest areas.
6. Eileanan Siar (The Outer Hebrides)
Overall Crime Rate: 30.8 Crimes per 1,000 People
Known in Gaelic as Eileanan Siar, the Outer Hebrides’ sparse population contributes to its low crime rate of 30.8 per 1,000 people. Although crime rates have risen, particularly in Stornoway, increases in violent crime and crimes of dishonesty are notable yet remain low compared to other regions.
5. Aberdeenshire
Overall Crime Rate: 30.6 Crimes per 1,000 People
Aberdeenshire, surrounding the city of Aberdeen, boasts a low crime rate of 30.6 per 1,000 residents, with decreasing trends in key crime categories such as road traffic offences and violent crimes. This reflects the area’s continuing safety, supported by its smaller communities and scenic surroundings.
4. Shetland Islands
Overall Crime Rate: 27.8 Crimes Per 1000 People
Situated far from the UK mainland, the Shetland Islands possess a distinct character closer to Scandinavian influences than to those of the British Isles. The remote nature of the Shetland Islands is mirrored in its crime statistics—only 27.8 crimes per 1000 people. Despite a notable increase of over 40% in crime rates since 2022, the islands maintain a low incidence of road traffic offences and crimes of dishonesty, reinforcing their status as one of the UK’s safest regions.
3. East Dunbartonshire
Overall Crime Rate: 25.4 Crimes Per 1000 People
East Dunbartonshire is known for its wealth and pricey properties, especially in areas like Bearsden and Bishopbriggs. With a crime rate of just 25.4 crimes per 1000 people, it stands as a testament to safety. The region has witnessed a decrease in crime by 3% since last year, with reductions in dishonesty, road traffic, and violent crime, maintaining its position as a safe choice for residents.
2. East Renfrewshire
Overall Crime Rate: 23.8 Crimes Per 1000 People
East Renfrewshire, though small, offers stunning vistas that combine Glasgow’s urban fringe with serene moorlands. The area enjoys a crime rate of 23.8 per 1000, marking it as the second safest in the UK. Even as overall crime has slightly increased by 5%, the reductions in road traffic offences and violent crimes are noteworthy.
1. Orkney Islands
Overall Crime Rate: 22.8 Crimes Per 1000 People
The Orkney Islands are recognized as the pinnacle of safety in the UK, with an overall crime rate of 22.8 per 1000 people. These islands, comprising over 70 islets with 20 inhabited, are celebrated for their tranquil environment. Despite this, recent statistics show a 39% increase in crime rates since 2022, including a significant rise in road traffic offences. This may influence future safety rankings as we advance into 2024.
How We Sourced Our Data On The UK’s Safest Areas
Our commitment to accuracy and transparency guides our data collection process. We source our data from the most current governmental records for England, Wales, and Scotland. This includes detailed crime reports from the Scottish Government Data Repository and the UK Government, segmented by Community Safety Partnerships.
We enhance these official records with independent sources, ensuring our analysis is comprehensive and considers factors like area size and population density. Our findings are presented as a crime ratio per 1,000 inhabitants, providing a clear and useful metric for evaluating the safety of each area.