The North West of England, a region steeped in history and culture, is as varied in its landscapes as it is in its urban offerings. Home to bustling cities like Manchester and Liverpool, the area is also celebrated for its quaint rural villages and dramatic coastlines.
Visitors and residents alike are captivated by the serene beaches of Crosby with its intriguing seaside art, the festive lights of Blackpool, and the charming, old-world streets of villages in Cumbria and Cheshire. These picturesque settings across the North West provide a rich tapestry of experiences that cater to different preferences and lifestyles.
Safety, however, remains a paramount concern for anyone considering a new home or business location. The North West, with its diverse environments from vibrant urban centers to serene rural escapes, offers varying levels of safety. Recognizing the importance of security and peace of mind, we have compiled a list of the 15 safest places in the North West. This guide includes vital statistics and insights to assist you in making a well-informed decision about where to settle down or establish your next venture.
Our Data Sources and Methodology
To ensure transparency and provide a clear basis for our analysis of regional safety, our statistics are derived from the official Police Data repository and augmented by independent sites. We calculate safety by reporting the number of criminal incidents per 1,000 residents, using data from June 2022 to June 2023—the most recent complete dataset.
Our approach includes a comparative analysis, allowing us to normalize factors like town size and population density. For the purposes of this guide, we focus on towns and cities with populations exceeding 20,000 as per the latest census. This threshold helps us focus on more established areas where people are likely to settle or establish businesses.
Considerations for Greater Manchester
Recent technological and reporting challenges within the Greater Manchester Police have led to less reliable crime data for the area, affecting cities like Manchester (including its airport), Bolton, Oldham, Salford, Wigan, and Rochdale. Although the existing government data has been utilized and extrapolated to bridge information gaps, discrepancies remain.
It’s crucial to be aware of these issues when evaluating the safety of Greater Manchester. Despite these cities not featuring in our list of the top 15 safest places, the quality of data significantly influences their safety assessments and could be a consideration for those looking to relocate or start a business.
How Safe Is The North West?
The North West region is a vibrant hub that includes some of the UK’s most frequented cities and attractions, encompassing both bustling metropolises and picturesque seaside towns. This diverse area draws millions of visitors to its cities like Manchester and Liverpool, totaling an impressive 150.5 million visits annually.
This high volume of visitors and residents does lead to significant levels of crime. Across the North West, recent data shows a total of 787,247 reported incidents, which translates to a crime rate of 106.1 offenses per 1,000 inhabitants in the last year.
The region is composed of five distinct areas, each with its own crime dynamics:
- Cheshire reports 86,478 incidents, equating to 78.8 offenses per 1,000 people.
- Cumbria sees 38,531 incidents, or 76.9 offenses per 1,000 people.
- Greater Manchester experiences the highest rate with 369,853 incidents, which means 128.9 offenses per 1,000 people.
- Lancashire has 127,047 incidents, or 82.9 offenses per 1,000 people.
- Merseyside records 165,348 incidents, with a rate of 116.2 offenses per 1,000 people.
Regions near major cities tend to report higher crime rates, with Manchester and Liverpool notably higher than the regional average, recording rates of 180.7 and 140.7 crimes per 1,000 people respectively.
Examining the Safest Areas in the North West
With a clear picture of the overall safety and crime rates across the North West, we can focus on identifying the safest locales within the region. These areas demonstrate significantly lower crime rates compared to their urban counterparts, providing a more secure environment for residents and businesses alike.
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The 15 Safest Areas Of The North West Revealed
A thorough examination of the North West’s safest locales highlights key areas where safety and security are prioritized, making them ideal for families and businesses alike.
15. Warrington
Overall Crime Rate: 80.2 per 1000 Residents
Warrington, a town with a rich heritage in rugby and historical significance from the Industrial Revolution, boasts a diverse cultural scene enriched by sports and the arts. Its crime rate positions it as a secure location in the North West. The town’s proactive security measures manage higher incidences of violent crime and antisocial behavior effectively, maintaining its status as a safe community.
14. Leyland
Overall Crime Rate: 79.3 per 1000 Residents
Leyland, nestled between larger cities, is recognized for its motor museum and its contributions to the transportation industry. This town offers a secure environment, evidenced by its low crime rate. Successful reductions in vehicle crimes and drug offenses reflect Leyland’s effective local safety strategies.
13. Kendal
Overall Crime Rate: 78.9 per 1000 Residents
Bordering the Lake District, Kendal is celebrated for its mint cake and the popular Kendal Calling festival. Despite its popularity, the town maintains a low crime rate with robust measures controlling violent crime and antisocial behavior, making it a preferable choice for safety in the region.
12. Halewood
Overall Crime Rate: 75.9 per 1000 Residents
Undergoing extensive redevelopment, Halewood exemplifies the regeneration of the Merseyside area, combining green spaces with thriving industry. Its significantly lower crime rates are a testament to effective policing and community-focused initiatives.
11. Skelmersdale
Overall Crime Rate: 69 per 1000 Residents
As a key retail center in West Lancashire with a strong military heritage, Skelmersdale boasts a commendable low crime rate. The town is particularly noted for having crime statistics well below the regional average in violent and antisocial behavior, highlighting its safety credentials.
10. Bebington
Overall Crime Rate: 64.5 per 1000 Residents
Located just outside Birkenhead, Bebington enjoys a reputation as one of the most desirable places to live on the Wirral peninsula. Its impressively low crime rate makes it standout in the region, with notable decreases in theft and drug offenses, securing its position as a top safe area in the North West.
9. Rawtenstall
Overall Crime Rate: 60.6 Crimes Per 1000 People
Following significant urban renewal efforts since the early 2000s, Rawtenstall has transformed into a modern town that balances urban convenience with rural charm. Positioned at the meeting point of Lancashire and Yorkshire, the town enjoys a relatively low crime rate. Notable statistics include a minimal number of thefts from individuals and very few bicycle thefts, highlighting its safety in these categories despite higher incidents of violent crime and antisocial behavior.
8. Bamber Bridge
Overall Crime Rate: 56.2 Crimes Per 1000 People
Nestled in the heart of Lancashire, Bamber Bridge is a favorite among commuters due to its excellent motorway access and robust public transport links to nearby Preston. Its community benefits from a low crime rate, particularly in personal theft and other serious offenses, making it a secure choice for residents prioritizing safety in their living and working environment.
7. Thornton-Cleveleys
Overall Crime Rate: 53.5 Crimes Per 1000 People
Thornton-Cleveleys is celebrated for its classic British seaside setting, complete with panoramic views of the Irish Sea and a vibrant local market scene. The town boasts its lowest crime figures in over a decade, including significant reductions in violent crimes and antisocial behavior, enhancing its reputation as a safe and scenic choice for both residents and visitors.
6. Maghull
Overall Crime Rate: 52.7 Crimes Per 1000 People
Maghull, a historic town in Merseyside, offers an attractive living space for those commuting to Liverpool and other areas. The town’s crime rate reflects its peaceful community, with especially low occurrences of personal theft. The local law enforcement’s focus on reducing public order offenses and violent crimes contributes to Maghull’s standing as a notably secure environment.
5. Wilmslow
Overall Crime Rate: 50.6 Crimes Per 1000 People
Located in affluent Cheshire, Wilmslow is an epitome of rural British charm with its country lanes and stunning architecture. Despite a slightly higher occurrence of robberies, the town maintains a lower crime rate in major categories like violent crime and property damage, affirming its position as a tranquil and secure location.
4. Lytham St. Annes
Overall Crime Rate: 50.1 Crimes Per 1000 People
Lytham St. Annes, recognized for its scenic golf courses along the Fylde coastline and vibrant Lowther Pavilion, ranks as a notably serene destination in the North West. The town’s crime rate is remarkably low at 50.1 incidents per 1000 people, marking it as one of the region’s safest locales.
Despite higher occurrences of violent crime and antisocial behavior, these figures are still significantly below regional norms. The area also boasts minimal instances of weapon possession and robbery, reinforcing its status as a secure choice for potential residents and businesses.
3. Formby
Overall Crime Rate: 49.2 Crimes Per 1000 People
Formby is a favored enclave among Liverpool’s affluent, famous for its red squirrel reserve and pristine sandy shores. Its crime rate is among the lowest in the North West at 49.2 per 1000 people, illustrating its widespread allure.
The town shows substantially lower crime rates in all categories compared to county averages, with especially reduced rates in violent crime, antisocial behavior, and public order offenses. The incidence of theft from individuals is also notably low, enhancing its reputation for safety.
2. Penwortham
Overall Crime Rate: 44 Crimes Per 1000 People
In the heart of Lancashire lies Penwortham, a town known for its strong community spirit and commitment to maintaining a quaint lifestyle. With a crime rate of only 44 per 1000 residents, Penwortham is nearly the safest area in the North West.
The town experiences far fewer violent and antisocial behaviors than other parts of Lancashire. The rate of shoplifting is surprisingly low as well, despite a thriving local marketplace.
1. Ormskirk
Overall Crime Rate: 40.2 Crimes Per 1000 People
Ormskirk is the epitome of small-town charm in rural Merseyside, bolstered by its agricultural roots and local industries. It boasts the lowest crime rate in the North West at 40.2 incidents per 1000 residents, making it the top choice for safety in the region.
Crime levels in Ormskirk, including antisocial behavior, violent crime, and criminal damage, are substantially lower than other areas. The town also records a minimal number of robberies, significantly lower than the average across Merseyside.