A newly published interactive map has laid bare the parts of the United Kingdom suffering from the most severe crime, delivering sobering news for residents of a popular coastal resort. The tool uses 'crime severity' scores to measure the gravity of offending in each area, weighing both the nature and frequency of crimes.
Beyond London: The Surprising National Hotspots
While central London boroughs, where tourist-targeted crime inflates figures, show predictably high scores, the data reveals that Blackpool experiences the most severe crime levels in the country. The famous seaside destination recorded the highest rates of violent crime and sexual offences of any council area nationwide, surpassing even central London.
Over two-thirds of Blackpool's overall severity score of 31.7 stemmed from these serious crime categories. Following Blackpool, Middlesbrough came second with a score of 29.9, also driven by high levels of violence and sexual offending. The top five was completed by Manchester (28.9), Birmingham (27.3), and Bradford (25.8).
London's Picture and the Safest Havens
When London is considered separately, Westminster registered the highest crime severity score at 61.0, with Camden following at 32.4. Analysts note this is chiefly due to the exceptionally high volume of theft offences in these central boroughs, much of it aimed at visitors.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Wiltshire emerged as the safest place to live with the lowest crime severity score of just 6.0. It was closely followed by Wokingham (6.4), Ribble Valley in Lancashire (6.9), Waverley (6.9), and East Hampshire (7.1).
Why Severity Scores Matter More Than Rates
Experts suggest crime severity scores offer a more accurate picture of crime's impact than simple crime rates. While rates measure volume, severity scores differentiate between offence types, influenced by the level of punishment handed to offenders. This means crimes causing significant harm, like murder or rape, carry far more weight than minor offences such as criminal damage.
The national trend shows a concerning rise. When first introduced for the year ending March 2003, England and Wales had an overall score of 15.9. After falling to a low of 9.3 by March 2013, scores have risen almost annually, barring a pandemic dip. They peaked at 16.4 in the year ending March 2023 and currently sit at 16.3.
At a police force level, Cleveland Police has the highest crime severity score of 23.4, ahead of West Yorkshire (22.4) and West Midlands (22.3). Notably, the Metropolitan Police, the country's busiest force by crime volume, has a lower score of 20.4. Officers with North Yorkshire Police have the least challenging beat, with a score of just 9.8.
