These areas are the most dangerous across England and Wales but one city takes top spot on the list. Official police data shows that there was more violence in Leeds city centre last year than in any other part of the country. West Yorkshire Police recorded a total of 3,540 violent crimes and sexual offences during 2024 in the busy city centre. 

That’s the equivalent of 10 people being attacked, raped or sexually assaulted every day in 2024. Of those cases, 310 were detected. This means a suspect was charged with an offence, received a caution, or a local resolution was put in place.

The figures may include some crime reports which were later reclassified or cancelled.

Leeds has one of the busiest city centres in England and Wales - and all the most violent parts of the country are city or town centres where large numbers of people go to visit nightclubs, bars and restaurants.

After Leeds, Newcastle city centre was the next most dangerous place to visit, with 3,012 violent and sexual crimes in 2024, or the equivalent of eight attacks each day. Of those crimes, 10% (289) were detected.

Strand, St James & Mayfair in Westminster was third highest with 2,786 crimes, of which 9% were detected (246), then North Laine & the Lanes in Brighton with 2,495 crimes and a 10% detection rate (247), and Central & Islington in Liverpool with 2,490 crimes and a 9% detection rate (217).

It shows that while city and town centres may be attractive places to visit for their vibrant nightlife and busy shopping districts, they also carry a risk.

But our crime map also reveals how likely violent crime is away from metropolitan areas, in more residential neighbourhoods.

For example, police recorded 1,270 violent crimes in Bridgwater Town, a historic market town in picturesque Somerset, and 762 offences in Denton Holme & Harraby Green, in Cumbria.

Our crime map records around 1.8 million reported offences. Of those, 136,000 (8%) were detected.

The map also reveals the neighbourhoods where police are completely failing to bring violent offenders to justice.

There are seven neighbourhoods where more than 100 violent offences were committed, and not a single suspect has been charged, cautioned or dealt with via a local resolution.

Northumbria Police recorded 136 violent offences in the Stocksfield, Riding Mill & Corbridge and a detection rate of zero over the entire year.

The other neighbourhoods are: Hindhead, Beacon Hill & Frensham in Waverley (114 crimes), Hampstead Town, Camden (113), Orchard Hill, Woodcote Green & Clockhouse, Sutton (111), Osbaldwick, York (110), Hagley, Bromsgrove (106), and Andover Charlton & Bourne Valley, Test Valley (103).

In all of these areas there was a zero detection rate - which is counted as when no suspects were charged, cautioned or made the subject of a local resolution for any of the offences in 2024.

Figures are available for every one of more than 7,000 neighbourhoods in England and Wales apart from areas covered by Greater Manchester Police, as the force has not supplied crime data for last year. 

Crime figures are available for neighbourhoods of between 7,000-10,000 residents, which are designated as Middle Super Output Areas (MSOAs) by the government.

The statistics do not include crimes committed at train stations as they are recorded by British Transport Police.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “A significant proportion of this area covers the city’s night-time economy venues which not only attract a considerably higher footfall but also a higher likelihood of these type of offences.

“We work closely with our partner agencies and licensees to keep people safe in the city centre and have a specific operation in place every weekend to target increased resources into the area.

“We also maintain a specific focus on working to prevent violence against women and girls.

“We have our own intelligence specialists who analyse in detail where offences are occurring and identify any patterns so we can put longer-term problem-solving work in place. Tackling violence against women and girls remains a force-wide priority.

“A recent operation carried out alongside licensing officers in Leeds, included city centre venues, and involved plain-clothed officers testing the preparedness of bar and security staff at licensed premises when faced with a range of scenarios involving women’s safety.

“The tests found that the overwhelming majority had effective protocols in place to immediately safeguard victims and remove perpetrators from the venue. Venues that weren’t as successful received advice and further support.”

You can see how it compares to where you live using our interactive map.