An industrial town in Yorkshire has surpassed a popular seaside destination as the most unsafe place to reside. Data analyzed by the Mirror reveals that Middlesbrough in North Yorkshire has the highest crime rate in England and Wales, excluding central London and the City of Westminster. Previously, Blackpool in Lancashire held this title in 2025, but its crime rate has since improved.

Recent Home Office statistics indicate an increase in severe types of crimes across England and Wales, including sexual offenses (up by 4%), stalking and harassment (up by 4%), robbery (up by 10%), drug-related crimes (up by 12%), and possession of weapons (up by 8%). Despite these increases, there has been an overall decrease in crime over the past decade. In the year ending March 2026, over five million non-fraud offenses were recorded, marking a 1% decline from the previous year.

While major cities like Birmingham, Leeds, and Manchester see the highest number of offenses due to their large populations, crime rates adjusted for population size offer a more equitable comparison across regions of varying sizes. The latest data, covering the 12 months leading to March 2026, places Middlesbrough at the top spot for crime rates, surpassing Blackpool. Middlesbrough experienced a slight 1% rise in crime, totaling 23,419 offenses, equating to 150 crimes per 1,000 residents.

Despite a decrease in crime, Blackpool maintains the second-highest crime rate in the country, with 146 offenses per 1,000 residents. Following Blackpool are Manchester (143), Hartlepool (134), and Bristol (131). On the other end of the spectrum, Broadland in Norfolk retains its standing as the safest area to live in mainland England and Wales, boasting the lowest crime rate of 35 crimes per 1,000 residents. Explore the crime rates in your area using our interactive map.