Most dangerous town in England and Wales with the highest crime rate in the country

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal that there has been no overall rise in crime across England and Wales over the past 12 months. Many serious and property-related offences dropped in the year to March 2026, while the overall level of crime, as measured by the Crime Survey, remained largely stable.

However, fraud continues to be a major concern, and reports of anti-social behaviour have gone up. The ONS estimated that 40.9% of people experienced or witnessed some form of anti-social behaviour, up from 35.5% the previous year, although changes to the survey questions played a part in this increase.

But a former industrial town currently undergoing regeneration has been named the most dangerous place to live in England and Wales.

The latest figures from the Home Office have revealed that Middlesbrough now has the highest crime rate in the country, excluding central London.

It has overtaken Blackpool as the most dangerous town in which to live. Last December, Blackpool held the top spot, but by July 2026, the seaside resort had seen a 4% drop in crime while Middlesbrough recorded a 1% rise, pushing it to the top of the table.

Middlesbrough has recorded a crime rate of 150 per 1,000 over the past year.

The North Eastern town has a population of around 156,000, according to the latest census in 2024. The town faces a number of challenges, including: According to Middlesbrough Council, levels of crime vary considerably between different neighbourhoods across the area.

Based on the 2025 deprivation data, Middlesbrough ranked fourth amongst English local authorities for crime deprivation, with 54.4% of its neighbourhoods falling within the most deprived 10% nationally.

The measure encompasses offences such as violence, burglary, theft, criminal damage, public-order offences, weapons offences and anti-social behaviour.

The town centre has also been a particular focal point for efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour and retail crime. In June 2026, Middlesbrough Council announced a multi-million-pound programme involving increased policing, additional CCTV and support for vulnerable individuals.

Despite recording a 4% reduction in crime, Blackpool holds onto second place for the highest crime rate in the country, with 146 offences per 1,000 residents.

Manchester takes third place with a rate of 143 crimes per 1,000 residents, followed by Hartlepool (134) and Bristol (131). The statistics rank the capital city of London separately from other regions.

Overall, London has a crime rate of 102 offences per 1,000 people, though these figures are distorted by tourist-heavy areas, which inflate the data as opportunistic criminals target unsuspecting victims for pickpocketing. For example, in Westminster, one of London's most popular tourist destinations, the crime rate sits at a staggering 355 crimes per 1,000 residents - significantly higher than anywhere else in the country.