What country in the UK has the lowest crime rate?

Northern Ireland consistently records the lowest crime rate among the UK nations, with approximately 36 crimes per 1,000 people, according to late 2025/early 2026 data. While Wales is frequently cited as the most peaceful UK nation, Northern Ireland generally experiences fewer recorded offences overall compared to England, Wales, and Scotland.

Where in the UK has the least crime?

The safest places to live in the UK

1. The Shetland Islands. The Shetland Islands lie roughly 110 miles off of Scotland's north east coastline, and are only around 140 miles west of Norway. ...
2. North Yorkshire. ...
3. Devon and Cornwall. ...
4. Aberdeen City. ...
5. Wiltshire. ...
6. Surrey. ...
7. West Mercia. ...
8. Gloucestershire.

What is the most peaceful country in the UK?

The report finds Wales as "easily" the most peaceful of the nations of the UK. In terms of other categories of crimes, public disorder offenses fell by 29%, while weapons crimes fell by 34%.

Which country in the UK has the highest crime rate?

UK Crime Rates, Nov 2025. Updated 06 Jan 2026

Among England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the country with the highest crime rate is Wales, with 70 crime reports per 1,000 people. Crime rates represent crimes reported during the 12 months ending November 2025.

Where is the most peaceful place to live in the UK?

The most peaceful places in England

• Peterborough.
• South Gloucestershire.
• Bromley.
• St. Helens.
• Wokingham.
• Shropshire.
• Wigan.
• Cheshire West and Chester.

The Most Dangerous Place In Britain: “You Can Get Stabbed Walking Anywhere”

Is the UK safer than Europe?

Crime in Europe

If we look a little closer to home for some sort of perspective as to how bad crime is in the UK, we see that Numbeo's data places us 8th out of 39 in theirEuropean Crime Index. We're fractionally above Belgium and just behind Bosnia and Ireland.

What are the roughest areas of the UK?

The "roughest" areas in the UK, often defined by high crime, deprivation, and social challenges, include Blackpool (high violent crime), Camden & Westminster in London (high overall crime rates), Lambeth & Hackney (deprivation, violence), and cities like Liverpool & Leicester (deprivation, health issues). Specific estates, like London's Aylesbury Estate, are also noted for notoriety, though "rough" can mean different things, from violent crime to economic hardship. 

What is the no. 1 safest country?

Iceland is consistently ranked as the safest country in the world, holding the top spot on the Global Peace Index (GPI) for many years, including 2024 and 2025, due to its low crime, lack of military, political stability, and strong community focus. Other top contenders often include Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, and Denmark, depending on the specific report's criteria, with Singapore also ranking highly for personal safety.

What parts of the UK are safe?

These top 20 safest places to live in UK offer exceptional safety with low crime rates and strong communities.

• York. ...
• Edinburgh. ...
• Bath. ...
• Cambridge. ...
• Brighton. ...
• Exeter. ...
• Plymouth. ...
• Norwich.

Which UK city has the best quality of life?

According to our survey, these are the cities that ranked highest when it came to the overall happiness of their residents.

• Cardiff.
• Plymouth.
• Norwich.
• London.
• Liverpool.
• Birmingham.
• Bristol.
• Southampton.

Where is crime most common in the UK?

The highest crime rates in the UK are often found in central London boroughs like Westminster and Camden, and certain northern cities such as Middlesbrough, due to high levels of theft and public order offenses, with police force areas like Cleveland also showing high overall rates. However, these figures can be skewed by tourist footfall (Westminster) or reflect specific crime types, like violent crime (Blackpool), making local data crucial.

What is the world's safest city?

Abu Dhabi has ranked first on the world's safest cities list in 2026, the 10th consecutive year it has topped the list compiled by online database Numbeo, reflecting the emirate's global leadership in promoting security, stability, and quality of life.

What UK city has the most stabbings?

London. The capital remains the city with most stabbings UK authorities have recorded, and by a wide margin. With 188 knife crimes per 100,000 people, London continues to face significant challenges despite major police initiatives.

What is the poorest area in the UK?

The poorest place in the UK, based on official English Indices of Deprivation (IMD) data, is often cited as Jaywick, a coastal village in Essex, frequently topping the list for overall deprivation due to issues like low income, unemployment, poor housing, and crime. However, areas like Blackpool, Middlesbrough, Hull, and parts of London (Hackney, Tower Hamlets) also consistently rank highly for deprivation, especially concerning child poverty.
 

Where to avoid in London at night?

That said, across recent years (patterns visible in Met and ONS dashboards) the highest volumes of theft and street-theft reports tend to be concentrated in central shopping and nightlife boroughs — notably Westminster (West End, Oxford Street, Leicester Square), Camden (markets, busy streets), Lambeth (parts of ...

Why are so many Brits leaving the UK?

Brits are leaving the UK due to a combination of factors, primarily driven by young professionals seeking better economic prospects, a higher quality of life, and lower living costs, with destinations like the UAE, Australia, and the US offering higher salaries (often tax-free), better work-life balance, and warmer climates, contrasting with the UK's rising cost of living, stagnant wages, housing crises, and tax burdens.
 

Which is safer, Spain or England?

Spanish cities: consistently safe

The national average Crime Index is just 35.8, putting Spain ahead of other popular destinations such as Italy (48.0), France (55.4), Portugal (40.0), and well below the UK (47.3) and Germany (38.0).

What is the most peaceful country in the world?

Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world in 2021, a position it has held since 2008.

Where is the prettiest place to live in the UK?

Britain's 10 most beautiful places to live

• Ambleside, Lake District. ...
• Broadstairs, Kent. ...
• Lymington, Hampshire. ...
• Alnwick, Northumberland. ...
• York, North Yorkshire. ...
• Wells, Somerset. ...
• Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. ...
• Keswick, Cumbria. This Lake District village is situated between the Skiddaw Mountains and Derwentwater Lake.

Is healthcare free in the UK?

Anyone legally residing in the United Kingdom is entitled to free NHS healthcare. You do not have to be a British citizen or employed to be part of the system – though you may pay an immigration health surcharge. Some foreigners and visitors in the U.K. can receive some treatment.

What is the most unaffordable town in the UK?

Beaconsfield, in Buckinghamshire was identified as the least affordable town, with an average house price of more than £1 million – costing more than 15 times average household earnings. Postal towns with 5,000 homes or more were analysed.