Blackpool has been identified as one of the most dangerous places in England and Wales, with a crime rate of 156 offences per 1,000 residents, according to new data. The resort town ranks fourth overall, behind Westminster, Camden, and Middlesbrough, which has the highest crime rate outside London at 162 per 1,000 residents.
Nationally, non-fraud offences fell by 2% to 5.3 million in 2024, but several areas saw sharp increases. Devon and Cornwall recorded a 17% rise, with Exeter experiencing a 29% surge to over 13,000 crimes. Avon and Somerset Constabulary attributed the uptick to improved reporting and public confidence.
Violent crime remains a concern, with knife offences up 2% to nearly 55,000, though firearm crimes dropped 20%. Domestic abuse affected an estimated 2 million adults, while 1 million suffered sexual assault. Fraud surged 33% across England and Wales.
Despite localised rises, overall crime rates have declined over the past decade, with Derbyshire Dales seeing a 21% reduction. The data highlights regional disparities, with tourist-heavy areas like Westminster and Camden showing inflated rates due to visitor numbers.
