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Triton Security
Triton Security, North Wing, Thorp Arch Grange, Walton Road, Thorp Arch, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7BA
Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK after London and is often referred to as the ‘second city’. Birmingham has a population of over 1.1 million people and is famous for its iconic major shopping area, called the Bull Ring, for being the first manufacturing town in the world, and as the location of the first working steam train.
Culturally the city is endeared due to the distinctive ‘Brummie’ accent and most recently as the setting for cult hit tv show The Peaky Blinders, which focuses on a historic gangster family. Unfortunately, in real life Birmingham has a reputation for having high crime rates, in this article we’re looking at the figures and investigating which are the most dangerous parts of this important city.
According to Plumplot, in the 2023/24 reporting year, there were 328,180 recorded crimes in Birmingham, equating to 111.1 crimes per 1,000 people. This is a decrease from the 367,206 incidents (125.9 per 1,000 people) reported the previous year. This marks a significant improvement compared to the peak in 2021/22 when crime rates spiked to 361,649, following a sharp increase from 269,988 in 2020/21. These figures reflect fluctuating crime trends over the past decade, showing a notable reduction in the past 12 months.
To understand the scope of crime in Birmingham, it’s important to look at the most prevalent types of offenses that residents face.
Here is a list of the most prevalent crimes in Birmingham between July 2023 and June 2024 (Plumplot.co.uk):
| Violent Crime | 39.7% of all crimes, with 93.0k incidents, a decrease of 11.4% from the previous year. |
| Vehicle Crime | 9.4% of all crimes, with 22.0k incidents, down 11.8%. |
| Antisocial Behaviour | 7.8% of all crimes, with 18.3k incidents, an increase of 12.3%. |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 7.2% of all crimes, with 16.9k incidents, down 8.1%. |
| Shoplifting | 7.1% of all crimes, with 16.6k incidents, up 24.4%. |
The figures indicate that violent crime remains the most prevalent issue in Birmingham, accounting for nearly 40% of all crimes, though it has seen a slight decline. Vehicle crime is also significant but has decreased, while antisocial behaviour and shoplifting have risen, with shoplifting showing a notable increase of over 24%. Criminal damage and arson also remain concerns, though these have slightly decreased. Overall, the data reflects a mix of declining and rising crime trends in the city.
Certain areas in Birmingham are known for having particularly high crime rates. According to figures from West Midlands Police (2023) here are the top five most likely places to experience crime in the city.
1 – Birmingham City Centre: Despite being a cosmopolitan area famed for its fantastic retail, food and leisure opportunities, Birmingham City Centre has a dark side with some of the highest crime figures in the country – 349.9 crimes per 1,000 people.
2 – Bordesley Green: An inner suburb of Birmingham, Bordesley Green is a popular transport link into Birmingham Centre. The area hosts affordable housing and many local businesses making it a popular place to live and work. Although on the downside the crime rate is shockingly high – 290.1 crimes per 1,000 people
3 – Aston & Newtown: To the North of the City Centre and known for its connection to Aston Villa Football Club and as the birthplace of legendary rock band Black Sabbath. Despite these cultural accolades the area has a startlingly high crime rate: 241.4 crimes per 1,000 people
4 – North Edgbaston: It’s surprising to find this affluent suburb on a list of the highest crime rates in Birmingham. It might be home to iconic attractions such as Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Edgbaston Cricket Ground but that doesn’t stop it from suffering particularly from high levels of violent crime and vehicle crimes – 218.1 crimes per 1,000 people
5 – Stockland Green & Gravelly Hill: From industrial sites to the famous spaghetti junction this area is a thriving business hub but also struggles with high levels of crime – 214.2 crimes per 1,000 people
As of 2024, Birmingham’s crime rate is 35% higher than the West Midlands average and 57% higher than the overall figure for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (Crimerate.co.uk).
According to data from Numbeo.com, which gathers insights through surveys conducted by website visitors, Birmingham has a crime index of 63.3, which is considered high. The main concerns for residents in Birmingham include drug-related activities, property crimes like vandalism and theft, and violent crimes such as assault, mugging, and armed robbery.
When comparing Birmingham to other major UK cities, the crime index scores are as follows:
This comparison highlights that Birmingham tops the list, reflecting higher concerns about crime among its residents compared to these other cities.
When comparing Birmingham’s crime index of 63.3 to other major European cities of similar size and industrial structure, it becomes evident that Birmingham has a higher perceived crime rate.
While Birmingham may still have one of the highest crime rates in the UK, the city is showing encouraging signs of improvement. As crime rates continue to decline, make sure your business remains secure. Contact us today for a customised security solution and a free, no-obligation quote.
