Safest Areas in England & Wales 2026

Crime is one of the most important factors for many homebuyers, especially families. The England and Wales average of 81.3 crimes recorded per 1,000 residents per year (Police.uk / ONS, year ending March 2024) varies enormously by area — from fewer than 15 per 1,000 in the most peaceful rural districts to over 200 in city centres.

The figures below are based on Police.uk street-level crime data for all postcode districts, expressed as annual crimes per 1,000 estimated residents. Rural and semi-rural areas consistently rank among the safest; major city centres rank among the highest.

Understanding crime rate figures

Crime rates per 1,000 residents allow fair comparisons across areas of different sizes. However, there are important caveats:

• Footfall vs residents: City centre postcodes have high daytime populations not counted in resident figures, artificially elevating the rate per 1,000 residents. A city centre ranking highly does not mean residents face proportionally more crime than that number suggests.
• Under-reporting: Minor crimes, particularly some forms of anti-social behaviour, are significantly under-reported in some areas. Rural areas may appear safer in part because fewer incidents are formally reported.
• Crime type matters: A high overall rate driven by shoplifting affects visitors more than residents. Check individual postcode pages for a breakdown by crime type.