Introduction
Birmingham, often known as the ‘second city,’ is a bustling metropolis located in the heart of England. Known for its vibrant culture, rich history and the distinctive ‘Brummie’ accent, Birmingham has much to offer, but its reputation is somewhat tainted by high crime rates. The crime rate in Birmingham in 2024 stands at 143.1 per 1,000 people. This figure is the highest in the West Midlands and it’s almost 60% higher than the national crime rate across England and Wales.
In this detailed guide, we’ll analyse and discuss crime figures in Birmingham in 2024, providing insight into the most common crimes, how crime rates compare with other UK and global cities and the most dangerous places to live.
An overview of crime in Birmingham in 2024
The most recent data suggests the current crime rate in Birmingham is 143.1 per 1,000 people. This is 35% higher than the average crime rate in the West Midlands region and 57% higher than the average rate in England and Wales. The overall crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, but perhaps the most alarming statistic is the number of violent crimes.
Figures show that the rate of violent and sexual offences, which account for 40% of the total crime rate in Birmingham, is currently 48.3 per 1,000. This is substantially higher than the rate for England and Wales (35.4). Despite the high numbers, data shows that violent crime rates are falling faster in Birmingham than in other parts of the country. There has been a decrease of 11.8% since 2022/2023 compared to a national decrease of 5.2%.
What are the most common crimes in Birmingham?
Violent crime and sexual offences are the most common types of crimes reported in Birmingham in 2024. These crimes account for approximately 40% of the total number of crimes in the city region.
Here is a list of the most common crimes in Birmingham:
- Violence and sexual offences (41% of crimes)
- Vehicle theft (9% of crimes)
- Antisocial behaviour (7.7%)
- Other theft (7% of crimes)
Violent crime and sexual offences
Violent crime and sexual offences are more common in Birmingham than in other parts of the country. The rate per 1,000 people is 48.3 compared to 35.4 in England and Wales. Although rates are stubbornly high, the figures are falling. Since 2023, there has been a decrease of over 11.7%.
Vehicle theft
Vehicle theft is one of the most pressing issues for Birmingham residents. The rate of vehicle theft in Birmingham (11.3 per 1,000 people) is significantly higher than the national average (6.3). Between May 2023 and April 2024, over 22,000 crimes were reported. Despite the prevalence of vehicle theft in Birmingham, rates are dropping. Figures have fallen by 12.9% since 2022/2023.
Antisocial behaviour
Antisocial behaviour is relatively uncommon in Birmingham. Rates are lower than the national average for England and Wales at 9.3 per 1,000 people and 16.1 per 1,000 people respectively. Despite the low figures, trends are alarming. Across England and Wales, rates have fallen by 3.5%. In contrast, rates have rocketed by over 13% in Birmingham since 2023.
Other theft
Cases classed as ‘other theft’ account for 7% of crimes in Birmingham. The rate is 0.5% higher than the national average for England and Wales, but rates are falling steadily in Birmingham. Last year, there was a decrease of over 11% compared to a fall of 3.9% nationally.
How does Birmingham compare to other cities?
Birmingham has a crime index of 63.5, which is considered high. The crime index is calculated based on the estimated crime rate of a given city or country. The lower the score, the better. The safety index shows how safe people feel. The higher the safety index score, the safer people feel. Birmingham has a relatively low safety index at 36.5.
Here’s a list of other UK cities to show you how Birmingham compares:
Crime index:
- London: 54.6
- Manchester: 55.3
- Nottingham: 50.8
- Coventry: 64.9
- Bradford: 68.1
- Liverpool: 48.4
- Belfast: 46.3
- Glasgow: 45.1
On a global scale, Birmingham has a relatively high crime rate. It currently ranks 46th on the list of cities with the highest crime index. The South African city of Pietermaritzburg tops the list with a rating of 82.5. For comparison, here are some other major European cities:
- Marseille: 65.9
- Paris: 57.7
- Berlin: 44.6
- Naples: 62.6
- Rome: 49.3
- Barcelona: 51.4
- Sofia: 40
- Riga: 38.8
Safety index:
- Edinburgh: 68.9
- Aberdeen: 62.7
- Newcastle: 62
- Bristol 57.9
- Glasgow: 54.9
- Nottingham: 49.2
- Manchester: 44.7
- London: 45.4
The most common concerns for people in Birmingham include:
- Being mugged or robbed
- Being attacked
- Being insulted
- Vandalism and theft
- Violent crimes, including armed robbery and assault
What are the most dangerous parts of Birmingham?
Based on overall crime rates and analysis of crime type and severity, the most dangerous places to live in Birmingham include:
- Birmingham city centre: crime rate 349.9 per 1,000
- Bordesley Green: crime rate 290.1
- Aston & Newtown: crime rate 241.4
- Edgbaston: crime rate 218.1
- Stockland Green & Gravelly Hill: crime rate 214.2
It is worth noting that the list changes when basing rankings on the overall weekly crime rate alone. In this case, Ladywood tops the list followed by Bordesley & Highgate, Soho & Jewellery Quarter, Glebe Farm & Tile Cross and Acocks Green.
Conclusion
Crime rates are relatively high in Birmingham. Most notably, violent and sexual offences account for 40% of crimes in the city region, which is significantly higher than the national average for England and Wales. Despite the high numbers, violent crime rates have fallen by over 11% since 2023. Other common crimes include vehicle theft and antisocial behaviour.
Looking for security in Birmingham?
It’s natural for businesses and homeowners to be worried about crime in Birmingham. If you’re looking for expert advice about advanced security measures and protection, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Lodge Service team.
Sources:
https://crimerate.co.uk/west-midlands/birmingham
https://www.numbeo.com/crime/region_rankings.jsp?title=2024-mid®ion=150
https://www.numbeo.com/crime/in/Birmingham
https://www.adt.co.uk/crime-in-my-area/crime-in-birmingham
https://www.plumplot.co.uk/Birmingham-violent-crime-statistics.html#
https://www.plumplot.co.uk/Birmingham-antisocial-behaviour-crime-statistics.html#
https://www.plumplot.co.uk/Birmingham-vehicle-crime-statistics.html#
https://www.plumplot.co.uk/Birmingham-other-theft-crime-statistics.html#