Leeds, the most dangerous major city in West Yorkshire, ranks among the top 10 most dangerous overall out of West Yorkshire’s 118 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Leeds in 2022 was 172 crimes per 1,000 people, significantly higher than West Yorkshire’s overall crime rate of 126 per 1,000 residents. When compared to all towns, cities, and villages in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, Leeds secures a dubious first place among major cities and the 145th position overall.
Leeds particularly struggled with bicycle theft in December 2022, recording 65 crimes and a crime rate of 0.13 per 1,000 inhabitants, the highest in West Yorkshire. December was a challenging month in terms of burglary as well, with Leeds becoming West Yorkshire’s most dangerous area for this crime. There were 337 burglaries recorded, amounting to a rate of 0.66 per 1,000 residents. In the same month, Leeds also recorded the highest crime rate for criminal damage and arson in West Yorkshire, with 598 reports and a crime rate of 1.2.
The most frequently reported crimes in Leeds are violence and sexual offences, with 36,393 offences reported during 2022, leading to a crime rate of 71. This marks an 8% increase from the previous year’s figure of 33,738 offences and a rise of 5.20 in the crime rate from 2021’s figure of 66. On the other hand, the least common crimes in Leeds are those involving the possession of weapons, with 909 offences recorded in 2022, a 23% increase from the 741 crimes reported in 2021.
A Look at Leeds’ Crime History
Source: https://crimerate.co.uk/west-yorkshire/leeds
The crime rate in Leeds has seen a general increase over the years, as shown in the data below:
- 2022: 172 crimes per 1,000 residents (88,120 total crimes)
- 2021: 153 crimes per 1,000 residents (78,237 total crimes)
- 2020: 138 crimes per 1,000 residents (70,363 total crimes)
- 2019: 160 crimes per 1,000 residents (81,548 total crimes)
- 2018: 159 crimes per 1,000 residents (81,057 total crimes)
- 2017: 139 crimes per 1,000 residents (71,198 total crimes)
- 2016: 124 crimes per 1,000 residents (63,581 total crimes)
Leeds’ Crime Profile for 2023
The following table presents a summary of crime counts and rates in Leeds for the year 2023, and how they compare to West Yorkshire:
| Crime Type | Count in Leeds | Rate in Leeds | Count in West Yorkshire | Rate in West Yorkshire | Rate Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-Social Behaviour | 7,088 | 13.87 | 25,851 | 11.08 | 25% more dangerous |
| Bicycle Theft | 1,172 | 2.29 | 2,141 | 0.92 | 149% more dangerous |
| Burglary | 4,528 | 8.86 | 13,217 | 5.67 | 56% more dangerous |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 7,970 | 15.59 | 26,928 | 11.54 | 35% more dangerous |
| Drugs | 2,624 | 5.13 | 8,245 | 3.53 | 45% more dangerous |
| Other Crime | 1,895 | 3.71 | 6,887 | 2.95 | 26% more dangerous |
| Other Theft | 6,961 | 13.62 | 21,196 | 9.09 | 50% more dangerous |
| Possession of Weapons | 909 | 1.78 | 2,597 | 1.11 | 60% more dangerous |
| Public Order | 11,689 | 22.87 | 41,024 | 17.59 | 30% more dangerous |
| Robbery | 1,138 | 2.23 | 2,819 | 1.21 | 84% more dangerous |
| Shoplifting | 6,131 | 11.99 | 17,267 | 7.40 | 62% more dangerous |
| Theft From the Person | 1,487 | 2.91 | 3,305 | 1.42 | 105% more dangerous |
| Vehicle Crime | 5,223 | 10.22 | 15,799 | 6.77 | 51% more dangerous |
| Violence and Sexual Offences | 36,393 | 71.20 | 133,307 | 57.15 | 25% more dangerous |
Crime Trends in Leeds
The table below provides insight into how crime rates have fluctuated in Leeds from 2019 to 2023:
| Crime Type | 2019 Rate | 2020 Rate | 2021 Rate | 2022 Rate | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-Social Behaviour | 23 | 27 | 21 | 14 | Safer |
| Bicycle Theft | 2.0 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 2.3 | Safer |
| Burglary | 13 | 8 | 7 | 9 | Safer |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | Safer |
| Drugs | 4.4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | Getting worse |
| Other Crime | 3.7 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.7 | Getting worse |
| Other Theft | 15 | 10 | 11 | 14 | Safer |
| Possession of Weapons | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.8 | Getting worse |
| Public Order | 16 | 16 | 21 | 23 | Getting worse |
| Robbery | 2.6 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 2.2 | Safer |
| Shoplifting | 11 | 7 | 8 | 12 | Getting worse |
| Theft From the Person | 3.8 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 2.9 | Safer |
| Vehicle Crime | 11 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Safer |
| Violence and Sexual Offences | 60 | 56 | 66 | 71 | Getting worse |
How Does Leeds Compare to Other Major UK Cities?
When compared to other major cities in the UK, Leeds reports a higher crime rate. Here’s how Leeds’ crime rate compares to other cities:
| City | Crime Rate | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Barnet | 69.64 | 60% safer |
| Croydon | 86.13 | 50% safer |
| Bristol | 97.73 | 43% safer |
| Sheffield | 102.73 | 40% safer |
| Coventry | 110.65 | 36% safer |
| Leicester | 127.77 | 26% safer |
| Liverpool | 140.93 | 18% safer |
| Birmingham | 145.38 | 16% safer |
| Bradford | 159.33 | 8% safer |
| Leeds | 172.39 | – |
Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Leeds
What police force serves Leeds? The West Yorkshire Police is responsible for serving Leeds.
How dangerous is Leeds? Leeds holds the unfortunate title of being the most dangerous major city in West Yorkshire.
What is Leeds’s most common crime? Violence and sexual offences are the most common crimes in Leeds.
What is the least common crime in Leeds? The least common crimes in Leeds involve the possession of weapons.
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