Crime Rate Manchester UK 2025: Key Stats, Trends & Safety Tips

Manchester is a vibrant hub of culture, commerce, and education—but like many growing cities, it faces ongoing safety concerns. From petty theft to serious violence, the crime rate Manchester UK is a critical factor for residents, students, and visitors alike.

In this article, we’ll explore the most recent Manchester crime stats, including which crimes are most common, where the hotspots are, what’s being done to reduce crime, and how you can stay safe.

Is Crime in Manchester Getting Better or Worse?

The good news is that overall crime in Manchester is slowly falling, but the picture isn’t the same everywhere. Manchester crime stats from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows there were 164.2 crimes per 1,000 people in the city in the year to September 2024. That’s still the highest rate in Greater Manchester, but it’s down from a peak of 172 per 1,000 two years earlier.

Neighbourhood crime, including burglary, robbery, vehicle offences and theft from person, has dropped by 17% in the past 12 months, thanks to targeted police operations. Residential burglaries alone have fallen by a third since 2021 after Greater Manchester Police began attending every break-in.

Emergency response times are improving too: in early 2025, 95% of grade-one emergencies were reached within 15 minutes, up from 91% the year before.

But not all trends are positive. Knife crime rose by 6% in 2024, and hospital admissions for sharp-object assaults are 10% higher than the previous year.

In short: while crime in Manchester is moving in the right direction, the city still records roughly one offence for every six residents annually, higher than the average for UK urban areas.

👉Related Reading: Why is Knife Crime Increasing in the UK 

What Are the Most Common Crimes in Manchester?

When it comes to crime in Manchester, a few categories dominate the statistics. Here’s a breakdown of the most reported offences in 2023/24:

Violent offences make up over a quarter of all recorded crime in the city, about 38% higher than the national average.

For most people, however, the main risks are street-level violence, theft, and antisocial behaviour, not the more serious, headline-grabbing crimes. Staying alert in busy areas and keeping valuables secure are simple ways to avoid becoming a target.

Which Areas in Manchester Have the Highest Crime Rates?

Manchester crime data is heavily location-dependent. Central wards tend to see more reported incidents due to nightlife, retail, and tourism, while some suburban boroughs are relatively peaceful.

Crime rates by borough (year to Sept 2024)

Manchester city centre has the highest crime rate in Greater Manchester, while Trafford remains the safest borough.

Crime hotspots in Manchester

What Is Being Done to Improve Safety?

Improving public safety in Manchester is a collaborative effort between law enforcement, local government, and community stakeholders. In response to persistent concerns about crime—particularly in city centre areas—Greater Manchester has adopted a range of strategic, technological, and grassroots initiatives.

Police and Public Safety Initiatives

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has significantly enhanced its operational capabilities in recent years. These improvements are designed to ensure faster response times, improve transparency, and proactively deter criminal activity.

Key efforts include:

• Increased police recruitment: GMP has grown its personnel by 7% since 2020, addressing previous staffing shortfalls and ensuring greater visibility on the streets.
• Mobile patrol technology: New mobile apps now help dispatch officers in real time based on crime data and incident reports, improving efficiency.
• Body-worn cameras: Officers are now equipped with body cams to increase transparency and reduce escalation during public interactions.

Surveillance Infrastructure Expansion

Technology is playing a growing role in crime prevention strategy. The city has invested in a robust surveillance network to both deter and investigate criminal acts more effectively.

• Over 1,800 CCTV cameras are now active across Manchester, monitoring key public areas 24/7.
• Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems have been installed on major roads and public squares, helping track stolen vehicles and suspicious activity.

Community-Led Crime Prevention Programs

In addition to official law enforcement, community-led initiatives are helping reduce crime at a grassroots level:

• Youth intervention programs in areas like Harpurhey and Longsight provide mentorship, job training, and structured activities to steer at-risk youth away from gang involvement.
• Business Crime Reduction Partnerships allow retailers and local businesses to share real-time information on shoplifting patterns, known offenders, and coordinated prevention tactics.

Tips for Staying Safe in Manchester

While Manchester continues to make strides in reducing crime, individual awareness and personal precautions remain essential. Whether you’re a resident, student, or visitor, adopting a few smart habits can greatly increase your security.

Personal Safety

• Avoid using headphones or being distracted while walking alone at night.
• Be especially cautious near ATMs after dark or in isolated locations.
• Keep valuables, like phones and wallets, zipped securely in bags when in crowded public spaces such as trams or shopping districts.

Transport Safety

• Sit near the driver when using late-night buses, and avoid empty carriages on trains or trams.
• Use only licensed ride-share apps like Uber or Bolt, and avoid unmarked or unverified taxis.
• During large public events—like football matches—map out your route in advance and stick to main roads and populated areas.

Home Security

If you’re living or moving to the city, it pays to think about your home security. Simple steps like locking doors and windows, leaving lights or a radio on a timer when you’re out, and trimming back hedges around entrances can make a big difference.

On top of these basics, smart home security cameras and sensors can give you an extra layer of protection and peace of mind. eufy’s range of no-fee solutions is a good fit if you want reliable, private security that you can install yourself.

Let’s take a look:

eufy SoloCam S340: cover every angle, no wires needed

For outdoor spaces like driveways or gardens, the eufy SoloCam S340 is ideal. It combines a 3K wide-angle lens with a 2K telephoto so you get both a big-picture view and detailed close-ups. Thanks to its 360° pan and 70° tilt, it can track movement smoothly and zoom up to 8× without losing clarity.

The built-in solar panel keeps it charged all year, so you don’t need to worry about running power cables. It stores footage locally with 8GB eMMC storage, and because its AI runs on-device, there’s no need for cloud storage or monthly fees.

eufy Indoor Cam S350: a smart eye on the inside

If you want to keep an eye on pets, kids, or valuables while you’re out, the eufy Indoor Cam S350 gives you complete coverage. It pairs a 4K wide-angle lens with a 2K telephoto, offering an 8× hybrid zoom and full 360° pan with 75° tilt to follow movement around the room.

With an f/1.6 aperture and infrared LEDs, it delivers crisp video even in total darkness. Like the SoloCam, its AI detects people and pets locally to keep your data private. You can save recordings to a microSD card or link it to the HomeBase S380 for expanded storage.

eufy Video Doorbell E340: see visitors and parcels in one view

Manchester’s terraced streets and busy neighbourhoods make a video doorbell a smart choice. The eufy Video Doorbell E340 uses dual cameras, a 2K main lens plus a downward-facing one for parcels, so you can see faces and deliveries at the same time.

It features colour night vision and two-way audio, and the AI alerts you when someone approaches or a package is left on your doorstep. The battery lasts up to six months on a charge, and its 8GB local storage means it still records if your Wi-Fi drops.

eufy 5-Piece Home Alarm Kit: simple, whole-home protection

For a quick and easy setup, the eufy Home Alarm Kit includes a keypad, motion sensor, and two entry sensors. The wireless sensors are easy to fit and last up to two years on a single battery, while the keypad runs for about six months.

You can arm or disarm the system from your phone or the keypad and get instant alerts if a door or window is opened. It’s ideal for flats or houses in busy areas where you want to know straight away if someone’s trying their luck.

Conclusion

Staying informed about the crime rate Manchester UK is the first step to feeling secure and confident in the city. While certain areas continue to struggle with theft, violence, and gang activity, others have seen measurable reductions in crime thanks to better surveillance, community policing, and civic engagement. By understanding the trends and taking a few simple precautions, you can enjoy all that Manchester has to offer without worry.

FAQs

What is the crime rate in Manchester UK?

Manchester has one of the highest crime rates in England and Wales, with approximately 158 offences per 1,000 residents. That’s roughly one recorded crime for every six people. While overall crime has fallen recently—Greater Manchester Police reported an 8% drop and about 30,000 fewer incidents in the year to December 2024—the city still sees elevated levels of violence, theft, and anti‑social behaviour across nightlife zones and inner-city districts.

Who has a higher crime rate, Manchester or Liverpool?

On average, Manchester has a higher crime rate than Liverpool. In the year to September 2024, Manchester recorded around 164 crimes per 1,000 residents, compared with roughly 127 per 1,000 in Liverpool. Crime‑index comparisons also show Manchester scoring higher (55 vs. 48) and its safety index lower than Liverpool’s—making Manchester statistically more prone to crime than its Merseyside counterpart.

Related Blogs

Check out more articles about crime data in UK

• Top 10 Most Dangerous Boroughs in London
• Crime Rates in Britain 2025: Trends, Hotspots & Safety Tips
• Top 10 UK Cities with the Highest Knife Crime Rates