Leeds is one of the UK’s fastest-growing cities, known for its business opportunities and lively culture. Still, newcomers and visitors often ask, “Is Leeds safe?” Understanding Leeds crime rate and safety landscape helps people make confident choices about living, working, or travelling there.
This blog covers the detailed view of crime statistics in Leeds 2025 and the types of crimes that are most common there. It explores why the crime rate appears high there, which areas are safest and most dangerous, and what practical things you can do to stay safer in the city.
The Latest Leeds Crime Statistics (2024-2025)
Leeds records a relatively high crime rate compared to regional and national averages, according to multiple sources.
- Data shows an overall crime rate for Leeds of around 135 crimes per 1,000 residents for the 12 months to August 2025.
- Another dataset indicates Leeds has an annual crime rate of approximately 155 crimes per 1,000 people in a recent period.
- The violent crime rate of Leeds stands at 3 crimes per 1,000 work-day population, which is 144% of the England & Wales average.
- One regional comparison shows that Leeds crime rateis about 26% higher than the average for Yorkshire & The Humber and 50% higher than the England/Wales & NI average.
- One dataset reports a 2.1% decrease in overall incidents for the year ending September 2023 compared to 2022.
There are some signs of modest improvement in certain crime types, but Leeds’ crime rate remains significantly elevated compared with national benchmarks.
Common Types of Crimes in Leeds
According to the data from Plumplot, the most prevalent crime categories in Leeds are:
- Violence make up roughly 38%-39% of reported crime in Leeds.
- Leeds records high rates of shoplifting. The datashows ~8,700 incidents and a rate of 183% of the national average.
- Public order offences are also above national average levels (~182%).
- Burglary rates are shown to be ~198% of the national average in Leeds.
- Theft from the person / vehicle crime / criminal damage also occurs at elevated levels relative to many other UK areas.
These patterns show the severity of different crimes in Leeds. Violence is the most common type in Leeds, and then comes theft and shoplifting. One must focus on some protection measures, like installing outdoor and indoor security cameras, like the eufy Indoor Cam S350, which delivers 4K dual-camera clarity with 360° pan/tilt, which is useful for internal security and monitoring when you’re out.
Why Is the Crime Rate High in Leeds?
Crime rates are higher, and there are multiple factors which contribute to this elevation.
Urban Density & Night-Time Economy
Leeds has certain environments where opportunities for crime are higher. It’s a large city with a busy central area and a student population. Nightlife and late hours of working and studying also contribute to the increase in the crime rate.
Socio-economic Variation
There are certain wards that face higher levels of deprivation and unemployment with associated social pressures, which tend to correlate with higher crime.
Transport Hubs & Mobility
Central Leeds serves as a transport and economic hub, which can increase transient footfall, visitor traffic and therefore potential for opportunistic offences.
Police Resource & Reporting Changes
Some of the higher rates may reflect better reporting or focus, but also pressures on policing mean response and resolution rates can lag.
Concentration in Key Areas
The crime rate is not uniform across Leeds. Specific neighbourhoods skew the statistics upward. The city centre recorded 12,716 crimes between August 2023 and July 2024.
Such high overall figures for the Leeds crime rate don't result from a single cause. They rise because of different structural, economic and geographic factors.
Safest and Most Dangerous Areas in Leeds
Leeds is not overall unsafe for living and visiting. Some areas are dangerous, but not all of them. Here are some top names among areas with higher and lower reported crime rates according to the crime data from Yorkshire Evening Post:
Most Dangerous
The Leeds City Centre has the highest reported crime rate with 12,716 offences in a one-year period. Other high-crime neighbourhoods include Armley & New Wortley, with 2,425 crimes and Lincoln Green/Ebor Gardens, having 2,323 crimes in one listed period. Paying attention to home security with outdoor security cameras is most important in those areas.
Safest Areas in Leeds
Neighbourhoods with the lowest crime rate are:
- Wetherby West with 131 crimes
- Garforth East with 183 crimes
- Scarcroft, Shadwell & Scholes with 191 crimes
Leeds has safe areas and dangerous ones. It’s better to check crime data at the ward or postcode level rather than relying only on the city wide average.
How to Stay Safer in Leeds
Leeds crime rate is higher, and living in or visiting this city means staying alert and proactive. Your protection is important, and you must focus on some actionable tips to make sure you keep living in the city safely.
- A smart video doorbell helps you monitor deliveries and front door movement all the time. The eufy Video Doorbell E340 offers dual-camera 2K clarity and colour night vision, which means you can make sure the security of your home properly.
- Use indoor security cameras if you live in a multi-occupancy or flat setting to keep tabs on common areas or rented rooms.
- Strong home security is uncompromising. Install outdoor security cameras to monitor external access and deter burglars. Devices like the eufyCam S4 give advanced outdoor coverage powered by a solar panel with AI-driven tracking and no subscription fees, and help in high-end monitoring of your homes.
- Precautions for safety
- Don't choose poorly lit areas at night during walk.
- Be aware of your surroundings and keep valuables out of sight.
- Use the best secure public transport or taxi services for late night travel. Pay extra care when you are in central Leeds or known high-incident neighbourhoods.
- Keep your valuables and important documents at safe place. Use insurance and security systems to protect your home.
- Many homeowners also opt for a full system like the NVR CCTV System S4 Max for comprehensive coverage of both indoors and outdoors.
Smart cameras like technology complement physically safe behaviours and give you better control over your domestic environment.
Conclusion
The Leeds crime rate is higher than regional and national averages. Violence, theft and shoplifting are some common crimes which many experience when living and visiting the city. It doesn't happen in the entire city. A few places are safer, and sensible precautions make those places more secure. Using proper security devices, staying aware of your environment, and choosing your neighbourhood carefully will greatly improve your experience living in or visiting Leeds.
FAQs
What is the crime rate in Leeds UK?
Current estimates show around 135-157 crimes per 1,000 people per year in Leeds, depending on the period and data source.
Which areas in Leeds have the highest crime rates?
Data shows the city centre registers the highest volume of reported crimes of 12,716 incidents in one year. Armley & New Wortley and Lincoln Green/Ebor Gardens are other neighbourhoods that also feature in the higher-crime list.
Is Leeds a safe city to live in?
Absolutely. If you pay attention to precautionary measures. Leeds' crime rate is higher than the national average. Despite this, you will find many safe and pleasant neighbourhoods. You need to carefully choose your area, using home security and being alert are key.
What types of crime are most common in Leeds?
According to Plumplot, the most common crime in Leeds is violent crime, with about 42.6 k incidents, accounting for 38.8% of all offences: 144% higher than the national average. Burglary is also a key concern, making up 5.7% of total crime and ranking second highest in England and Wales at 198% of the national rate, though it decreased by 5.9% year-over-year. Robbery rose fastest, up 7.7%.
Has crime in Leeds been increasing or decreasing?
Overall, crime in Leeds has seen a slight decrease in recent data. One dataset reports a 2.1% drop in total recorded incidents for the year ending September 2023 compared with 2022. While certain offences such as robbery or burglary may fluctuate, the overall picture suggests that crime levels in Leeds are gradually improving, reflecting steady community and policing efforts.
