Leicester Crime Rate 2025: Is the City Safe to Live and Visit?

Leicester is known for its rich history, lively cultural mix, and strong sense of community, but like any busy UK city, it has its challenges. If you’ve been wondering how safe Leicester really is, the latest Leicester crime rate data paints a detailed picture.

In this guide, you’ll see which crimes are most common, where safety varies between neighbourhoods, and what factors influence these trends. Whether you live locally or plan to visit, understanding the facts behind the headlines helps you move through the city with confidence.

Is Leicester Safe? The Latest Leicester Crime Statistics

As the largest city in the East Midlands, Leicester has a higher crime rate than the UK average, but it’s not among the most dangerous big cities. According to the latest figures, crime levels are steady or slightly improving, suggesting the city’s situation is stable rather than worsening.

Now, let’s look at the numbers of crime rate in Leicester:

Official crime rate snapshot (ONS, year ending June 2025)

Police-recorded crime, excluding fraud:

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS)’s latest report, Leicester records an average of 118 crimes per 1,000 people in the year ending June 2025. This means it sees about one reported crime for every nine residents each year.

That’s higher than the England and Wales average (85.5), and also higher than the surrounding Leicestershire county.

The positive sign is that offences in Leicester fell by around 4% over the previous year. It suggests the city’s overall crime trend is stable or slightly improving, even though its rate remains above the national picture.

The view from CrimeRate.co.uk (12 months to August 2025)

CrimeRate’s numbers tell a similar story. Leicester records over 103 crimes per 1,000 people in the year to August 2025, which is well above the UK average of 72. It places the city roughly on par with Birmingham, slightly above Liverpool, but below Leeds and far safer than Westminster.

In plain terms, Leicester’s rate means the city has the kind of challenges you’d expect in a busy urban centre, not unusually dangerous, but not low-crime either.

Why the numbers differ

Two main data sources are used here:

• ONS (Office for National Statistics): measures police-recorded crime and uses the resident population. It’s updated quarterly.
• CrimeRate.co.uk: draws from police data but adjusts for the daytime population(including commuters and visitors) and updates monthly.

Because they use different populations and annual time frames, their totals don’t match perfectly. Still, both point to the same conclusion: Leicester has above-average crime, but the overall trend is stable or slightly improving.

Which Crimes Are Most Common in Leicester?

The most reported offences in Leicester are violence and sexual offences, followed by anti-social behaviour, public order incidents, and criminal damage or arson. Theft-related crimes also make up a large share of police reports.

These patterns are typical for a busy UK city, but Leicester’s numbers are a little higher than the national average in several categories.

What the numbers show

(Source: CrimeRate.co.uk, 12 months to Aug 2025)

Making sense of it

• Violence and sexual offences make up about 40% of all recorded crime in the city. This group covers a wide range of incidents, from minor assaults to serious cases, so the label sounds harsher than the mix of offences it contains.
• Anti-social behaviour and public order offences often happen in busy nightlife areas or during events. These can include shouting, harassment, or minor disorder rather than major violence.
• Shoplifting remains high, which mirrors national trends as police and retailers report more small-value thefts.
• Bicycle theft is more than double the national average, likely linked to a large student and commuter population.
• Theft from the person, things like pickpocketing, is lower than the UK average, meaning it’s less of a concern here than in London or tourist-heavy cities.

Safest and Most Dangerous Areas in Leicester

Like any big city, Leicester is a real mix. You’ll find quiet, leafy suburbs just a short drive from bustling urban centres. This means the story on crime changes depending on which postcode you’re in.

Areas with Higher Crime Reports

Before we list names, it’s key to know how crime is counted.

The places with the highest total number of crimes are almost always the city centres. This isn’t because they are scary places to live. It’s simply because they are packed with:

• Loads of people: Shoppers, workers, and tourists.
• Lots of nightlife: A high number of pubs, bars, and clubs.
• Tons of shops: More shops mean more shoplifting reports.

For example, the Castle ward, which covers the city centre, always tops the list. This is totally normal for any city’s main commercial hub. In fact, Leicester’s city centre regularly wins a “Purple Flag” award. This award is a big thumbs-up for a safe, well-managed, and vibrant night out.

When you look past the city centre, some areas do see more crime reports than others. Police data often shows higher volumes in neighbourhoods like:

• Abbey. Located north of the city centre, this ward includes both residential streets and major industrial/retail parks, which boost crime volume.
• Braunstone Park & Rowley Fields. These are large residential estates facing socio-economic challenges that correlate with higher rates of anti-social behaviour and theft.
• Westcotes. A densely populated area, it includes student housing near De Montfort University and can see higher reports of property-related crime and noise complaints.
• Beaumont Leys. The crime stats here are often skewed by the presence of the massive Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre, which generates a high volume of shoplifting and vehicle-related crime reports.
• Saffron. This is a large residential area in the south, where police often focus resources on reducing incidents of violence and public order offences.

Leicester’s Safe & Popular Suburbs

Now for the good news. Leicester is also filled with fantastic, safe, and desirable neighbourhoods:

• Oadby: A popular town right on the edge of the city. It’s known for being family-friendly and a bit more affluent.
• Spinney Hills: Located in the inner-city area, it’s often cited as having one of the lowest crime rates in the city, about 56 crimes per 1,000 residents.
• North Evington: Situated to the east of Leicester, this area balances a busy urban feel with a lower-than-average crime rate, around 69 crimes per 1,000 residents.
• Rushey Mead: Known for its good schools and strong multicultural community, with a comparatively low crime rate.
• Knighton: This spot feels almost like a village but is still close to the action. Its leafy streets make it a huge hit with families and professionals.
• Stoneygate: Known as one of Leicester’s “posh” areas, it’s full of beautiful Victorian houses and has a very calm, established feel.

What Factors Drive Crime Rates in Leicester

Leicester’s crime levels reflect its size, activity, and social mix rather than any single cause. A few key forces shape the city’s numbers:

• A busy city centre: Leicester’s compact core combines nightlife, shopping, and transport hubs. These crowded spaces naturally lead to more theft, anti-social behaviour, and public order incidents, especially on weekends and event days.
• Local economic pressures: Certain neighbourhoods face higher deprivation and youth unemployment, factors often linked to small-scale offences like shoplifting and vandalism. These areas tend to see more police reports than more stable districts.
• High population movement: A large student and commuter population means more people pass through the city each day. This raises the daytime population, which inflates crime rates per 1,000 people compared with quieter towns.
• Active reporting and policing: Leicester’s police encourage people to report offences such as domestic abuse and hate crime. That proactive approach can make totals appear higher while reflecting better transparency, not necessarily more danger.
• Geography and transport links: Leicester’s position on the M1 and major rail lines attracts both economic activity and some transient crime, including vehicle theft and occasional organised offences.

Precautions and Safety Tips for Residents and Visitors in Leicester

Leicester’s crime rate is higher than the UK average, so it’s worth taking a few extra precautions day to day. Most issues are minor and preventable, but staying alert helps you avoid trouble before it starts.

Whether you live here or are just passing through, these safety tips will help you move around the city with confidence:

Out and about

• Stay aware in crowded areas. Pickpocketing and bag theft are rare in Leicester but tend to happen where foot traffic is heavy, near the Clock Tower, Haymarket, and transport hubs. Keep bags zipped and phones in front pockets.
• Plan your route after dark. Stick to well-lit streets and main roads, and walk with others where possible. The city centre is well covered by CCTV and active patrols, but quieter residential lanes can feel isolated late at night.
• Use licensed taxis or verified ride-hailing apps. Hackney carriages in Leicester display a green or yellow licence plate and a city council badge. Avoid unmarked cars offering lifts.
• Stick with friends after pubs or events and keep an eye on drinks and belongings.
• Trust your instincts. If something feels off, a street, a group, or a situation, move toward a busier area or into a shop or café.

Protecting your vehicle and bike

• Lock up properly, even for short stops. Vehicle crime in Leicester runs higher than the national average, and many cases involve unlocked cars or visible valuables. Always double-check locks and avoid leaving bags or electronics on display.
• Park smart. Use well-lit car parks or ones displaying the Park Mark Safer Parking Several in the city centre and near the train station meet that standard.
• Keep bikes secure. Bicycle theft is more common here than in many UK cities. Use a solid D-lock through the frame and wheel, and register your bike’s serial number on BikeRegister (a free police-endorsed database).

At home

• Lock doors and windows, even when you’re in. Most burglaries happen through unsecured entry points rather than forced entry.
• Check lighting and visibility. Motion sensor lights or simple timers help make homes look occupied when you’re away.
• Join or follow local neighbourhood groups. Leicester has active online forums and Neighbourhood Watch networks that share real-time police updates and community alerts.
• Add a few smart security tools to keep your home protected. If you’re thinking about security camerasor a video doorbell, choose what fits your space and routine.

The eufy options below store video locally and work without any required subscription. Here’s how each one can help:

For driveways, gardens, or side paths, the eufyCam S4 gives a clear, fixed 4K “bullet” view and adds a rotating pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera beneath for full 360-degree coverage. When motion is spotted, the 2K PTZ lenses automatically track and keep the subject centred, with up to 8× hybrid zoom and smart auto-framing to about 50 metres away.

The dual detection system (radar + PIR) cuts false alerts, while bright lights and a 105 dB siren act as a visual and audio deterrent. It runs on solar power, so an hour of daylight keeps it charged, and the quick-swap battery lasts months between changes. With local storage and weather-resistant design, it’s a simple, low-maintenance way to watch over outdoor areas.

Want a wired, always-on CCTV setup for larger homes or small businesses? The eufy PoE NVR CCTV System S4 Max kit pairs an 8-channel NVR (2 TB included, expandable to 16 TB) with ultra-sharp 16MP triple-lens Bullet-PTZ cameras that offer 4K wide view, zoomed up details, and 360° coverage together.

The setup records around the clock through a wired PoE connection, so there’s no downtime. Smart cross-cam tracking hands movement from one camera to the next, and AI filters spot people (family vs strangers), cars, or pets with precision.

Night vision in colour, bright warning lights, and sturdy IP65 housings make it ready for all weather.

The eufy Indoor Cam S350 suits hallways, living areas, or anywhere you’d like to check in remotely. Two lenses, a wide 4K and a 2K zoom, rotate for full-room coverage, following motion automatically.

Clear night vision and on-device AI can tell people from pets or track crying sounds, which helps families and pet owners alike. The camera stores video locally and connects easily over Wi-Fi 6 for smooth streaming.

Live in a flat or small home? If your front door is your main entry point, a video doorbell covers almost everything that matters without extra kit.

This dual-camera eufy Video Doorbell E340 shows visitors head-to-toe and watches the ground for parcels at the same time. It records in 2K with colour night vision, so faces and deliveries stay visible day or night.

You can talk to visitors through the app, and alerts pop up instantly when someone approaches or leaves a package. It works on battery or existing wiring, stores clips locally, and is built to handle rain or cold without fuss.

Conclusion

The latest Leicester crime rate shows a busy city with above-average crime levels, but not one that’s unsafe. Most offences are minor and concentrated in central areas where life is most active. Official data points to small year-on-year improvements, suggesting local efforts are working. For residents and visitors, everyday awareness and practical precautions make a real difference. Leicester remains a vibrant, diverse place to live, study, or explore, and understanding its crime patterns simply helps you enjoy the city with confidence and common sense.

FAQs

Which areas of Leicester have highest crime rates?

The City Centre & Castle area typically reports the highest crime rates, often followed by areas such as Westcotes, New Parks & Western Park, and Braunstone Park & Rowley Fields. Crime is generally higher in central and more densely populated locations, with common issues including violent crime and public order offences.

Does Leicester have a low crime rate?

No, Leicester doesn’t have a low crime rate. The latest figures show around 103 crimes per 1,000 people over the 12 months to August 2025, substantially above the UK average of 72. Official ONS data puts it even higher at 118 per 1,000 residents in the year ending June 2025. That means Leicester sees more reported offences than most UK cities of its size, though it’s far from the country’s most unsafe.

Is Leicester safe to live in or visit?

While Leicester has a crime rate higher than the national average and some parts require caution, particularly the city centre at night, many residential neighborhoods like Spinney Hills and North Evington have relatively low crime rates. It’s safe for most residents and visitors, especially with standard urban precautions.