Leicester Crime Rate

Leicester is a major city in the East Midlands with a crime rate of 128.1 per 1,000 people, which is approximately 40% higher than the UK national average of 91.7. It maintains a safety score of 70/100, reflecting the urban challenges typical of a large metropolitan area. The crime trend in Leicester is currently stable, showing a very minor 0.4% decrease year-over-year. This indicates a consistent safety environment despite its higher-than-average crime figures. This report provides a detailed analysis of Leicester's crime breakdown, historical trends, and comparisons with neighbouring areas to offer residents a clear view of their local safety landscape.

Leicester is a vibrant, multicultural city in the East Midlands, known for its rich industrial heritage, major universities, and world-class sporting institutions. As a significant regional hub, it features a diverse urban landscape that includes a busy city centre, extensive retail districts, and large residential suburbs. The presence of two major universities and a large student population influences the borough's crime profile, particularly in terms of anti-social behaviour and opportunistic theft.

The city's role as a major transport interchange and its active nightlife sector also contribute to higher footfall and associated urban crime challenges. Economic factors and population density play a role in the local crime rate, which stands at 128.1 per 1,000 people. This is higher than the UK average, reflecting the typical issues faced by a large metropolitan area. Despite these challenges, Leicester maintains a safety score of 70/100, supported by proactive local policing and community safety initiatives aimed at reducing violence and property-related offences in its diverse neighbourhoods.

In Leicester, the crime landscape is led by violence and sexual offences, which account for 35.1% of all recorded incidents (44.9 per 1,000). Anti-social behaviour is the second most common category at 13.5%, followed by public order offences at 9.9%. These top three types represent nearly 60% of total police activity in the borough.

Property-related crime in Leicester—encompassing burglary, robbery, theft from the person, vehicle crime, criminal damage, and shoplifting—is a significant factor, with a rate of 44.8 per 1,000 people. This is notably higher than the UK average property crime rate of 32.3. For residents and homeowners, this means that property security and vehicle protection are essential. Criminal damage and arson account for 8.6% of total crime, while shoplifting (7.3%) and other theft (6.3%) indicate a persistent level of opportunistic crime in commercial and residential areas. Burglary itself accounts for 3.4% of total crime. The combined property crime rate suggests that proactive security measures are a valuable investment for Leicester residents.

Leicester's crime rate has remained remarkably stable over the Dec 2024 to Nov 2025 period, with a minor year-over-year decrease of 0.4%. Monthly data shows that crime levels hovered between 9.4 and 12.1 per 1,000 residents throughout the year. The lowest point was recorded in November 2025 (9.4), while a seasonal peak occurred in May 2025, reaching 12.1 per 1,000.

Throughout the summer and autumn, the crime rate remained relatively consistent, typically staying above 10.0 per 1,000. This pattern suggests that while Leicester experiences typical urban fluctuations, there is no evidence of a significant upward trend in criminal activity. The consistent safety score of 70/100 further reinforces the borough's status as a stable metropolitan area with predictable crime patterns.

In the regional context of Leicestershire, Leicester (128.1 per 1,000) shows a significantly higher statistical footprint compared to its immediate neighbours in this specific data set. Nearby areas such as Oadby and Wigston, Blaby, Charnwood, Harborough, Hinckley and Bosworth, and North West Leicestershire all recorded zero crimes during the latest reporting period. This contrast highlights Leicester's position as the primary urban, commercial, and transport hub for the county, which naturally attracts much higher levels of footfall and associated opportunistic crime. While these nearby boroughs may appear safer statistically, Leicester's safety score of 70/100 remains respectable for a city of its size.

With a property crime rate of 44.8 per 1,000 people in Leicester, residents face a higher-than-average risk of theft, vehicle crime, and burglary. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or standard alarm systems, are essentially reactive. They provide evidence after a crime has been committed, which often fails to prevent the initial trauma or financial loss.

The scOS AI-powered operating system represents a shift toward proactive protection. By utilising multi-camera intelligence to monitor your property boundaries in real-time, scOS can detect a threat before a criminal reaches your home. Features like DVLA vehicle verification can instantly identify suspicious vehicles, while autonomous responses—such as activating lighting or audio deterrents—can disrupt a criminal's intent within the critical first 60 seconds. For Leicester homeowners, investing in a system that stops crime at the perimeter is the most effective way to protect your property in a busy urban environment. Prevention is always superior to recording.

How To Keep Safe in Leicester

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types in Leicester, accounting for over 35% of all recorded incidents. In a busy urban environment, taking proactive steps can significantly enhance your personal safety.

1. When walking through the city centre or using public transport late at night, stay in well-lit areas and try to stay where other people are present.
2. Be mindful of your surroundings in high-footfall areas like shopping districts; keep valuables like smartphones and wallets secure and out of sight to prevent opportunistic theft.
3. If you are out in the evening, stick to main roads and avoid shortcuts through unlit parks or isolated alleyways.
4. Consider using personal safety apps that allow you to share your real-time location with trusted contacts when travelling alone across the city.
5. For homeowners, ensuring that your property has visible, high-quality security measures is a key deterrent against the property crime that is prevalent in urban areas.