York Crime Rate

The historic city of York maintains an overall crime rate of 92.9 per 1,000 residents, which sits just above the UK national average of 91.7. Despite this, York is highly regarded for its safety, achieving a safety score of 80/100, which surpasses the UK average of 79/100. The recent crime trend in York is classified as stable, showing a slight decrease of 1.2% compared to the previous year. This suggests that the city remains a secure environment for both its 209,301 residents and its many visitors. While York faces the typical challenges of a major tourist and commercial hub, its statistical profile indicates a well-balanced safety environment. The following sections provide a deeper dive into York's crime breakdown, monthly trends, and essential safety recommendations.

York is a world-renowned historic city that functions as a major tourism destination, a significant rail transport hub, and a centre for higher education with two large universities. These characteristics heavily influence its crime statistics. The high volume of visitors—often exceeding several million annually—increases the transient population, which can lead to higher rates of opportunistic crimes such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, particularly in the compact city centre. The city's vibrant nightlife, supported by a large student population and tourist trade, also contributes to public order and alcohol-related incidents. Economically, York is relatively prosperous, but the disparity between affluent residential areas and busy commercial zones can make certain neighbourhoods targets for property crime. The density of the historic core, with its narrow streets and high footfall, creates a unique policing environment compared to more modern, sprawling urban areas.

In York, the crime landscape is dominated by three main categories: violence and sexual offences (30.3%), anti-social behaviour (25.9%), and shoplifting (11.6%). Violence and sexual offences recorded 5,890 incidents, while anti-social behaviour accounted for 5,038 reports. Property-related crime overall—which includes burglary, robbery, various thefts, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—sits at a rate of 31.4 per 1,000 residents. Within this category, there were 615 burglaries and 509 vehicle crimes. While York's property crime rate is slightly below the UK average of 32.3, the high percentage of anti-social behaviour and shoplifting reflects the city's status as a commercial and social hub. For residents, this means that while the risk of serious property crime is statistically lower than in many other cities, the impact of 'quality of life' crimes like ASB and the prevalence of retail-related theft remain significant factors in the local community.

York's crime trends have remained remarkably stable over the last 12 months, with a negligible decrease of 1.2% in total offences. Monthly data shows that the crime rate was at its lowest in the winter months, with 6.7 per 1,000 in January and 6.3 in February 2025. As the city entered the busier spring and summer tourist seasons, the rate climbed steadily, peaking at 8.7 per 1,000 in July 2025. This seasonal pattern is typical for a major tourist destination, where higher footfall often leads to an increase in reported incidents. The rate then tapered off towards the end of the year, finishing at 7.5 in November. For residents, this trend indicates a predictable environment where crime is closely tied to the city's activity levels. The overall stability suggests that York remains a consistently safe environment without any sudden spikes in criminal activity.

In a regional context, York's crime rate of 92.9 per 1,000 people stands out against several nearby areas that report negligible crime figures in this dataset. Areas such as the East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Leeds, Wakefield, Doncaster, and Bradford all show a rate of 0.0 per 1,000 residents. This stark difference is primarily due to York being a highly concentrated urban centre with a massive transient population of tourists and students, which naturally drives higher report volumes for offences like anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. While the surrounding regions may appear safer on paper, York's safety score of 80/100 confirms it remains a very secure choice for those seeking an urban lifestyle in the North of England.

With a property crime rate of 31.4 per 1,000 residents, York homeowners should consider the limitations of traditional security. Most standard CCTV systems are purely reactive; they provide you with high-definition footage of a crime that has already occurred. In contrast, proactive protection aims to prevent the incident entirely. The scOS AI-powered operating system is designed for this purpose, using multi-camera intelligence to monitor property boundaries 24/7. By identifying suspicious patterns and unauthorised vehicles—such as those with cloned plates—scOS can intervene before a break-in happens. Features like autonomous lighting activation and audible warnings destroy the element of surprise, which is a burglar's greatest asset. In a city like York, where footfall is high and opportunistic crime can occur, having a system that actively deters threats at the perimeter is far more valuable than a camera that simply records your losses. Proactive AI security turns your home into a hard target, encouraging intruders to move on.

How To Keep Safe in York

The most common crime type in York is violence and sexual offences, which is frequently linked to the city's busy city centre and nightlife. To stay safe while enjoying all that York has to offer, consider these practical tips:

• Stick to Familiar Routes: York's historic 'snickelways' and narrow streets can be poorly lit at night. Stick to main, well-lit thoroughfares when walking after dark, especially if you are alone.
• Be Mindful of High-Footfall Areas: In crowded tourist spots and shopping streets, keep your personal belongings secure. While York is safe, the high number of visitors can attract opportunistic pickpockets.
• Use Registered Transport: If you've been enjoying York's many pubs and bars, always use a licensed taxi or a reputable ride-sharing app to get home. Avoid accepting rides from unlicensed vehicles.
• Stay in Groups: When out in the evening, staying with friends is always safer. If you do find yourself alone, let someone know your expected arrival time and consider using a mobile safety app to share your journey.
• Report Anti-Social Behaviour: York sees a significant amount of ASB. Reporting incidents to the local authorities helps them allocate resources to the areas that need them most, improving safety for everyone.