Blackpool, the iconic Lancashire seaside resort known for its beach, tower, and vibrant tourism scene, has topped new crime rankings as the most dangerous place to live in the United Kingdom outside of London.
According to the latest Home Office data for 2025, Blackpool recorded a crime rate of 149 offences per 1,000 residents, with a total of 21,437 non-fraud crimes. This figure edges out previous frontrunner Middlesbrough, which now sits in second place with 147 crimes per 1,000 people. Blackpool achieved this ranking despite a 3% reduction in its overall crime rate, largely driven by persistently high levels of violent offences.
National Crime Rankings Outside London
The data highlights several urban and regional centres facing elevated crime challenges:
- Manchester: 143 crimes per 1,000 residents (third place)
- Hartlepool: 132 per 1,000
- Bristol: 130 per 1,000
- Liverpool: 124 per 1,000
- Nottingham: 122 per 1,000
- Southampton: 120 per 1,000
These rankings are calculated using police-recorded crimes per capita, providing a fairer comparison across areas of varying population sizes.
Broader Crime Trends in England and Wales
While Blackpool claims the top spot outside London, the national picture shows some positive developments. Overall recorded crime in England and Wales fell by approximately 2% in 2025. Notable decreases were seen in burglary, theft, and homicide. However, certain categories rose, including sexual offences (up 5%), weapons possession (up 6%), and drug offences (up 8%).
London itself continues to dominate the highest crime rates in the country, particularly central boroughs like Westminster, where rates exceed 380 offences per 1,000 residents. These elevated figures are heavily influenced by the large number of tourists and visitors compared to the smaller resident population. Outside central hotspots, areas such as Camden record the highest rates within the capital.
Challenges Facing Blackpool
Famous for its golden sands, Blackpool Tower, Pleasure Beach amusement park, and annual illuminations, the town has long balanced its identity as a popular tourist destination with underlying socio-economic issues. High deprivation levels, seasonal pressures from nightlife and tourism-related incidents, and elevated violent crime have contributed to its current ranking.
Local police have acknowledged the challenges and report ongoing initiatives, including dedicated community engagement teams and targeted response strategies aimed at improving safety for both residents and visitors.
Safest Areas for Contrast
At the other end of the spectrum, the safest places in England and Wales include Broadland in Norfolk (just 35 crimes per 1,000 residents), along with districts such as Waverley, Ribble Valley, and Suffolk Coastal.
These latest figures serve as a reminder of the uneven distribution of crime across the UK, even as overall trends show modest improvements in many categories. Authorities continue to stress that while per-capita rates offer useful comparisons, they do not fully capture the severity or impact of individual incidents, nor do they account for unreported crimes.
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