Crime Rate in Birmingham: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Birmingham

The total recorded crimes in Birmingham, UK in May 2025 are around 14,454 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Birmingham crime rate of 12.62 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Birmingham, encompassing approximately 1,144,922 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during May were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (5867) incidents (9.48% increase)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (1337) incidents (1.29% increase)
  • Shoplifting: (1233) incidents (-12.30% decrease)
Birmingham Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Worcester Street with total crimes: 318
  • Supermarket with total crimes: 213
  • High Street with total crimes: 213

Birmingham Police Info:

West Midlands Police

How safe is Birmingham?

To understand the safety of Birmingham, we need to analyze Birmingham crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • Birmingham has recorded 168,980 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 147.59 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 33 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 173,610 crimes with a crime rate of 151.63, ranking it 21 in the UK. This a decrease in crime suggests Positive changes.

  • Relative to West Midlands:

    • In 2024, Birmingham reported a higher crime volume than the West Midlands average, with 168,980 crimes compared to 51,799. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, Birmingham recorded fewer crimes than 6 out of 6 other cities.

    • In 2023, Birmingham experienced a greater number of crimes than the West Midlands average, with 173,610 crimes compared to 53,565. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, Birmingham recorded fewer crimes than 6 out of 6 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Birmingham is considered more dangerous compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in West Midlands, Birmingham has a higher crime rate in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Positive changes in overall safety.

Birmingham Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Ladywood (2188 crimes), and the safest, Sutton Mere Green (28 crimes), is 2160 crimes. This substantial difference indicates a significant disparity in safety across Birmingham.

Similarly, the area of Central (1792 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Hill Hook (8 crimes), with a difference of 1784 crimes. This substantial difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Birmingham.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Ladywood2188
Soho & Jewellery Quarter601
Bordesley & Highgate523
Nechells473
Acocks Green409

Safest Wards:

Sutton Four Oaks41
Sutton Roughley38
Hall Green South35
Sutton Wylde Green33
Sutton Mere Green28

Most Dangerous Areas:

Central1792
North Central & Dartmouth Circus439
Digbeth348
Winson Green & Gib Heath261
Five Ways North230

Safest Areas:

Lyndon Green23
Walmley20
Little Sutton & Roughley18
Wylde Green15
Hill Hook8

Birmingham Crime Statstics

In May 2025 the Birmingham has recorded 14,454 crimes with crime rate of 12.62 ranking 32th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 1 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 1 in terms of crime rate in West Midlands.

In 2024, the total Birmingham crimes were 168,980. The crime rate of Birmingham in 2024 was 147.59 (year) or 12.30 (month) ranking it 33 danzarous in the UK. Birmingham ranked 1 in terms of total crimes and 1 in terms of crime rate in West Midlands.

In 2023, the total crimes in Birmingham were around 173,610 crimes with yearly crime rate of 151.63 (year) or 12.64 (month) ranking 21 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in West Midlands, Birmingham ranked 1 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 1 as per crime rate of Birmingham

CityMay 202520242023
CrimesRank (West Midlands)CrimesRank (West Midlands)CrimesRank (West Midlands)
Dudley2,497 728,630 731,146 7
Solihull1,593 619,985 621,884 6
Walsall2,570 532,801 433,099 5
Sandwell3,192 338,740 540,962 3
Coventry3,128 441,087 341,099 4
Wolverhampton2,497 232,370 233,152 2

Birmingham Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (5867 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (1337 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (5359 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (1406 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (5683 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (1566 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 4820 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 1363 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (5319 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (1307 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 5380 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 1316 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (5259 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (1376 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (5351 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (1479 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (5447 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (1448 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (32 incidents) and then Public order showed a substantial number of incidents (8 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 6055 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 1417 incidents.

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 11465 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1042.27 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 1417 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251337
April 20251320
March 20251144
February 20251082
January 2025921
December 20241007
November 20241020
October 20241159
September 20241055
August 20243
July 20241417

A total of 752 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 68.36 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 99 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 202580
April 202584
March 202569
February 202548
January 202559
December 202450
November 202481
October 202489
September 202499
August 20244
July 202489

A total of 54572 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 4961.09 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 6055 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20255867
April 20255359
March 20255683
February 20254820
January 20255319
December 20245380
November 20245259
October 20245351
September 20245447
August 202432
July 20246055

A total of 7597 Public order incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 690.64 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 993 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025818
April 2025717
March 2025806
February 2025635
January 2025684
December 2024735
November 2024709
October 2024722
September 2024770
August 20248
July 2024993

A total of 10749 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 977.18 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 1260 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251133
April 20251059
March 20251019
February 20251021
January 2025986
December 20241009
November 2024917
October 20241122
September 20241220
August 20243
July 20241260

A total of 9443 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 858.45 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 1283 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251026
April 2025918
March 2025971
February 2025777
January 2025870
December 2024877
November 2024813
October 2024947
September 2024954
August 20247
July 20241283

A total of 1628 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 148.00 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 197 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025164
April 2025173
March 2025125
February 2025134
January 2025121
December 2024196
November 2024197
October 2024197
September 2024166
August 20248
July 2024147

A total of 3315 Robbery incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 301.36 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 433 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025362
April 2025367
March 2025273
February 2025258
January 2025288
December 2024297
November 2024295
October 2024433
September 2024342
August 20243
July 2024397

A total of 4308 Drugs incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 391.64 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 481 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025443
April 2025419
March 2025443
February 2025451
January 2025481
December 2024409
November 2024453
October 2024426
September 2024411
August 20245
July 2024367

A total of 2559 Other crime incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 232.64 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 296 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025261
April 2025243
March 2025263
February 2025264
January 2025274
December 2024228
November 2024241
October 2024232
September 2024251
August 20246
July 2024296

A total of 13824 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 1256.73 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 1566 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 20251233
April 20251406
March 20251566
February 20251363
January 20251307
December 20241316
November 20241376
October 20241479
September 20241448
August 20241
July 20241329

A total of 2878 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 261.64 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 349 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025349
April 2025282
March 2025321
February 2025259
January 2025242
December 2024272
November 2024258
October 2024287
September 2024312
August 20241
July 2024295

A total of 8634 Other theft incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 784.91 incidents per month. September 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 1074 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025823
April 2025802
March 2025775
February 2025732
January 2025789
December 2024850
November 2024850
October 2024921
September 20241074
August 20247
July 20241011

A total of 6585 Burglary incidents were recorded over 11 month period, averaging 598.64 incidents per month. October 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 767 reported cases.

MonthCount
May 2025558
April 2025606
March 2025577
February 2025626
January 2025633
December 2024700
November 2024733
October 2024767
September 2024705
August 20241
July 2024679

High Crime Locations Birmingham in May 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Birmingham postcode area is presented below.

1. Worcester Street (Map)
Total318
Shoplifting159
Violence and sexual offences42
Anti-social behaviour24
Possession of weapons15
Other theft15
Drugs15
Robbery12
Other crime12
Public order9
Criminal damage and arson9
Theft from the person6
2. Supermarket (Map)
Total213
Violence and sexual offences147
Anti-social behaviour24
Robbery9
Theft from the person6
Public order6
Drugs6
Criminal damage and arson6
Vehicle crime3
Possession of weapons3
Other theft3
3. High Street (Map)
Total213
Shoplifting108
Violence and sexual offences24
Public order24
Anti-social behaviour21
Other theft15
Drugs6
Criminal damage and arson6
Theft from the person3
Robbery3
Burglary3
4. New Street (Map)
Total210
Violence and sexual offences72
Shoplifting48
Anti-social behaviour18
Other theft15
Theft from the person12
Public order12
Possession of weapons12
Drugs9
Criminal damage and arson6
Robbery3
Burglary3
5. Shopping Area (Map)
Total105
Shoplifting27
Violence and sexual offences21
Public order12
Anti-social behaviour12
Drugs9
Robbery6
Other theft6
Bicycle theft6
Theft from the person3
Possession of weapons3
6. Parking Area (Map)
Total84
Violence and sexual offences27
Theft from the person12
Robbery9
Drugs9
Criminal damage and arson9
Anti-social behaviour9
Vehicle crime3
Possession of weapons3
Other crime3

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.