Crime Rate in Leeds: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Leeds

The total recorded crimes in Leeds, Leeds in January 2025 are around 8,856 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Leeds crime rate of 10.91 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 Leeds, encompassing approximately 811,953 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jan were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (3488) incidents (-4.31% decrease)
  • Shoplifting: (953) incidents (2.69% increase)
  • Public order: (701) incidents (7.85% increase)
Leeds Crime Hotspots

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

  • Millshaw Road with total crimes: 60
  • Merrion Way with total crimes: 58
  • Police Station with total crimes: 54

Leeds Police Info:

West Yorkshire Police

How safe is Leeds?

To understand the safety of Leeds, we need to analyze Leeds 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:

    • Leeds has recorded 132,027 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 162.60 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 18 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is more dangerous than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 128,903 crimes with a crime rate of 158.76, ranking it 17 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to West Yorkshire:

    • In 2024, Leeds reported a higher crime volume than the West Yorkshire average, with 132,027 crimes compared to 69,783. This indicates a potentially challenging safety environment in the region for the year. Additionally, Leeds recorded fewer crimes than 4 out of 4 other cities.

    • In 2023, Leeds experienced a greater number of crimes than the West Yorkshire average, with 128,903 crimes compared to 67,868. This indicates a higher crime burden for the city in the region during this period. Additionally, Leeds recorded fewer crimes than 4 out of 4 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

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

    • Compared to other cities in West Yorkshire, Leeds has a higher crime rate in 2024.

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

Leeds Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Little London & Woodhouse (1320 crimes), and the safest, Harewood (48 crimes), is 1272 crimes. This substantial difference indicates a significant disparity in safety across Leeds.

Similarly, the area of Leeds City Centre (1297 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Wetherby West (13 crimes), with a difference of 1284 crimes. This substantial difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Leeds.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Little London & Woodhouse1320
Hunslet & Riverside895
Gipton & Harehills497
Killingbeck & Seacroft448
Middleton Park370

Safest Wards:

Guiseley & Rawdon128
Wetherby117
Moortown113
Garforth & Swillington104
Harewood48

Most Dangerous Areas:

Leeds City Centre1297
Lincoln Green & St James290
University & Little Woodhouse213
Armley & New Wortley178
Kirkstall176

Safest Areas:

Aberford, Barwick & Thorner20
Roundhay West19
Collingham, Rigton & Harewood18
Scarcroft, Shadwell & Scholes16
Wetherby West13

Leeds Crime Statstics

In January 2025 the Leeds has recorded 8,856 crimes with crime rate of 10.91 ranking 31th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 1 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 2 in terms of crime rate in West Yorkshire.

In 2024, the total Leeds crimes were 132,027. The crime rate of Leeds in 2024 was 162.60 (year) or 13.55 (month) ranking it 18 danzarous in the UK. Leeds ranked 1 in terms of total crimes and 1 in terms of crime rate in West Yorkshire.

In 2023, the total crimes in Leeds were around 128,903 crimes with yearly crime rate of 158.76 (year) or 13.23 (month) ranking 17 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in West Yorkshire, Leeds ranked 1 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 1 as per crime rate of Leeds

CityJanuary 202520242023
CrimesRank (West Yorkshire)CrimesRank (West Yorkshire)CrimesRank (West Yorkshire)
Kirklees3,472 551,584 551,990 5
Calderdale1,943 428,196 426,449 4
Wakefield3,484 351,475 348,858 3
Bradford6,302 185,632 283,138 2

Leeds Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (3488 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (953 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 3645 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 928 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (3668 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (1126 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (3841 incidents), followed by Shoplifting also remained a significant concern (1165 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (3563 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Shoplifting (982 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (3783 incidents) and then Shoplifting showed a substantial number of incidents (1114 incidents).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 3826 incidents, and Shoplifting was another prevalent crime category with 994 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (7608 reports) and Shoplifting incidents were also notably high (1844 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 7478 Public order incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 934.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 1732 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025701
December 2024650
November 2024824
October 2024806
September 2024852
August 2024987
July 2024926
June 20241732

A total of 955 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 119.38 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 336 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202544
December 202466
November 202465
October 2024112
September 202491
August 2024119
July 2024122
June 2024336

A total of 2444 Other crime incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 305.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 566 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025318
December 2024266
November 2024279
October 2024247
September 2024280
August 2024218
July 2024270
June 2024566

A total of 1165 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 145.62 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 306 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025106
December 2024136
November 2024114
October 2024124
September 2024117
August 2024131
July 2024131
June 2024306

A total of 5536 Burglary incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 692.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 1190 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025455
December 2024649
November 2024584
October 2024665
September 2024693
August 2024576
July 2024724
June 20241190

A total of 33422 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 4177.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 7608 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 20253488
December 20243645
November 20243668
October 20243841
September 20243563
August 20243783
July 20243826
June 20247608

A total of 6377 Other theft incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 797.12 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 1508 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025655
December 2024743
November 2024698
October 2024686
September 2024616
August 2024710
July 2024761
June 20241508

A total of 740 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 92.50 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 166 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 202581
December 202482
November 202483
October 202483
September 202476
August 202486
July 202483
June 2024166

A total of 1385 Robbery incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 173.12 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 350 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025158
December 2024131
November 2024142
October 2024161
September 2024147
August 2024136
July 2024160
June 2024350

A total of 2438 Drugs incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 304.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 540 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025276
December 2024296
November 2024296
October 2024257
September 2024261
August 2024253
July 2024259
June 2024540

A total of 6329 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 791.12 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 1632 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025535
December 2024551
November 2024586
October 2024720
September 2024780
August 2024677
July 2024848
June 20241632

A total of 7222 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 902.75 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 1826 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025528
December 2024516
November 2024747
October 2024944
September 2024780
August 2024944
July 2024937
June 20241826

A total of 9106 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 1138.25 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 1844 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025953
December 2024928
November 20241126
October 20241165
September 2024982
August 20241114
July 2024994
June 20241844

A total of 6273 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 8 month period, averaging 784.12 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 1482 reported cases.

MonthCount
January 2025558
December 2024634
November 2024646
October 2024698
September 2024671
August 2024790
July 2024794
June 20241482

High Crime Locations Leeds in January 2025

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

1. Millshaw Road (Map)
Total60
Shoplifting34
Violence and sexual offences8
Public order8
Other crime4
Other theft3
Drugs3
2. Merrion Way (Map)
Total58
Shoplifting50
Public order4
Theft from the person2
Robbery2
3. Police Station (Map)
Total54
Violence and sexual offences18
Public order16
Drugs12
Criminal damage and arson6
Possession of weapons2
4. Central Road (Map)
Total53
Shoplifting47
Public order4
Drugs2
5. Duncan Street (Map)
Total52
Violence and sexual offences26
Shoplifting8
Other theft7
Public order6
Criminal damage and arson3
Possession of weapons2
6. Shopping Area (Map)
Total48
Shoplifting16
Violence and sexual offences9
Public order8
Burglary5
Anti-social behaviour4
Criminal damage and arson3
Drugs2
Theft from the person1

  • 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.