Researching the safest places in the UK is a natural part of finding the ideal location to start a family, or set up a business. Understandably so – the cost for victims of crime is not only financial but emotional, and can leave you feeling stressed or unsafe in your home or workplace.
That’s where our comprehensive overview comes in. At Churchill Support Services, we’re passionate about providing clarity and information for businesses and families alike, and our exploration of crime statistics across the UK aims to do just that.
Our background as one of the UK’s leading security providers means we’re well-equipped to provide the all-important data you need, and with our guidance, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on the ideal place for you.
We’ll be sourcing our data from the ONS’ most recent report, which collates police data from across the UK, in order to provide a totally objective and factual overview of the safest areas of the country. We employed similarly robust research for our recent look at the most dangerous areas in the UK.
The data will be displayed as the amount of crimes per 1000 residents. This is so that we can take a comprehensive look at each region, and adjust it as necessary for population and area size. All of this allows us to provide a more complete report on the safest areas of the UK.
One of England’s most historic counties, with deep-rooted origins in Roman and Saxon culture, Sussex offers much to draw visitors outside of its lower crime rate. With the premier seaside destination of Brighton being a huge hub for tourism, and the rolling hills of the South Downs harbouring quaint villages and towns, it’s an amalgam of culture and coast.
Plus, with the tenth lowest crime rate on our list at 72.9 crimes per 1000 residents, it’s easy to see what draws businesses and families alike to the county. Sussex’s most common crime is violence against the person (42,365 incidents over the last year), making up nearly 38% of crime in the area.
A standout stat for Sussex security is the much lower rate of domestic burglary (1.5 incidents per 1000 people), which is the second lowest across the whole of the UK.
As the collective policing name given to the counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire, West Mercia occupies the ninth spot on our list.
It’s one of the more diverse areas of the country. Veined with the rivers Severn and Wye, and punctuated with a huge variety of charming villages, towns and cities that include Hereford and Worcester, West Mercia represents a great option for both businesses and families.
Plus, with one of the lower crime rates across the UK at 72.1 crimes per 1000 people, the region combines security and safety with a thriving economy and areas of outstanding natural beauty. This is best epitomised by the area’s low rate of criminal damage, with just 7 incidents per 1000 people.
The birthplace of William Shakespeare, Warwickshire’s illustrious luminaries strengthen the rich tapestry of the area’s history. With visible roots in the medieval era thanks to the well-preserved castles and forts, the county offers an enriching cultural experience for both visitors and businesses alike.
Its central hubs of Warwick and Royal Leamington Spa are well-maintained, and their individual data matches closely with the county’s overall crime rate of 71.3 crimes per 1000 residents. Approximately 39% of those crimes were violent in nature, which shows the continued need for Warwickshire security.
However, there are areas of good positivity for the area, with it having one of the lowest rates of rates of theft from the person (0.4 incidents per 1000 people) across the whole of the UK.
One of England’s easternmost counties, and home to a rugged, cliff-edge coastline, Suffolk is a green and verdant corner of English soil. Its picturesque beauty often veils the county’s strong sense of industry and business, with Felixstowe and Ipswich being two major centres of trade in the East of England.
Suffolk’s obvious draws aren’t overshadowed by a distressing crime rate either, with the county having a modest rate of 69.4 crimes per 1000 people. Of course, this still prompts an increased focus on Suffolk security, with the bulk of that rate being made up by violence against the person (this makes up 43.5% of the total).
One major caveat with that statistic is that, despite the high rate of violence in the county, Suffolk boasts one of the lowest rates of violence with injury, at just 8.2 incidents per 1000 people.
When we think of Dorset, we often imagine sweeping coastlines and seafaring towns, set to the backdrop of crashing tides and cawing gulls. And that’s true, but it downplays the county’s strong links to industry and commerce, particularly with large towns like Bournemouth occupying a thriving space on the southern coast of England. These spaces often present a huge draw for businesses and families alike, and with increased investment in infrastructure, Dorset is only going to continue growing.
And, while you might expect the crime rate to grow alongside the county’s development, it’s actually stayed relatively consistent, hovering at 65.8 crimes per 1000 people. The bulk of this statistic comes from violence against the person, which sits at 25.7 crimes per 1000 residents.
Dorset’s real shining crime statistic, though, is its exceptionally low rate of drug offences, where it ranks the lowest in the country with just 1.4 incidents per 1000 people.
One of the traditional home counties, Hertfordshire offers far more than an easy commuter route into London. The county is heavily anchored in Roman history, and the architecture and preservation of towns like St Albans paints a rich cultural picture that’s entwined with the modernity and business of areas like Watford.
It’s this melding of culture that solidifies Hertfordshire’s lower crime rate, occupying the fifth spot on our list with 63.3 crimes per 1000 people. What makes the county unique in terms of crime rate, though, is that there’s even statistics on both theft and violence against the person (both have a rate of 23.2 incidents per 1000 people).
What really helps affirm the security of Hertfordshire is its low rate of sexual offences (2.2 crimes per 1000 people), where it ties joint lowest across the whole of the UK.
Statistically one of the greenest counties across the UK, Surrey’s percentage of foliage and florae only tells a partial story about the county’s overall attraction. With the storied history of towns like Guildford and Woking, coupled with the county’s abundance of lush walking trails and riverbank marshes, Surrey’s appeal goes far beyond greenery.
And with a low crime rate to match (just 59.7 crimes per 1000 people), the appeal of the area is immediately apparent. The key statistic for families and businesses alike is its figures on violence against the person – the lowest in the country at just 22.1 incidents per 1000 people.
Low statistics on shoplifting (3 incidents per 1000 people) also help assure Surrey security and safety, particularly for those just starting out in business.
As one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK, the draws of the Devonshire coastline are infamous. From surfing hotspots on cove and coastlines, to bespoke B&Bs and budding businesses, it’s natural that many would look to Devon and Cornwall as their pick for the safest area of the UK.
And its crime rate matches that distinguished reputation, sitting at 3rd on our list with just 58.9 crimes per 1000 people. Violent crime is (as with many of the regions across the UK) the most common occurrence across both Devon and Cornwall, with 26.4 incidents per 1000 residents, but this only tells a partial story.
The area’s real draw for business security, though, is the significantly lower rate of theft and burglary, with Devon and Cornwall’s policing report showing just 12 offences per 1000 people.
Comprising weathered coastlines, ancient monasteries, and areas of exceptional natural beauty, North Yorkshire has arguably the most diverse landscape of any of the safest areas in the UK. And with thriving towns like Scarborough and Harrogate, as well as the labyrinthine city streets of York, it’s an area that offers true development and growth.
Plus, with the second lowest crime rate on the list at 58.5 crimes per 1000 people, North Yorkshire is also a much safer option than much of the UK for both families and businesses. The chief contributor to this rate is violent crime, which makes up 25 crimes per 1000 people, but statistics across the board remain steady.
In fact, one real area to highlight is North Yorkshire’s exceptionally low rate of robbery (0.3 crimes per 1000 people), which makes it an ideal choice if you’re considering Yorkshire business security.
Officially the UK’s safest area, and one that offers something to appease all walks of like, the historic county of Wiltshire is perhaps best known for its ancient history. The Neolithic monoliths of Stonehenge and Avebury provide a key glimpse into the distant past of what is now a thoroughly modernised county, especially with growing areas like Swindon and Salisbury leading the charge.
And with strengthened Wiltshire security, and good streams of investment for local economies, the crime rate has stayed consistently low, with 58.1 crimes per 1000 people. This is predominantly made up by violence against the person (with 24.1 incidents per 1000 people), but the rest of the crime stats remain low across the board.
Wiltshire is particularly secure in its control of drug crime (1.5 offences per 1000 people), and weapon possession (0.6 offences per 1000 people), meaning it represents a calm and safe place to set down your roots.
While we’ve explored the safest places to live and work in the UK, it’s only through continued investment in security services, as well as vigilant and watchful communities, that they’re able to retain these spots on our list.
And, as we’ve seen in our previous articles on the most dangerous areas in London and Yorkshire, crime rates are constantly fluctuating, meaning that there’s never a better time than the present to ensure you’ve got a robust security plan in place.
By choosing a security provider like Churchill, you’ll work alongside us to create a security solution that’s specifically designed for your business or premises. This could include expertly trained security guards that offer complete peace of mind, a bespoke CCTV system, or sophisticated access control systems that include biometric and facial recognition technology.
Building a package that suits you also means you’ll have access to our signature 24/7/365 service, and an unmatched response time to alarms and disturbances of just 30 minutes, day or night. We’ve been the industry’s leader for over 25 years, and in that time, we’ve developed a comprehensive understanding of how we can best protect businesses of all shapes and sizes.
Get in touch today to see how we can create a tailormade package that both supports the security and safety of your enterprise, and ensures you can continue to plan for the future without the stress of financial impact.
