If your business operates in Halifax — read this first
Halifax has the highest burglary rate in West Yorkshire. The crime statistics on this page directly affect your security requirements and insurance obligations. Get professional cover in place before something goes wrong.
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Halifax is one of the most dangerous towns in West Yorkshire, and the data confirms it. With an overall crime rate of 157.52 crimes per 1,000 people and nearly 13,914 criminal offences recorded in 2024, Halifax consistently ranks among the highest-crime locations in the region. It also features prominently in our wider guide to the most dangerous areas in Yorkshire.
Halifax is famous for its historical significance, the Piece Hall, its role in the wool trade, and its association with the Brontë family and filming locations used in BBC productions. Its cultural profile has risen significantly with the City of Culture calendar. But its crime problem, particularly violence, commercial burglary, and public disorder, affects businesses and residents across the town every week.
This guide breaks down the 9 most dangerous areas in Halifax by ward, using the latest available crime data, so you can understand exactly where risk is concentrated and what professional security measures address each area effectively.
Key Takeaways
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High Crime Rate: Halifax records a crime rate of 157.52 crimes per 1,000 people, based on the latest data.
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Rising Offences: In 2024 alone, Halifax experienced nearly 13,914 criminal offences.
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Worst areas in Halifax: 9 high-crime areas including Ovenden, Illingworth and Mixenden, Warley, Park, and Town.
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National Comparison: Halifax currently has the highest crime rate compared to major UK cities such as the City of London, Tower Hamlets, Camden, and Liverpool.
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The most common and prominent crimes in Halifax are violence and sexual offences, public order offences, and criminal damage and arson.
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Stay Safe: Use guards, CCTV, alarms, vacant property, and keyholding.
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Security Services: Guard Mark Security offers expert protection in West Yorkshire.
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Source: Crime Rates
- Key Takeaways
- What’s the overall crime rate in Halifax?
- Most Common Crime Types in Halifax
- Revealed: Top 9 Most Dangerous Areas in Halifax
- Halifax Crime Comparison with Other Major Cities of the UK
- How Have We Sourced This Data?
- What Halifax’s Crime Rates Mean for Your Business
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Guard Mark Security — Protecting Halifax Businesses
What’s the overall crime rate in Halifax?
Halifax is one of the major areas in West Yorkshire and is mostly known for its historical significance, cultural and architectural landmarks, industry and commerce, and some other notable aspects, including Rugby League, “Gentleman Jack” Filming Location, and more.
But alongside its charm, Halifax is also facing growing concerns around crime.
— Halifax overall
recorded in Halifax 2024
West Yorkshire
Ovenden (worst ward)
Crime Rate Snapshot:
According to the most recent data:
| Year | Crime Rate (per 1,000 people) | Total Reported Offences |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 175.48 | 15,501 |
| 2023 | 172.75 | 15,260 |
| 2024 | 157.52 | 13,914 |
While there has been a slight decrease in the crime rate over the past two years, Halifax still ranks as one of the most dangerous areas in West Yorkshire.
Halifax vs. West Yorkshire:
| Location | Crime Rate (per 1,000 people) |
|---|---|
| Halifax | 157.52 |
| West Yorkshire | 119.26 |
Most Common Crime Types in Halifax
Understanding the dominant crime categories across Halifax helps businesses and residents make the right security decisions:
| Crime Type | Number of Offences/Incidents |
|---|---|
| Violence and Sexual Offences | 6,453 |
| Public Order | 1,471 |
| Criminal Damage and Arson | 1,167 |
| Shoplifting | 1,046 |
| Anti-Social Behaviour | 1,091 |
| Other Theft | 960 |
| Vehicle Crime | 732 |
| Drugs | 625 |
| Burglary | 620 |
| Other Crime | 463 |
| Possession of Weapons | 141 |
| Theft from the Person | 115 |
| Robbery | 90 |
| Bicycle Theft | 31 |
Violence and sexual offences are some of the crime types people in Halifax face the most. Now that we have the overall crime rates in Halifax, let’s discuss the most dangerous areas in Halifax to get a clearer picture for better understanding.
Revealed: Top 9 Most Dangerous Areas in Halifax
Here is the list of the top and worst areas in Halifax:
1- Ovenden
Ovenden is the highest-crime ward in Halifax. Located in the north of the town, the area is largely residential with an industrial background, but its crime statistics make it the most significant security risk in the Halifax area by a clear margin.
Crime rate: 223 per 1,000 people. In the 12 months to September 2024, Ovenden recorded 2,108 criminal offences. The dominant crime types are violence and sexual offences, other theft, and public order offences — all with direct commercial implications.
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Violence and sexual offences — highest-volume crime type in Ovenden
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Other theft — shoplifting, from-person theft, and opportunistic commercial theft
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Public order offences — creating an environment that raises risk for any business with a public-facing element
| BUSINESSES IN OVENDEN — HIGHEST-CRIME WARD IN HALIFAX With 223 crimes per 1,000 people, Ovenden carries the most concentrated crime risk in Halifax. Professional out-of-hours security is not optional for commercial premises here. Guard Mark Security’s Halifax team provides SIA-licenced keyholding, alarm response, and mobile patrol visits with randomised timing that disrupts organised criminal reconnaissance before a plan is ever formed. |
2- Illingworth and Mixenden
156 Crimes Per 1,000 People | 1,631 Total Criminal Incidents
Located in the northwest of Halifax, Illingworth and Mixenden have a strong residential and historical character alongside an industrial base. The ward consistently records the second-highest crime rate in Halifax.
Crime rate: 156 per 1,000 people. The most common crimes are violence, criminal damage, and anti-social behaviour. Industrial and commercial premises on the outskirts of these wards, particularly warehouses and storage facilities with low overnight footfall — face heightened risk from organised after-hours targeting.
| BUSINESSES IN ILLINGWORTH & MIXENDEN Warehouses and industrial units in this area are frequently targeted after dark by groups operating across West Yorkshire. Professional keyholding and alarm response ensures your premises receives a trained SIA-licenced response within a guaranteed window, not a 40-minute wait for a staff member to drive over at 2am. Cover starts from £2.50/day with no separate callout fees. |
3- Warley
153 Crimes Per 1,000 People | 1,469 Total Criminal Incidents
Warley covers a significant area to the west and northwest of Halifax, combining residential streets, commercial areas, and notable green spaces. The ward consistently records the third-highest crime rate in the town.
Crime rate: 153 per 1,000 people. Approximately 1,469 offences were recorded in the last 12 months. Violence and sexual offences, public order, and criminal damage and arson are the dominant categories. The arson figure is particularly relevant for commercial property owners — unoccupied or partially occupied premises in high-crime areas are disproportionately targeted.
| BUSINESSES IN WARLEY Commercial premises in Warley with overnight stock exposure or unoccupied periods benefit significantly from combining mobile patrol coverage with professional keyholding. Randomised patrol times prevent organised groups from identifying safe windows between fixed visits. |
4- Park
148 Crimes Per 1,000 People | 2,651 Total Criminal Incidents
Park is one of the famous wards in Halifax, mostly known for its multicultural community, Calderdale College, historical development, retail and industrial mix, community spirit, and heritage buildings.
When looking at the Crime trends in Park, it is 148 crimes per 1,000 people, making it one of the high-crime cities in Halifax. Additionally, the area has faced almost 2,651 criminal offences and incidents.
High-incidence crimes in Park are violence and sexual offences, public order offences, and drug offences.
| RETAIL AND COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES IN THE PARK WARD The combination of retail concentration and elevated public order risk makes Park a priority for professional security cover. Guard Mark Security’s Halifax team provides SIA-licenced manned guarding, keyholding, and CCTV monitoring tailored to retail and commercial premises in this area. |
5- Town
144 Crimes Per 1,000 People | 4,259 Total Criminal Incidents
The Town ward covers Halifax city centre and the surrounding commercial and retail core. As the primary commercial hub of Halifax, it carries the highest footfall in the town — and the widest variety of crime types that come with high-density urban environments.
Violence, theft from the person, shoplifting, and public order offences all feature prominently in the Town ward. The evening economy — concentrated around the Piece Hall, bars, restaurants, and late-night retail — creates a particularly demanding security environment from Thursday through Sunday.
Licenced venues in the Town ward require SIA door supervision by law. Retail premises benefit from manned guarding during trading hours and professional keyholding for after-hours response. The combination addresses different parts of the risk profile that a city centre business faces throughout the week.
6- Skircoat
92 Crimes Per 1,000 People | 1,301 Total Criminal Incidents
Skircoat is one of the top-rated areas in Halifax, known for the Skircoat Green, Calderdale Royal Hospital, Spring Hall, Skircoat Green Conservation Area, Local Amenities, Residential Character, and more.
The crime risk factors in Skircoat indicate 92 crimes per 1,000 people, and the area has experienced nearly 1,301 criminal offences and incidents over the past 12 months, according to the latest data.
The major crime categories in Skircoat include violence and sexual offences, public order offences, and other thefts.
7- Luddendenfoot
91 Crimes Per 1,000 People | 800 Total Criminal Incidents
Luddendenfoot is one of the famous villages in Calderdale, mostly known for its Confluence of Rivers, Industrial Heritage, Luddendenfoot Railway Station, Poetic Inspiration, Local Community, and Proximity to Luddenden Village.
When discussing the crime reporting in Luddendenfoot, it is 91 crimes per 1,000 people, and the statistics show that the police have recorded almost 800 criminal offences and incidents in the last 12 months.
The Prominent criminal activities in Luddendenfoot are violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson, and vehicle crime offences.
8- Sowerby Bridge
89 Crimes Per 1,000 People | 937 Total Criminal Incidents
Sowerby Bridge is well known and famous for a variety of things, including Its Location at the Confluence, Industrial Heritage, Filming Location, Sowerby Bridge Wharf, Rushbearing Festival, Sowerby Bridge Market, Notable Residents, and Architectural Heritage.
When talking about the overall crime rate in Sowerby Bridge, it is 89 crimes per 1,000 people, making it slightly dangerous in Halifax. Moreover, the residents of the area have faced almost 937 criminal offences and incidents in the last 12 months year ending September 2024.
The most common and prominent crimes in Sowerby Bridge are violence and sexual offences, public order offences, and criminal damage and arson.
9- Northowram and Shelf
86 Crimes Per 1,000 People | 748 Total Criminal Incidents
Northowram and Shelf is one of the high-traffic wards in Halifax and is famous for its Historical Township, St. Matthew’s Church, Industrial Past, Shelf Old Hall, Notable Residents, and more.
When talking about the regional crime data in Northowram and Shelf, it is 86 crimes per 1,000 people, and the residents have faced almost 748 criminal and illegal offences in the last 12 months, as per the most recent and fresh batch of data we have.
Moreover, when discussing the most prominent criminal activities that happened in Northowram and Shelf in the last 12 months, they’re violence and sexual offences, vehicle crime offences, and burglary incidents.
Halifax Crime Comparison with Other Major Cities of the UK
When compared with some other major cities of the UK, including the City of London, Tower Hamlets, Sheffield, Birmingham, Liverpool, and more, Halifax’s crime rate is the highest among them. Here is the crime rate comparison with the crime rates and safety comparison:
| City | Crime Rate (Per 1,000 People) | Safety Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| City of London | 28.93 | 82% safer than Halifax |
| Tower Hamlets | 98.60 | 37% safer than Halifax |
| Sheffield | 102.94 | 35% safer than Halifax |
| Camden | 108.07 | 31% safer than Halifax |
| Nottingham | 110.86 | 30% safer than Halifax |
| Liverpool | 124.42 | 21% safer than Halifax |
| Birmingham | 128.63 | 18% safer than Halifax |
| Bristol | 130.84 | 17% safer than Halifax |
| Westminster | 132.94 | 16% safer than Halifax |
| Leeds | 139.98 | 11% safer than Halifax |
| Halifax | 157.52 | – |
How Have We Sourced This Data?
At Guard Mark Security, we always try our best to provide the most trusted and authentic data to ensure you get everything legit. To write the article on the most dangerous areas in Halifax, we have analysed and sourced all statistics from “Crime Rate”.
Crime Rate is one of the most legitimate platforms that provides the crime rates and statistics of the different regions, cities, and towns in the UK. You can visit their website by clicking on the provided link and ensure all the data and statistics we have provided are true and legitimate.
Source: Crime Rates
What Halifax’s Crime Rates Mean for Your Business
Halifax’s crime rate of 157.52 per 1,000 people places it among the most demanding security environments for commercial businesses in West Yorkshire. The ward-by-ward breakdown matters because it shapes what type of security is most effective for your specific location.
Security measures Halifax businesses should have in place
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Professional keyholding and alarm response — converts your alarm system from a passive notification into an active professional response. When your alarm fires at 2am, an SIA-licenced operative attends — not you or a staff member. From £2.50/day with no callout fees.
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Mobile patrol services — randomised visits throughout the night disrupt organised criminal groups who conduct advance reconnaissance. Particularly effective for Ovenden, Illingworth, and Warley.
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Manned security guards — for retail premises, licensed venues, and commercial sites during high-risk trading hours or overnight periods.
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CCTV monitoring — provides a visible deterrent and an evidence trail supporting police investigations and insurance claims.
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Door supervision — legally required for any licensed venue in Halifax and essential for managing the elevated public order risk in the Town ward and Park.
| Halifax recorded 216 burglaries in a single month in 2024 — the highest of any town in West Yorkshire. A single commercial break-in costs a Halifax business between £5,000 and £30,000 once stock loss, emergency glazing, alarm repair, insurance excess, and disruption are accounted for. Professional keyholding costs £2.50/day. That is £912 per year for full 24/7 alarm response cover. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1- What security do Halifax businesses need?
The most effective setup for most Halifax businesses combines professional keyholding and alarm response for after-hours cover with mobile patrols for unpredictable visible deterrence. Higher-risk or public-facing sites add manned security guards.
2- How much does security cost for a Halifax business?
Guard Mark Security keyholding starts at £2.50 per day (£76/month) with no separate callout fees. Mobile patrols start from £25 per visit. Manned security guards start from £16.89 per hour. All operatives are SIA-licenced and BS7858-vetted.
3- Which is the most dangerous area in Halifax?
Ovenden is the most dangerous and worst area in Halifax when talking about the crime rates and illegal activities. The overall crime rate in Ovenden is 223 crimes per 1,000 people, and the residents have faced almost 2,108 criminal offences and incidents in the last 12 months year ending September 2024.
4- Which is the safest area in Halifax?
Northowram and Shelf is the ward that is safest in Halifax as compared to others, including Ovenden, Illingworth and Mixenden, Warley, Park, and Town. The overall crime rate in Northowram and Shelf is 86 crimes per 1,000 people, making it the safest area in Halifax.
5- How does Halifax compare to other dangerous areas in West Yorkshire?
Halifax’s rate of 157.52 crimes per 1,000 people places it among the most challenging environments in West Yorkshire. For a full regional comparison, see the most dangerous areas in Yorkshire and the most dangerous areas in Bradford.
6- What types of crimes are most common in Halifax?
The most common crimes in Halifax are:
1- Violence and Sexual Offences (6,453 offences)
2- Public Order Offences (1,471 offences)
3- Criminal Damage and Arson (1,167 incidents)
4- Anti-Social Behaviour (1,091 incidents)
5- Shoplifting (1,046 offences)
7- Has crime in Halifax increased or decreased in recent years?
Crime in Halifax has been decreasing slightly in recent years. The crime rate peaked in 2022 at 175.48 crimes per 1,000 people (15,501 criminal offences), decreased slightly to 172.75 in 2023 (15,260 offences), and has further decreased to 157.52 crimes per 1,000 people in 2024.
8- What security measures are recommended for businesses in Halifax?
Given the high crime rates, businesses in Halifax should consider professional security services such as security guarding, CCTV monitoring, mobile CCTV towers, door supervision, mobile patrol services, and keyholding services.
It’s recommended to hire SIA-licenced and BS 7858-vetted security personnel to ensure the protection of business establishments, employees, customers, and assets.
9- What is the economic impact of high crime rates on Halifax’s business community?
The high crime rates in Halifax negatively impact the local business community through increased security costs, higher insurance premiums, property damage expenses, and reduced customer traffic in high-crime areas.
10- What safety precautions should visitors to Halifax take?
Visitors to Halifax should take several safety precautions, including avoiding the highest crime areas like Ovenden and parts of the Town ward, especially after dark.
It’s advisable to secure valuables, use reputable accommodations with good security measures, and be vigilant in crowded areas to prevent theft from the person.
11- Is Halifax a safe place for businesses?
Halifax presents significant security challenges for commercial businesses. With a crime rate of 157.52 per 1,000 people and the highest burglary rate in West Yorkshire, businesses in Halifax — particularly in Ovenden, Illingworth, Warley, and the Town ward — need professional security arrangements in place. Guard Mark Security provides Halifax-specific keyholding, patrol, and guarding services across all wards.
Guard Mark Security — Protecting Halifax Businesses
Guard Mark Security provides professional security services across West Yorkshire and the North. Our Halifax security team covers all nine wards listed above with SIA-licenced operatives, BS7858-vetted staff, and full public liability insurance. We are an SIA Approved Contractor — the company-level accreditation that confirms we operate within the full regulatory framework of the UK security industry.
