Top 12 Crime Rates in Leeds 2025

Undoubtedly, Leeds is one of the areas of significant importance and contributes to West Yorkshire’s economy by a huge margin. Leeds is mostly famous for its Victorian arcades and historical sites. When talking about the Victorian Arcades in Leeds, you can visit the Grand Arcade, Queens Arcade, and Thornton’s Arcade.

Moreover, the unique and prominent historical sites include Leeds Civic Hall and Leeds Central Library. Besides these buildings and arcades, you can explore the Royal Armouries Museum, Kirkstall Abbey, Temple Newsam, Leeds Art Gallery, and Roundhay Park.

Leeds also has some of the most famous and renowned businesses including Asda, Marks & Spencer, Airedale International Air Conditioning, Northern Foods, KPMG, PWC, Dart Group PLC, Rockstar Games, and more.

Despite having such positive and amazing attributes, Leeds is facing some of the major crimes and illegal activities. In this blog, we are going to discuss the overall crime rate and the most dangerous areas in Leeds. Buckle up and let’s dive into this world of crime to see what actually is happening in Leeds.

But before diving into the top 12 most dangerous areas of Leeds, let’s discuss the overall crime rate of Leeds.

Leeds Overall Crime Rate

You might know that West Yorkshire has 118 towns, villages, and cities and Leeds is one of the most important and famous cities. However, when talking about the crime rates and illegal activities, Leeds is one of the most dangerous and is always on the list of the top 20 most dangerous areas in West Yorkshire.

Leeds is not just famous for its arcades and historical sites but is also known for the Industrial Revolution. You might be shocked but Leeds is the first city that provided internet to the whole of the UK. Freeserver was the first company that introduced the internet in the UK and took the technological industry to a whole new level.

But, now when we see the broader picture, the overall crime rate in Leeds has been increasing in the last 10 years and has impacted its global reputation by a huge margin. According to the Crime Rate (a reputable and trusted crime statistics platform in the UK), in 2023, the overall crime rate in Leeds was 150 crimes per 1,000 people.

When we compare the crime rates of Leeds with the whole of West Yorkshire, it’s 17% higher which is highly concerning. Moreover, when looking at the statistics from the UK police in 2024, the overall crime rate in Leeds is 135.7 crimes per 1,000 people which means the crime rate has slightly declined in the last year.

In 2022, the overall crime rate in Leeds was 172.4 per 1000 population. But with time, the crime rate is increasing. There were 88,120 illegal and criminal incidents that happened in Leeds. In the whole of West Yorkshire, Leeds has a criminal rate of 27% which is higher than all other cities.

Activities like criminal damage, anti-social behaviour, and violent crimes are the main issues in Leeds and are increasing with the passage of time. Again the local authorities and police are trying hard to implement new laws and forcing people to obey. Let’s dive deep and check out the 12 roughest areas in Leeds one by one.

Most Prominent Crimes in Leeds

Here is the list of the most prominent crimes that happened in Leeds in 2024:

Violent Crime: 41,385 Incidents
Public Order Offences: 9,590 Incidents
Antisocial Behaviour: 8,902 Incidents
Criminal Damage: 8,027 Incidents
Shoplifting: 10,564 Incidents

Top 15 Most Dangerous Areas in Leeds

Here are the top 15 areas with the worst crime rate and illegal activities in Leeds:

1- Little London & Woodhouse

Crime Rates: 817.3 Per 1,000 People

Little London & Woodhouse are the famous areas in Leeds and are well known for their contributions to history and architecture. In the 19th century, Little London was renowned for its fashion industry and was well-recognised around the globe for its fashion contributions.

When talking about Woodhouse, it used to be a large village but now the area includes the University of Leeds, Woodhouse Moor, Woodhouse Ridge, and the Forest of Leeds. Despite having such positive attributes, the crime rate in the areas is increasing. The overall crime rate in Little London & Woodhouse is 817.3 Crimes Per 1,000 people.

Most Common Crimes in Little London & Woodhouse

Shoplifting: 2,594 Offences
Violent Crimes: 3,790 Offences
Public Order Crimes: 1,283 Offences
Burglary: 609 Offences

2- Hunslet and Riverside

Crime Rates: 512.2 Per 1,000 People

Hunslet, Riverside & City Centre are well known and famous for their rich history, vibrant lifestyle, museums, history, and cultural venues. Royal Armouries Museum is one of the museums in Hunslet which contains historical weapons from all around the world.

These areas also have some of the most renowned buildings in the whole of the UK including Hunslet Mill, Temple Mill, and Leeds Minster. The City centre is famous for its Victorian arcades, shopping, and cultural venues.

But the crime in the ward is shocking and disturbing for all the residents and destroying the reputation of the ward badly. The overall crime rate here is 521.2 crimes per 1,000 people.

Most Common Crimes in Hunslet, Riverside & City Centre

Violent Crime: 3,038 Offences
Shoplifting: 917 Offences
Public Order Crimes: 804 Offences
Drug Crimes: 330 Offences

3- Gipton and Harehills

Crime Rates: 333.4 Per 1,000 People

Gipton & Harehills are famous for having diversity in the ward with mostly Asian and Afro-Caribbean communities. Moreover, these areas are well-known for their contrasting built environments and amazing levels of deprivation.

The youth population in these areas is mostly higher than in any other ward in Leeds which is also one of the major causes of increasing crime rates there. The wad contains many famous places you can visit including St Aidan’s, St Wilfrid’s, St Augustine’s, Banstead Park, and Star Fitness.

The crime rate here is also increasing which is impacting the reputation of the area badly. The overall crime rate here in Gipton & Harehills is 333.4 crimes per 1,000 people.

Most Common Crimes in Gipton & Harehills

Drug Crime: 341 Incidents
Violent Crimes: 2,497 Incidents
Public Order Offences: 518 Incidents
Criminal Damage: 474 Incidents
Antisocial Behaviour: 401 Incidents

4- Killingbeck and Seacroft

Crime Rates: 298.5 Per 1,000 People

Killingbeck & Seacroft are on the list of some most famous areas in Leeds and are renowned for their housing development, open spaces, and history.

These areas have a lot of open spaces which were planned in the 1950s and provide amazing opportunities for new home development. When talking about the other notable features, the areas have Killingbeck Fields Nature Trail, The Seacroft Green Shopping Centre, and The Receipt And Distribution Unit (RADU).

Despite having such optimistic opportunities and factors, the areas are still in the top 5 most dangerous areas in Leeds. The overall crime rate of Killingbeck & Seacroft is 298.5 crimes per 1,000 people.

Most Common Crimes in Killingbeck & Seacroft

Violent Crimes: 2,195 Offences
Shoplifting: 693 Offences
Criminal Damage: 448 Offences
Burglary: 357 Incident

5- Armley

Crime Rates: 284.3 Per 1,000 People

Armley is mostly famous for its industrial history, and museums. When discussing its industrial museums, Armley Mills is well renowned and was once the largest woollen mill in the world.

The other places of interest in Armley are Kirkstall Abbey, Trinity Leeds, Harewood House, and Leeds Tropical World. But the crime rate here is disturbing. The overall crime rate in Armley is 284.3 crimes per 1,000 people.

Most Common Crimes in Armley

Violent Crime: 2,018 Incidents
Criminal Damage: 418 Incidents
Public Order Offences: 333 Incidents
Shoplifting: 323 Incidents

6- Burmantofts and Richmond Hill

Crime Rates: 282.1 Per 1,000 People

Burmantofts & Richmond Hill are famous and well known for the historical presence of Burmantofts Pottery. Many other factors make the area famous but the crime rate here has been increasing for the past 10 years. The overall crime rate in Burmantofts & Richmond Hill is 282.1 crimes per 1,000 people.

Most Common Crimes in Burmantofts & Richmond Hill

Violent Crime: 2,275 Incidents
Public Order Offences: 406 Incidents
Criminal Damage: 400 Incidents
Burglary: 336 Incidents

7- Beeston and Holbeck

Crime Rates: 254.1 Per 1,000 People

Beeston & Holbeck is well known for its history, culture, and astonishing landmarks. When talking about the history of Beeston & Holbeck, the most prominent factor is industrial heritage and the Battle of Holbeck Moor which was a protest against a fascist march.

The notable landmarks here are Elland Road, Holbeck Conservation Area, Temple Mill, Tower Works, Holbeck Public Library, and Holbeck Working Men’s Club. The overall crime rate in Beeston & Holbeck is 254.1 crimes per 1,000 residents making it one of the most dangerous areas in Leeds.

Most Common Crimes in Beeston & Holbeck

Violent Crime: 1,776 Incidents
Criminal Damage: 395 Offences
Drug Crime: 338 Incidents
Robbery: 84 Offences

8- Middleton Park

Crime Rates: 243.5 Per 1,000 People

Middleton Park is one of the major areas of Leeds and is famous for its mining history, Middleton Railway, and ancient woodland. It is also renowned for many events including family bonfire night, heritage walks, birdwatching, bug hunts, den building, arts and crafts, theatre and musical performances, greatest breeze show, and produce show.

The crime rate in Middleton Park has been gradually increasing for the last decade and is now one of the most dangerous areas in Leeds. The overall crime rate in Middleton Park is 243.5 crimes per 1,000 people.

Most Common Crimes in Middleton Park

Violent Crime: 2,219 Offences
Antisocial Behaviour: 518 Offences
Criminal Damage: 440 Offences

9- Farnley and Wortley

Crime Rates: 223.7 Per 1,000 People

Farnley & Wortley are mostly famous for their industrial past, Farnley Wood, and the residential areas. The overall crime in Farnley & Wortley is 223.7 crimes per 1,000 people making it to the top 10 most dangerous areas in Leeds.

Most Common Crimes in Farnley & Wortley

Violent Crimes: 1,786 Incidents
Criminal Damage: 395 Offences
Public Order Offences: 365 Incidents

10- Bramley and Stanningley

Crime Rates: 215.5 Per 1,000 People

Bramley & Stanningley is famous for its industrial history and architecture. You might have heard about the “Bootie Folding Cycle”, it was the first bicycle of that type manufactured in Stanningley.

Moreover, other notable attractions in Bramley & Stanningley include Bramley Fall Quarry, Bramley Park, and Bramley Fall Park. The overall crime rate here in Bramley & Stanningley is 215.5 crimes per 1,000 people.

Most Common Crimes in Bramley & Stanningley

Violent Crime: 1,546 Incidents
Antisocial Behaviour: 325 Incidents
Public Order Offences: 240 Incidents

11- Kirkstall

Crime Rates: 213.4 Per 1,000 People

Kirkstall is mostly known and famous for the abbey and forge (Kirkstall Abbey and Kirkstall Forge). Both of them were founded by the Cistercian monks. Abbey was founded in 1152 and the forge was founded in 1200 AD.

When talking about the crime rate in Kirkstall, the overall crime rate here is 213.4 crimes per 1,000 people making it the 11th most dangerous area in Leeds.

Most Common Crimes in Kirkstall

Violent Crime: 1,061 Incidents
Shoplifting: 669 Incidents
Public Order Offences: 299 Incidents
Antisocial Behaviour: 235 Incidents

12- Temple Newsam

Crime Rates: 192.6 Per 1,000 People

Temple Newsam is famous for its art collection, history, and architecture. When talking about architecture and history, there is a house built by Thomas Lord Darcy which was later seized by King Henry VIII.

The crime rate here is gradually increasing and the overall crime rate in Temple Newsam is 192.6 crimes per 1,000 people making it the 12th most dangerous area in Leeds.

Most Common Crimes in Temple Newsam

Violent Crime: 1,011 Incidents
Shoplifting: 407 Incidents
Antisocial Behaviour: 400 Offences
Public Order Offences: 261 Incidents

13- Cross Gates & Whinmoor

Crime Rates: 165.9 Per 1,000 People

Cross Gates & Whinmoor is one of the most important areas of Leeds and is famous for its community hub. When talking about the crime rates, its overall crime rate is 165.9 crimes per 1,000 people making it the 13th most dangerous area in Leeds.

Most Common Crimes in Cross Gates & Whinmoor

Violent Crime: 1,273 Incidents
Antisocial Behaviour: 302 Incidents
Shoplifting: 300 Incidents

14- Pudsey

Crime Rates: 163.1 Per 1,000 People

Pudsey is famous and well known for the Pudsey Bear which is the most popular drink all around the UK. Moreover, Pudsey is famous for its textile history and cricket.

The other notable feature of Pudsey is that it was one of the most densely populated areas at the time of the Industrial Revolution. The overall crime rate of Pudsey is 163.1 crimes per 1,000 people.

Most Common Crimes in Pudsey

Violent Crime: 1,175 Offences
Shoplifting: 432 Offences
Antisocial Behaviour: 316 Offences

15- Morley South

Crime Rates: 160.8 Per 1,000 People

Morley South is mostly famous for the historical textile industry in which a specific kind of wool cloth “shoddy” used to be manufactured. It also has a coal mining history and is well known for an important event “St George’s Day celebrations”.

When talking about the crime rates, it is the last area on our list. The overall crime rate in Morley South is 160.8 crimes per 1,000 people.

Most Common Crimes in Morley South

Violent Crime: 1,099 Incidents
Shoplifting: 403 Incidents
Public Order Offences: 275 Incidents

Extend List of Crimes in Leeds and Rate Difference with West Yorkshire

Crime Rate is one of the reputed and trusted sources of crime types, number of crimes, and crime rates in the UK. It provides the crime rate information of many major cities in the UK.

We have also analysed the Crime Rate carefully and created an extended list of crimes that happened in 2024 in Leeds and then compared them with the number of crimes and crime rates in West Yorkshire.

Here is the extended list of the number of crimes and crime rates of different types of crimes that happened in Leeds and West Yorkshire in 2024:

Type Of Crime	Count in Leeds	Count in West Yorkshire	Rate Difference
Anti-Social Behaviour	7,820	27,068	5.0% more dangerous
Bicycle Theft	1,124	2,046	100% more dangerous
Burglary	5,738	15,828	32% more dangerous
Criminal Damage and Arson	7,295	26,158	1.3% more dangerous
Drugs	2,795	8,805	16% more dangerous
Other Crime	2,410	8,708	0.54% more dangerous
Other Theft	6,670	21,663	12% more dangerous
Possession of Weapons	865	2,538	24% more dangerous
Public Order	8,616	34,808	10% safer
Robbery	1,514	3,210	71% more dangerous
Shoplifting	9,202	22,100	51% more dangerous
Theft From the Person	1,303	3,211	47% more dangerous
Vehicle Crime	6,657	17,026	42% more dangerous
Violence and Sexual Offences	36,421	135,812	2.6% safer

Where Does Guard Mark Security Source Its Data?

At Guard Mark Security, we have been writing articles and blogs on crime rates for a long time. Our number one priority is to provide you with the most trusted and legitimate data from governmental and authorised sources.

To write this blog post, we have gathered the data from the UK Police Website and Crime Rate. You can visit these websites and double-check all the statistics we have mentioned.

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Moreover, If you are living in Manchester, you can check out our blog on “Top 12 Most Dangerous Areas in Manchester” to get some idea about the crime rates. It will help you take preventive measures to safeguard yourself and your business as well for the sake of safety and peace of mind.