West Yorkshire is one of the largest counties in England and Wales containing hundreds of cities and regions. Moreover, it is a metropolitan and ceremonial county in the Yorkshire and the Humber. The county was established in 1974 with a population of over 2.3 million. The largest and major cities of West Yorkshire are Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, and Wakefield containing most of the population and working opportunities. West Yorkshire is known for its natural landscapes, industrial states, history, and visiting places which attract millions of tourists every year.

However due to the large number of people moving toward the west Yorkshire, the county’s crime rate is increasing by a huge margin. In fact, some of the major cities of West Yorkshire are considered the most dangerous places to work or live in in the whole of United Kingdom. So, if you are hoping to move to West Yorkshire, this blog is especially for you. Read it to the end and you will be able to make a better decision whether to move there or not.

West Yorkshire Crime Rate

From the period of Aug 2023 to July 2024, the crime rate in the county is increasing by a huge margin. According to Plumplot, the overall crime rate in West Yorkshire is 137.6 crimes per 1,000 population. The most common and prominent crimes in the county of West Yorkshire are violent crimes (125k cases), public order crimes (28.7k cases), antisocial behaviour crimes (27.2k cases), criminal damage and arson crimes (23.7k cases), shoplifting crimes (22.5k cases), other theft crimes (20.9k cases), vehicle crimes (17.6k cases), Burglary crimes (15.3k cases), drugs crimes (9.0k cases), Other crimes (8.5k cases), and Robbery crimes (3.2k cases). These are all the crimes that happened in the 12 months from 2023 to July 2024 as per the data we have fetched from Plumplot.

West Yorkshire Crime Prevention

Due to the increasing crime rate in West Yorkshire, the government and the law authorities have made new regulations and also come up with new ideas for the sake of preventing crimes. The government has created special teams and assigned them the duties of only keeping a close eye on crimes. In these teams, some of the force persons are handling social and cybercrime, on the other hand, some of them are responsible for handling domestic crimes.

Additionally, the law authorities have come up with the idaea of providing a crime-tracking application in which the victims can track their application and ask the designated officer about their report. This application has helped to reduce the crime rate effectively and also the police have gained the trust of the people by answering on time.

Is West Yorkshire A Good Place To Live?

Unfortunately, the crime rates in West Yorkshire are increasing by a huge margin but only some of the major cities are contributing to the crime rate heavily including Leeds and Bradford. In West Yorkshire, you can live in other cities like Huddersfield and Wakefield where the crime rate is comparatively low and offers the best working opportunities. So, if you wish to move for a better future or career, West Yorkshire is the country that can help you achieve the things you want in life.

Bradford Crime Rate

Bradford is the most dangerous area to live or work in the whole of West Yorkshire. There are almost 118 cities and local areas in West Yorkshire among which Bradford has the highest crime rates. According to CrimeRate, the overall crime rate in Bradford in 2023 was 158 crimes per 1,000 population.

January 2024 was considered one of the worst months for Bradford regarding anti-social behaviour. In Jan 2024, the people and the law authorities of the Bradford witnessed highest cases of anti-social behaviour in a single month. 183 crimes were being reported daily out of the 1,000 daytime population.

Most Common Crimes in the Bradford

According to CrimeRate, from the last 12 months until the end of January 2024, the most common crimes in Bradford were anti-social behaviour (4,182 cases), burglary (2,216 cases), criminal damage and arson (4,247 cases), drugs (1,754 cases), other crimes (1,608 cases), possession of weapons (440 cases), public order (4,671 offences), robbery (564 cases), shoplifting (2,162 cases), violence and sexual offences (22,677 cases), and vehicle crimes (2,553 cases).

Crime in and around Bradford’s Wards

For the sake of better understanding, we have compiled the crime rates in and around Bradford’s Wards. Here is the latest data from CrimeRate:

WardCrime CountCrime Rate
Wyke1,910130
Windhill and Wrose1,719141
Wibsey1,942164
 Tong3,902164
Toller2,253101
Thornton and Allerton1,974152
Royds2,650189
Queensbury1,329118
Manningham2,452120
 Little Horton2,684121
 Idle and Thackley1,656128
Heaton2,115132
Great Horton2,708178
Eccleshill2,810201
Clayton and Fairweather Green1,735122
City9,543190
Bradford Moor2,793117
Bowling and Barkerend3,892122
Bolton and Undercliffe2,051135
Baildon1,05188

Is Bradford Safe?

When compared with the whole of the United Kingdom, Bradford is the 2nd most dangerous area to live or work in. So, as a well-reputed and professional security guarding company, we will never recommend you move to Bradford no matter if it’s work or living-related.

Wakefield Crime Rate

When talking about the safest major cities in West Yorkshire, Wakefield is in the second spot among the other 118 cities and regions of West Yorkshire. The overall crime rate in Wakefield in 2023 was 156 crimes per 1000 population. However, January 2024 was one of the worst months for Wakefield due to the highest anti-social behaviour case reporting. In Jan 2024, daily 213 cases were being reported related to anti-social behaviour making it the worst month in the history of Wakefield.

The most prominent and common crimes in Huddersfield until Jan 2024 are Anti-Social Behaviour (3,503 cases), Burglary (1,257 cases), Criminal Damage and Arson (2,425 cases), Drugs (854 cases), Other Theft (2,366 cases), Public Order offences (3,093 cases), Robberies (277 cases), Shoplifting (3,172 cases), Violence and Sexual Offences (13,269 cases), and Vehicle Crimes (1,568 cases).

Crime in and around Wakefield’s Wards

For the sake of better understanding, we have compiled the crime rates in and around Wakefield’s Wards. Here is the latest data from CrimeRate:

WardCrime Count Crime Rate
Airedale and Ferry Fryston1,821157
Altofts and Whitwood1,72698
Castleford Central and Glasshoughton3,309165
Horbury and South Ossett1,201101
Knottingley1,916153
Ossett1,34691
Pontefract North2,734157
Pontefract South1,286116
Stanley and Outwood East1,14994
Wakefield East2,991157
Wakefield North4,792170
Wakefield South2,014173
Wakefield West2,971176
Wrenthorpe and Outwood West1,35974

Is Wakefield Safe?

This is the question most people ask we are glad to tell you that Wakefield is the second safest place to work or live in West Yorkshire. If you wish to move to West Yorkshire, Huddersfield, and Wakefield are the cities you should prefer for the sake of the safety and protection of both your and your family’s life.

In short, the crime rates in West Yorkshire are increasing but the Police and law authorities are trying hard to come up with the idea to enhance the safety and security of the residents. Moreover, many professional and well-reputed security companies like Guard Mark Security are offering their services to protect your businesses and hard-earned assets.