Around 6.7 million crimes were recorded by police in England and Wales in the year to September 2024. That number sounds enormous, but what it really means for you as an apartment buyer is that crime varies wildly from one street to the next. I’ve spent years covering UK property, and the question I hear most often isn’t “is this area safe?” — it’s “how do I actually check before I commit?” The answer is more straightforward than most people realise, and it starts with understanding what the data actually tells you.
Those figures come from two different sources, and they don’t perfectly align — the 6.7 million figure covers a slightly different period than the 6 million figure from the more recent report. That’s normal. What matters is the pattern: crime is falling slightly overall, but the gap between the safest and most dangerous areas is enormous. If you’re looking at an apartment in Middlesbrough, your risk is more than seven times higher than in Broadland. That’s not a minor difference — it’s the kind of gap that should shape your shortlist. Here’s what you actually need to know.
Before you start comparing postcodes, it helps to get a feel for what to know when buying an apartment in the UK more broadly. Crime data is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle, but it’s the piece most buyers overlook until it’s too late.
How to read crime data like a property buyer
The single most important thing to understand is that “crime rate” is a blunt instrument. When you see a figure like 81.3 crimes per 1,000 residents, that’s the national average — but it includes everything from shoplifting to sexual offences. For an apartment buyer, the categories that matter most are burglary, vehicle crime, and criminal damage. Those are the ones that affect your daily life, your insurance premiums, and your property’s resale value.
What I tend to notice when buyers look at crime stats is that they panic at the headline number without digging into the breakdown. An area with a high overall rate might have very low burglary — it could be driven by shoplifting in a commercial district or public order offences near transport hubs. That’s not irrelevant, but it’s different from worrying about your front door being kicked in. My first move would always be to check the burglary rate specifically. If it’s under 3 per 1,000 households, you’re in a low-risk area regardless of what the headline says.
If you’re still figuring out what kind of apartment suits you, it’s worth considering whether ground floor apartments are underrated — they come with different security considerations than upper floors, and the crime data can help you decide which works better for your situation.
Why the local crime rate matters more than you think
Here’s a scenario that comes up more often than you’d expect. You find a great apartment in an inner-city area. The price is right, the transport links are excellent, and the flat itself is well-maintained. But the local crime rate is 140 per 1,000 residents — nearly double the national average. Does that mean you should walk away? Not necessarily. But it does mean you need to understand what’s driving that number.
Take Hackney, which has a crime rate of 140.6 per 1,000 residents — the fourth highest in the country. That sounds alarming until you realise that Hackney is densely populated, has major transport hubs, and includes areas with high foot traffic. A lot of those crimes are theft and public order offences that happen in commercial zones, not residential streets. The burglary rate might be perfectly reasonable. The problem is that most buyers see the headline and make a snap judgment.
On the flip side, an area with a low overall rate can still have pockets of high crime. Rural areas typically see 20–50 crimes per 1,000 residents, but a remote village with poor street lighting and few neighbours might have a higher burglary risk than a well-policed suburb. The data gives you a starting point, not a final answer.
What I’d say to anyone looking at an apartment in a higher-crime area is this: don’t let the headline number scare you off, but do your homework on the specific street and building. A well-managed block with secure entry, good lighting, and active neighbours can be safer than a detached house in a “low crime” suburb where every property is an easy target. If you’re worried about security, a home security starter kit with outdoor cameras and a video doorbell can make a real difference — and it’s a lot cheaper than moving to a more expensive area.
It’s also worth thinking about how to future-proof your investment when choosing an apartment. Crime trends can shift over time, and an area that’s improving might offer better long-term value than one that’s already peaked.
Where buyers get crime data wrong
The most common mistake I see is treating all crime data as if it’s the same. It’s not. Different sources use different time periods, different geographic boundaries, and different counting rules. The 6.7 million figure from one report and the 6 million figure from another don’t contradict each other — they just cover different months. But if you don’t know that, you might think crime is plummeting when it’s actually stable.
→ Scroll right to see all columns
| Crime category | Share of all crime | Recorded offences |
|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 35.4% | 1,972,040 |
| Anti-social behaviour | 16.0% | 891,848 |
| Shoplifting | 8.3% | 463,244 |
| Criminal damage and arson | 7.2% | 398,775 |
| Public order | 6.9% | 383,212 |
| Other theft | 6.6% | 368,643 |
| Vehicle crime | 5.1% | 284,043 |
| Burglary | 3.7% | 205,005 |
| Drug offences | 3.5% | 196,746 |
| Other crime | 2.2% | 120,259 |
Mistake 1: Only checking the overall crime rate
If you look at the table above, you’ll see that burglary is just 3.7% of all recorded crime. But it’s the category that matters most for apartment dwellers. Vehicle crime (5.1%) is also relevant if you have a car or a parking space. Criminal damage and arson (7.2%) matters if you’re on the ground floor or have communal areas. The other 84% of crime — violence, anti-social behaviour, shoplifting, public order — is less likely to affect you directly inside your apartment. Focus your research on the categories that actually impact your daily life.
Mistake 2: Ignoring the difference between urban and rural
Urban areas typically see 80–150 crimes per 1,000 residents per year. Suburban areas see 40–80. Rural areas see 20–50. If you’re comparing an apartment in Manchester city centre with one in a Hampshire village, you’re comparing two completely different risk profiles. That doesn’t mean the city apartment is a bad choice — it means you need to adjust your expectations and take appropriate precautions. A simple door alarm sensor costs under £15 and can be installed in seconds. For a city apartment, that’s cheap peace of mind.
Mistake 3: Assuming “low crime” means no crime
The safest areas — City of London (24.0 per 1,000), Isles of Scilly (32.4), Broadland (37.9) — still have crime. It’s just less frequent. And because those areas tend to have lower population density, a single burglary can skew the rate. Don’t assume that a low headline number means you can skip basic security measures. Every apartment benefits from good locks, adequate lighting, and awareness of your surroundings.
Mistake 4: Not checking the trend
Year-on-year recorded crime fell by 2.8% nationally. But that’s an average. Some areas are improving faster than others, and some are getting worse. A neighbourhood that’s on an upward trend might look fine in this year’s data but become problematic in two or three years. Check the five-year trend if you can find it — it tells you more than a single snapshot. If you’re buying as an investment, you’ll also want to read tips for enhancing apartment resale value, since crime perception directly affects what future buyers will pay.
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How to research crime rates before you buy
You don’t need to be a data analyst to get a clear picture. The steps below will take you about 30 minutes and give you more useful information than most estate agents will ever share.
- 1Check the police.uk data for the specific postcodePolice.uk lets you search by postcode and see monthly crime data broken down by category. Look at the last 12 months. Focus on burglary, vehicle crime, and criminal damage. Ignore the total — it’s too broad to be useful.
- 2Compare the rate to the national averageThe UK average is 81.3 per 1,000 residents. If your target area is significantly above that, dig deeper. Is it driven by one category? Is the trend going up or down? A high rate that’s falling is less concerning than a moderate rate that’s rising.
- 3Visit the area at different timesData can’t tell you everything. Visit on a weekday evening, a Saturday afternoon, and late at night. Look at street lighting, how many people are around, whether properties have visible security measures, and how well-maintained the public spaces are.
- 4Talk to the neighbours and the building managerCurrent residents know the reality better than any dataset. Ask about package theft, whether there have been break-ins, how secure the communal entrance is, and whether the building has had any issues with anti-social behaviour. If you’re buying a leasehold apartment, the freeholder or management company should have records of any security incidents.
What to do if the data looks concerning
If the crime data for your target area is higher than you’re comfortable with, you have options. First, check whether the building itself has good security — secure entry, CCTV in communal areas, good lighting, and strong doors. A well-secured apartment block can be safer than a detached house in a “low crime” suburb. Second, consider what you can add yourself. A wireless video doorbell gives you visibility of who’s at your door without needing to open it. A smart lock like the Nuki Smart Lock Pro lets you control access remotely and see when the door is opened. These aren’t expensive upgrades, and they make a real difference.
Emerging trends to watch
One thing I’m keeping an eye on is the rise in shoplifting — up to 8.3% of all recorded crime, or 463,244 offences. That doesn’t directly affect apartment dwellers, but it can signal broader economic pressures in an area. High shoplifting rates often correlate with higher deprivation, which in turn correlates with other types of crime. If you see a spike in shoplifting in your target area’s data, it’s worth asking whether other categories might follow.
Another emerging angle is the impact of remote working on crime patterns. With more people working from home, daytime burglary has become less attractive to criminals in some areas, while package theft has increased. If you’re buying an apartment and you work from home, your risk profile is different from someone who commutes daily. Factor that into your security planning.
If you’re still early in the process, it’s worth considering bedroom size when buying your first UK apartment — the layout and location of your bedroom can affect both your security and your quality of life, especially if you’re on the ground floor.
Frequently asked questions about UK crime rates and apartment buying
Should I avoid buying an apartment in an area with a high crime rate? ▾
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How do I check crime data for Scotland or Northern Ireland? ▾
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Crime data is a tool, not a verdict. The numbers give you a starting point, but they can’t tell you whether you’ll feel safe walking home at night or whether your neighbours will look out for you. That comes from visiting the area, talking to people, and trusting your instincts. The best approach is to use the data to narrow your search, then use your eyes and ears to make the final call.
If this was useful, you might also want to read neighbourhood noise: how to check soundproofing before buying a UK flat.
Sources and Further Reading
Energy efficient mortgages: a smart choice for buyers — If you’re thinking about the long-term costs of your apartment, energy efficiency is another factor that affects both your monthly bills and your property’s value.
Tips for building a reserve fund while buying an apartment — Security upgrades, legal fees, and unexpected costs all add up. A reserve fund gives you breathing room after you complete the purchase.
UK crime statistics for property buyers. HomeCheckup, 2024.
Annual UK crime report. Crime Trends, 2026.
