As far as crime rates are concerned, it’s often a little more nuanced than statistics and figures would have you believe. For businesses, organisations and individuals, having an awareness of the types of crime in a particular area allows you to make more informed personal and professional decisions.
So, with that in mind, what are the most prevalent types of crime in Birmingham, and what areas are most likely to experience them?
What is the Birmingham Crime Rate?
Unfortunately, by most measurements, Birmingham has a high crime rate, with the city experiencing an overall rate of 147.54 crimes per 1,000 people in 2023 - 57% higher than the national crime rate for that year.
And when we compare the city to the rest of the West Midlands, the only type of crime that’s less prevalent in Birmingham is shoplifting. For every other type of crime, Birmingham experiences them at a higher rate than the surrounding area, with the biggest difference being for violence and sexual offences (57.94 for Birmingham, compared to 48.58 for the West Midlands). All of this points to Birmingham having a serious problem with crime.
What are the Most Common Crimes in Birmingham?
5. Anti-Social Behaviour
With a total count of 10,515 and at a rate of 10.03 per 1,000 people, anti-social behaviour crimes are the fifth most common type of crime in Birmingham. Ranging from noise complaints and fly tipping to fighting, harassment, and intimidation, anti-social behaviour covers a wide range of crimes.
Anti-social crime rates vary significantly by area, with Hall Green South being the least likely area in Birmingham to experience this type of crime. On the other hand, Ladywood is the most likely, particularly in areas around Broad Street.
Fortunately, Birmingham’s overall rate of anti-social behaviour crimes has been steadily decreasing over the last decade or so. In September of 2012, there were over 6,000 anti-social behaviour crimes reported in that month alone, compared to around 4,500 in September 2017 and then 1,500 in September 2022.
4. Criminal Damage and Arson
Just ahead of anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson are the fourth most common type of crimes in Birmingham. At a rate of 10.12 per 1,000 people (compared to the national rate of 7.63) and a total count of 10,604, criminal damage and arson covers the intentional destruction of property. Just like anti-social crimes, Hall Green South is the least likely to be a victim of criminal damage and arson, and Ladywood is the most likely with over 700 instances last year.
The number of criminal damage and arson instances reported each month has remained relatively steady over the last 12 years, with just over 1,400 reported in February 2012, 1,300 in February 2017, and around 1,400 in February 2022.
3. Other Theft
Classified as any criminal act of theft that doesn’t directly fall under robbery, burglary, shoplifting or theft from a person, other theft is the third most prevalent type of crime in Birmingham. Just like the two previous types of crime on this list, Ladywood comes out as the most dangerous susceptible to this type of crime, and Hall Green South as the least.
From blackmail to refusing to pay for goods or a service, other theft can cover a wide range of criminal activities. Compared to an overall other theft crime rate of 8.24 for the West Midlands and a rate of 7.83 for England and Wales, Birmingham experiences a rate of 10.38 per 1,000 people.
Monthly other theft crime rates have remained relatively steady over the last 10 or so years, with the months during the Covid-19 lockdowns of 2020 seeing the fewest reports of other theft crimes.
2. Vehicle Crime
At a rate of 12.47 per 1,000 people, vehicle crime covers acts such as the theft of a vehicle, the trading of illegal parts, and theft of property from a vehicle. Vehicle crime was reported over 13,000 times in Birmingham over a 12 month period in 2023.
While Perry Common was the least likely area in Birmingham to experience vehicle crime, with just 72 instances reported, Ladywood yet again comes out as the area most vulnerable to this type of crime.
In the 12 month period between June 2023 and June 2024, Birmingham’s vehicle crime rate was 179% larger than the overall rate in England and Wales. However, this shows a 12.9% decrease when compared to the 12 months preceding this period.
1. Violence and Sexual Offences
Violence and sexual offences is by far the most common type of crime in Birmingham, just as it is across the rest of the country. At a rate of 57.94 per 1,000 people, violence and sexual offences are almost five times as likely to happen as the next most common type of crime in Birmingham. As with most of the other types of crime on this list, Ladywood is the most likely to experience this type of crime, and Hall Green South is the least.
Making up almost 40% of all crime in Birmingham, the crime rate for violence and sexual offences is much higher than the rest of the West Midlands, at a rate of 57.9 compared to 48.6 crimes per 1,000 people. However, the 2023 rate for this type of crime did drop by 10% compared to the previous year.
Taybar’s Security Against All Birmingham Crime
Whether it’s having your car stolen from your home, experiencing violence as you travel, or your business premises being the victim of criminal damage, these crimes in Birmingham all have the potential to affect you.
Fortunately, our security officers are highly skilled in preventing all manner of crime. Through our wide range of NSI Guarding Gold Medal-winning services that includes both corporate security and retail security, our SIA (Security Industry Authority) licensed security officers can protect your business.
To find out exactly how we can do this for you and your business, get in touch with us today.
