It’s always assumed that when you’re living or working in a city, you’re much more likely to experience higher levels of crime. While this isn’t always the case, unfortunately for Birmingham, it is. With a crime rate much higher than the national and regional average, it’s one of the most dangerous places in the UK.
But what areas of Birmingham are the most dangerous, and what can you do to protect your home and business?
Is Birmingham Dangerous?
With a crime rate of 137 crimes per 1,000 people in 2023, Birmingham’s crime rate is high by any national standard. The second most dangerous city in the UK, behind Leeds, Birmingham’s crime rate so far this year is 57% higher than the national average of 85 crimes per 1,000 people. In particular, crimes involving robbery are much more common in Birmingham, with the city experiencing seven times more robberies than the rest of England and Wales.
Is Birmingham’s Crime Rate Getting Worse?
In recent years, Birmingham’s crime rate has steadily increased. Between 2015 and 2023, Birmingham’s crime rate grew from 68.3 to 147.5 per 1,000 people, an increase of almost 116%. The national crime rate has grown in this time too, but not as quickly as Birmingham. In 2015, Birmingham’s crime rate was 127% higher than that of the rest of the nation, whereas in 2023, it was 223% higher.
However, it is worth noting that so far this year, Birmingham’s crime rate has so far dropped by over 12% compared to last year.
What Are the Most Dangerous Areas in Birmingham?
Several areas experienced crime rates over double the national rate of crime. Coming out on top was South Yardley with a crime rate of 223 crimes per 1,000 people. This was followed by Stockland Green (207), Handsworth (194), and Birchfield (183).
However, in terms of total crimes committed, Ladywood comes out far ahead of any other areas in Birmingham. With 13,904 crimes committed in Ladywood, it saw almost three times as many crimes as the next on the list, Soho & Jewellery Quarter, which experienced 5,616 crimes.
What are the Safest Areas in Birmingham?
In terms of crime rate, Edgbaston comes out as the safest area in Birmingham, with a crime rate of 63, making it less than half as dangerous as the rest of Birmingham and 26% safer than the national average. This is followed by Nechells (81), Hall Green South (81), and Pype Hayes (85).
When looking at the total number of crimes committed, Hall Green South comes out favourable again, with 576 crimes committed in the area, just over half as many as the next area on the list (Stirchley with 1,010 crimes).
What are the Most Common Crimes in Birmingham?
By far, the most common types of crime in Birmingham are violent and sexual offences. At a rate of 57.9 and making up almost half of all crime in Birmingham, there were over 60,000 violent and sexual offences reported in 2023. Compared to the national average, violent and sexual crimes occur over three times more often in Birmingham as they do in other areas in the country.
Next on the list of most common crimes in Birmingham is vehicle crime, with a rate of 12.5 and a total count of 13,071, followed by other theft, which experienced a crime rate of 10.4 and a total count of 10,877.
How Can I Protect My Property in Birmingham?
Whether it’s your business premises, your personal belongings, or any other type of property, there are several steps you can take to decrease the chances that you’ll be a victim of crime in Birmingham.
The first step you should take is to ensure that you have good security systems in place at home. From making sure that all of your locks work and are of a good quality, to keeping your keys safe and knowing where they are, these simple steps can prevent you being seen as an easy target for criminals. If you have the budget, you can also invest in systems such as CCTV and security alarms.
However, the most reliable step you can take is to enlist the help of a professional security provider. While this may not be an option for most private residences to have at all times, it’s a great solution for businesses.
From keyholding and alarm response to mobile patrols, there are a wide range of security services available to you to help you keep your business safe at all times. These security measures can deter criminals and help you act accordingly when a crime does occur.
Taybar - Birmingham’s Number One Security Provider
If you’re looking for a reliable and professional security provider in Birmingham, look no further than Taybar. Not only are we SIA (Security Industry Authority) licensed, we also hold ACS Pacesetters membership and have been certified with the NSI Guarding Gold Medal, marking us as a leader in the industry. What’s more, with over 25 years of experience operating in the Midlands and South Yorkshire, we’re intimately familiar with the Birmingham area.
To find out more about how we can do this for your business, get in touch with us today.
