Richhill, #1 on this list · Photo: HENRY CLARK · CC BY-SA 2.0

England, Wales and Northern Ireland · Safety

Safest towns in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Q: What is the safest town in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

Richhill, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon ranks first on safety among 2,138 towns, with an A+: 9.0 crimes per 1,000 residents a year (6.2 violent and sexual offences, 2.8 against homes and vehicles). South Wonston, Hampshire and Dunnington, North Yorkshire follow.

Richhill, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, records the least crime per resident of 2,138 towns and cities of 2,500+ in England, Wales and Northern Ireland with police.uk figures: 9.0 crimes per 1,000 residents a year (6.2 violent and sexual offences, 2.8 against homes and vehicles). 255 of the 2,138 grade A− or better on safety.

The Safety Grade: violent and sexual offences, burglary, vehicle crime and criminal damage recorded inside the town by police.uk, per 1,000 residents a year over three years, lowest first. The area rank sits beside each letter. How grades work

Richhill

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon · 2,738 people

A⁺

9.0 crimes per 1,000 a year·6.2 violent and sexual, 2.8 homes and vehicles·#1 of 7 in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon

South Wonston

Hampshire · 2,686 people

A⁺

9.2 crimes per 1,000 a year·5.5 violent and sexual, 3.7 homes and vehicles·#1 of 76 in Hampshire

Dunnington

North Yorkshire · 3,256 people

A⁺

9.4 crimes per 1,000 a year·5.3 violent and sexual, 4.1 homes and vehicles·#1 of 54 in North Yorkshire

The top 100

Crimes per 1,000 residents a year, lowest first; the sort uses the exact rate. Military garrison towns and university campuses keep their grades but aren’t ranked. Each area rank links to that area’s list.

Find a town or area

100 towns on this page. Counties and council areas with 15 or more towns have their own list.

#TownGrade · area rankCrime rate

1RichhillArmagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon · 2,738 peopleA⁺#1 of 7 in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon9.0 crimes per 1,000 a year·6.2 violent and sexual, 2.8 homes and vehicles

2South WonstonHampshire · 2,686 peopleA⁺#1 of 76 in Hampshire9.2 crimes per 1,000 a year·5.5 violent and sexual, 3.7 homes and vehicles

3DunningtonNorth Yorkshire · 3,256 peopleA⁺#1 of 54 in North Yorkshire9.4 crimes per 1,000 a year·5.3 violent and sexual, 4.1 homes and vehicles

4Marlow BottomBuckinghamshire · 3,339 peopleA⁺#1 of 39 in Buckinghamshire9.7 crimes per 1,000 a year·4.6 violent and sexual, 5.1 homes and vehicles

5Hillsborough and CulcavyLisburn and Castlereagh · 3,754 peopleA⁺#1 of 5 in Lisburn and Castlereagh10.0 crimes per 1,000 a year·6.9 violent and sexual, 3.0 homes and vehicles

6BishopstonWest Glamorgan · 3,533 peopleA⁺#1 of 19 in West Glamorgan10.7 crimes per 1,000 a year·7.7 violent and sexual, 2.9 homes and vehicles

7Upper PoppletonNorth Yorkshire · 3,520 peopleA⁺#2 of 54 in North Yorkshire10.8 crimes per 1,000 a year·7.1 violent and sexual, 3.7 homes and vehicles

8PickmereCheshire · 2,800 peopleA⁺#1 of 46 in Cheshire11.0 crimes per 1,000 a year·8.6 violent and sexual, 2.4 homes and vehicles

9MerleyDorset · 5,489 peopleA⁺#1 of 30 in Dorset11.2 crimes per 1,000 a year·8.4 violent and sexual, 2.8 homes and vehicles

10CopmanthorpeNorth Yorkshire · 3,671 peopleA⁺#2 of 54 in North Yorkshire11.4 crimes per 1,000 a year·8.4 violent and sexual, 3.0 homes and vehicles

11Great TothamEssex · 2,773 peopleA⁺#1 of 81 in Essex11.5 crimes per 1,000 a year·8.9 violent and sexual, 2.6 homes and vehicles

12NewickEast Sussex · 2,689 peopleA⁺#1 of 26 in East Sussex11.7 crimes per 1,000 a year·7.7 violent and sexual, 4.0 homes and vehicles

13MulbartonNorfolk · 3,807 peopleA⁺#1 of 51 in Norfolk12.2 crimes per 1,000 a year·9.5 violent and sexual, 2.7 homes and vehicles

14Stamford BridgeEast Riding of Yorkshire · 4,487 peopleA⁺#1 of 25 in East Riding of Yorkshire12.2 crimes per 1,000 a year·9.7 violent and sexual, 2.4 homes and vehicles

15Walter's Ash and NaphillBuckinghamshire · 3,893 peopleA⁺#2 of 39 in Buckinghamshire12.9 crimes per 1,000 a year·9.3 violent and sexual, 3.6 homes and vehicles

16NewbuildingsDerry City and Strabane · 2,837 peopleA⁺#1 of 5 in Derry City and Strabane13.2 crimes per 1,000 a year·8.7 violent and sexual, 4.5 homes and vehicles

17PannalNorth Yorkshire · 2,530 peopleA⁺#4 of 54 in North Yorkshire13.2 crimes per 1,000 a year·9.1 violent and sexual, 4.1 homes and vehicles

18TarvinCheshire · 2,744 peopleA⁺#2 of 46 in Cheshire13.2 crimes per 1,000 a year·10.1 violent and sexual, 3.2 homes and vehicles

19Bayston HillShropshire · 5,221 peopleA⁺#1 of 19 in Shropshire13.4 crimes per 1,000 a year·10.8 violent and sexual, 2.6 homes and vehicles

20RavensheadNottinghamshire · 5,370 peopleA⁺#1 of 49 in Nottinghamshire13.6 crimes per 1,000 a year·8.4 violent and sexual, 5.2 homes and vehicles

21BromhamBedfordshire · 4,652 peopleA⁺#1 of 33 in Bedfordshire13.6 crimes per 1,000 a year·8.5 violent and sexual, 5.2 homes and vehicles

22West ChiltingtonWest Sussex · 3,095 peopleA⁺#1 of 40 in West Sussex13.7 crimes per 1,000 a year·7.3 violent and sexual, 6.4 homes and vehicles

23KelsallCheshire · 2,997 peopleA⁺#3 of 46 in Cheshire13.7 crimes per 1,000 a year·9.8 violent and sexual, 3.9 homes and vehicles

24BishopthorpeNorth Yorkshire · 3,333 peopleA⁺#5 of 54 in North Yorkshire13.9 crimes per 1,000 a year·10.0 violent and sexual, 3.9 homes and vehicles

25MoiraLisburn and Castlereagh · 4,891 peopleA#2 of 5 in Lisburn and Castlereagh14.4 crimes per 1,000 a year·9.9 violent and sexual, 4.5 homes and vehicles

26DersinghamNorfolk · 4,753 peopleA#2 of 51 in Norfolk14.5 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.4 violent and sexual, 3.1 homes and vehicles

27Barton on SeaHampshire · 6,763 peopleA#2 of 76 in Hampshire14.6 crimes per 1,000 a year·9.6 violent and sexual, 5.0 homes and vehicles

28Hemingford GreyCambridgeshire · 3,372 peopleA#1 of 50 in Cambridgeshire14.6 crimes per 1,000 a year·6.8 violent and sexual, 7.8 homes and vehicles

29SpixworthNorfolk · 3,418 peopleA#2 of 51 in Norfolk14.7 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.1 violent and sexual, 3.6 homes and vehicles

30WorlinghamSuffolk · 3,618 peopleA#1 of 34 in Suffolk14.7 crimes per 1,000 a year·10.3 violent and sexual, 4.4 homes and vehicles

31CorbridgeNorthumberland · 2,888 peopleA#1 of 20 in Northumberland14.9 crimes per 1,000 a year·10.8 violent and sexual, 4.2 homes and vehicles

32GreasbyMerseyside · 9,175 peopleA#1 of 25 in Merseyside14.9 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.3 violent and sexual, 3.7 homes and vehicles

33SnettishamNorfolk · 2,709 peopleA#4 of 51 in Norfolk15.0 crimes per 1,000 a year·12.2 violent and sexual, 2.8 homes and vehicles

34Upper BeedingWest Sussex · 3,100 peopleA#2 of 40 in West Sussex15.1 crimes per 1,000 a year·8.8 violent and sexual, 6.2 homes and vehicles

35GoringOxfordshire · 3,434 peopleA#1 of 38 in Oxfordshire15.1 crimes per 1,000 a year·8.6 violent and sexual, 6.4 homes and vehicles

36South CerneyGloucestershire · 3,998 peopleA#1 of 48 in Gloucestershire15.2 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.2 violent and sexual, 4.0 homes and vehicles

37WaringstownArmagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon · 3,866 peopleA#2 of 7 in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon15.3 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.6 violent and sexual, 3.7 homes and vehicles

38BallygowanArds and North Down · 3,138 peopleA#1 of 6 in Ards and North Down15.4 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.7 violent and sexual, 3.7 homes and vehicles

39OverCambridgeshire · 2,898 peopleA#2 of 50 in Cambridgeshire15.4 crimes per 1,000 a year·10.8 violent and sexual, 4.6 homes and vehicles

40East SaltdeanEast Sussex · 2,892 peopleA#2 of 26 in East Sussex15.4 crimes per 1,000 a year·12.0 violent and sexual, 3.5 homes and vehicles

41Adderbury and TwyfordOxfordshire · 3,318 peopleA#2 of 38 in Oxfordshire15.6 crimes per 1,000 a year·12.5 violent and sexual, 3.1 homes and vehicles

42Mynydd IsaClwyd · 4,738 peopleA#1 of 39 in Clwyd15.6 crimes per 1,000 a year·12.2 violent and sexual, 3.4 homes and vehicles

43FeltwellNorfolk · 2,919 peopleA#5 of 51 in Norfolk15.6 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.1 violent and sexual, 4.6 homes and vehicles

44StrattonGloucestershire · 2,558 peopleA#2 of 48 in Gloucestershire15.7 crimes per 1,000 a year·9.7 violent and sexual, 6.0 homes and vehicles

45SwanlandEast Riding of Yorkshire · 3,965 peopleA#2 of 25 in East Riding of Yorkshire15.7 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.2 violent and sexual, 4.5 homes and vehicles

46ThorngumbaldEast Riding of Yorkshire · 2,818 peopleA#2 of 25 in East Riding of Yorkshire15.7 crimes per 1,000 a year·9.8 violent and sexual, 5.9 homes and vehicles

47BroughshaneMid and East Antrim · 3,097 peopleA#1 of 8 in Mid and East Antrim16.0 crimes per 1,000 a year·10.9 violent and sexual, 5.2 homes and vehicles

48WreccleshamSurrey · 7,312 peopleA#1 of 65 in Surrey16.0 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.2 violent and sexual, 4.9 homes and vehicles

49OakleyBedfordshire · 2,507 peopleA#2 of 33 in Bedfordshire16.1 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.7 violent and sexual, 4.4 homes and vehicles

50MeolsMerseyside · 5,023 peopleA#2 of 25 in Merseyside16.3 crimes per 1,000 a year·12.1 violent and sexual, 4.1 homes and vehicles

51KesgraveSuffolk · 14,947 peopleA#2 of 34 in Suffolk16.3 crimes per 1,000 a year·13.0 violent and sexual, 3.3 homes and vehicles

52Astwood BankWorcestershire · 3,248 peopleA#1 of 22 in Worcestershire16.4 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.2 violent and sexual, 5.2 homes and vehicles

53SaintfieldNewry, Mourne and Down · 3,588 peopleA#1 of 10 in Newry, Mourne and Down16.4 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.6 violent and sexual, 4.8 homes and vehicles

54CarryduffLisburn and Castlereagh · 7,173 peopleA#3 of 5 in Lisburn and Castlereagh16.6 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.5 violent and sexual, 5.1 homes and vehicles

55East HorsleySurrey · 5,843 peopleA#2 of 65 in Surrey16.7 crimes per 1,000 a year·9.2 violent and sexual, 7.5 homes and vehicles

56North FerribyEast Riding of Yorkshire · 3,964 peopleA#4 of 25 in East Riding of Yorkshire16.7 crimes per 1,000 a year·12.1 violent and sexual, 4.6 homes and vehicles

57Penrhyn BayClwyd · 4,201 peopleA#2 of 39 in Clwyd16.7 crimes per 1,000 a year·13.0 violent and sexual, 3.7 homes and vehicles

58OaklandsHertfordshire · 3,960 peopleA#1 of 50 in Hertfordshire16.8 crimes per 1,000 a year·10.9 violent and sexual, 5.9 homes and vehicles

59CollinghamNottinghamshire · 2,870 peopleA#2 of 49 in Nottinghamshire16.8 crimes per 1,000 a year·10.0 violent and sexual, 6.8 homes and vehicles

60ShalfordSurrey · 2,508 peopleA#2 of 65 in Surrey16.9 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.8 violent and sexual, 5.1 homes and vehicles

61West ParleyDorset · 3,665 peopleA#2 of 30 in Dorset16.9 crimes per 1,000 a year·9.1 violent and sexual, 7.8 homes and vehicles

62CuxtonKent · 3,039 peopleA#1 of 87 in Kent17.0 crimes per 1,000 a year·9.6 violent and sexual, 7.4 homes and vehicles

63BraytonNorth Yorkshire · 4,092 peopleA#6 of 54 in North Yorkshire17.0 crimes per 1,000 a year·12.6 violent and sexual, 4.4 homes and vehicles

64Seer GreenBuckinghamshire · 2,582 peopleA#3 of 39 in Buckinghamshire17.0 crimes per 1,000 a year·8.1 violent and sexual, 8.9 homes and vehicles

65BrundallNorfolk · 4,378 peopleA#6 of 51 in Norfolk17.1 crimes per 1,000 a year·14.2 violent and sexual, 2.9 homes and vehicles

T66Cliffe WoodsKent · 2,689 peopleA#2 of 87 in Kent17.1 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.2 violent and sexual, 6.0 homes and vehicles

T66GresfordClwyd · 4,948 peopleA#3 of 39 in Clwyd17.1 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.4 violent and sexual, 5.7 homes and vehicles

68HaxbyNorth Yorkshire · 10,176 peopleA#7 of 54 in North Yorkshire17.1 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.7 violent and sexual, 5.4 homes and vehicles

69Great Shelford and StaplefordCambridgeshire · 6,159 peopleA#3 of 50 in Cambridgeshire17.2 crimes per 1,000 a year·10.0 violent and sexual, 7.2 homes and vehicles

70AshingtonWest Sussex · 2,688 peopleA#3 of 40 in West Sussex17.2 crimes per 1,000 a year·12.0 violent and sexual, 5.2 homes and vehicles

71Istead RiseKent · 3,398 peopleA#2 of 87 in Kent17.3 crimes per 1,000 a year·9.7 violent and sexual, 7.6 homes and vehicles

72Lytchett MatraversDorset · 3,455 peopleA#3 of 30 in Dorset17.3 crimes per 1,000 a year·12.0 violent and sexual, 5.3 homes and vehicles

73Washingborough and HeighingtonLincolnshire · 6,386 peopleA#1 of 61 in Lincolnshire17.3 crimes per 1,000 a year·13.5 violent and sexual, 3.8 homes and vehicles

74Taverham and DraytonNorfolk · 14,989 peopleA#6 of 51 in Norfolk17.3 crimes per 1,000 a year·13.6 violent and sexual, 3.6 homes and vehicles

75ChalfordGloucestershire · 6,665 peopleA#3 of 48 in Gloucestershire17.3 crimes per 1,000 a year·13.5 violent and sexual, 3.8 homes and vehicles

76GirtonCambridgeshire · 4,384 peopleA#3 of 50 in Cambridgeshire17.3 crimes per 1,000 a year·8.7 violent and sexual, 8.7 homes and vehicles

77NavenbyLincolnshire · 3,165 peopleA#1 of 61 in Lincolnshire17.4 crimes per 1,000 a year·12.7 violent and sexual, 4.6 homes and vehicles

T78Barton-le-ClayBedfordshire · 4,941 peopleA#3 of 33 in Bedfordshire17.5 crimes per 1,000 a year·10.0 violent and sexual, 7.5 homes and vehicles

T78CheddletonStaffordshire · 4,027 peopleA#1 of 46 in Staffordshire17.5 crimes per 1,000 a year·14.2 violent and sexual, 3.2 homes and vehicles

80BransgoreHampshire · 3,688 peopleA#3 of 76 in Hampshire17.6 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.4 violent and sexual, 6.2 homes and vehicles

81Bluntisham and ColneCambridgeshire · 2,790 peopleA#5 of 50 in Cambridgeshire17.7 crimes per 1,000 a year·10.5 violent and sexual, 7.2 homes and vehicles

82PrestburyGloucestershire · 4,078 peopleA#4 of 48 in Gloucestershire17.7 crimes per 1,000 a year·10.9 violent and sexual, 6.8 homes and vehicles

83DoddinghurstEssex · 4,067 peopleA#2 of 81 in Essex17.8 crimes per 1,000 a year·8.8 violent and sexual, 8.9 homes and vehicles

84Trimley St MarySuffolk · 3,736 peopleA#3 of 34 in Suffolk17.8 crimes per 1,000 a year·13.7 violent and sexual, 4.2 homes and vehicles

85Woolton Hill and HighclereHampshire · 2,755 peopleA#3 of 76 in Hampshire17.9 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.0 violent and sexual, 6.9 homes and vehicles

86Bolton-le-SandsLancashire · 6,728 peopleA#1 of 65 in Lancashire17.9 crimes per 1,000 a year·12.6 violent and sexual, 5.3 homes and vehicles

87CleadonTyne and Wear · 4,599 peopleA#1 of 34 in Tyne and Wear18.0 crimes per 1,000 a year·9.4 violent and sexual, 8.7 homes and vehicles

88StrensallNorth Yorkshire · 6,060 peopleA#8 of 54 in North Yorkshire18.0 crimes per 1,000 a year·14.5 violent and sexual, 3.5 homes and vehicles

89Budleigh SaltertonDevon · 5,237 peopleA#1 of 47 in Devon18.1 crimes per 1,000 a year·13.1 violent and sexual, 5.0 homes and vehicles

90Horton HeathHampshire · 3,047 peopleA#5 of 76 in Hampshire18.2 crimes per 1,000 a year·12.1 violent and sexual, 6.0 homes and vehicles

91Watton at StoneHertfordshire · 2,614 peopleA#2 of 50 in Hertfordshire18.2 crimes per 1,000 a year·12.9 violent and sexual, 5.4 homes and vehicles

T92Leonard Stanley and King's StanleyGloucestershire · 3,584 peopleA#5 of 48 in Gloucestershire18.2 crimes per 1,000 a year·14.3 violent and sexual, 3.9 homes and vehicles

T92Ormesby St MargaretNorfolk · 2,741 peopleA#8 of 51 in Norfolk18.2 crimes per 1,000 a year·14.8 violent and sexual, 3.4 homes and vehicles

94Middleton CheneyNorthamptonshire · 4,127 peopleA#1 of 31 in Northamptonshire18.3 crimes per 1,000 a year·13.4 violent and sexual, 4.8 homes and vehicles

95KeyworthNottinghamshire · 6,822 peopleA#3 of 49 in Nottinghamshire18.3 crimes per 1,000 a year·12.8 violent and sexual, 5.5 homes and vehicles

96LightwaterSurrey · 6,539 peopleA#4 of 65 in Surrey18.3 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.3 violent and sexual, 7.0 homes and vehicles

97SilsoeBedfordshire · 3,419 peopleA#4 of 33 in Bedfordshire18.3 crimes per 1,000 a year·11.8 violent and sexual, 6.5 homes and vehicles

98VerwoodDorset · 13,706 peopleA#4 of 30 in Dorset18.4 crimes per 1,000 a year·12.5 violent and sexual, 5.9 homes and vehicles

99ShelleyWest Yorkshire · 2,696 peopleA#1 of 91 in West Yorkshire18.4 crimes per 1,000 a year·12.7 violent and sexual, 5.7 homes and vehicles

100Long HanboroughOxfordshire · 3,034 peopleA#3 of 38 in Oxfordshire18.4 crimes per 1,000 a year·14.1 violent and sexual, 4.4 homes and vehicles

Not ranked

Not on this list

22 military garrison towns and university campuses keep their grades but aren’t ranked: most residents serve in the forces or are students. 296 towns have no safety grade: missing figures this grade needs. 81 towns have no safety grade: Greater Manchester Police doesn’t publish to police.uk.

Quick answers

Questions people ask

What is the safest town in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

Richhill, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon ranks first on safety among 2,138 towns, with an A+: 9.0 crimes per 1,000 residents a year (6.2 violent and sexual offences, 2.8 against homes and vehicles). South Wonston, Hampshire and Dunnington, North Yorkshire follow.

How are these towns ranked?

Why isn’t my town on this list?

Garrison towns and university campuses aren’t ranked, and towns without the figures this grade needs are counted above. Every town of 2,500+ is ranked here; each county with 15 or more such towns has its own list, linked below.

Sources: data.police.uk street-level crime, 36 months to August 2026, points inside the built-up-area boundary · TownRatings grades: our own summary of the data, ranked against UK towns only. All under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.