Is the West Midlands becoming more dangerous?
The West Midlands may be home to some of the UK’s most vibrant towns and cities, but for many locals, concerns around rising crime are hard to ignore.
According to CrimeRate.co.uk, the West Midlands recorded 96 crimes per 1,000 people in the past year, placing it among the top 20 most dangerous regions in England and Wales.Â
In densely populated urban zones, that number spikes dramatically. Wolverhampton alone reports a rate of 129 crimes per 1,000 people, while Telford sees 118 crimes per 1,000 people.
Crime types vary across the region, but violent offences, drug-related incidents, and antisocial behaviour dominate.Â
A deep dive into 2024 data reveals that certain towns consistently exhibit higher crime clusters, which negatively impact residents’ quality of life.
Below is a snapshot of key locations based on the official crime rate per 1,000 residents:
Town/City | Crime Rate/1,000 | Most Reported Crime |
Wolverhampton | 129 | Violence and sexual offences |
Telford | 118 | Antisocial behaviour |
Birmingham | 114 | Theft and robbery |
Coventry | 98 | Vehicle crime & burglary |
As crime continues to affect public spaces, transport hubs, housing estates and commercial areas, the need for manned security has seen a rapid increase.
In this guide, we will talk about the top 10 worst places to live in the West Midlands, highlight the most dangerous towns, and offer insights into areas to avoid if you’re living or working locally.
Top 10 Worst Places to Live in the West Midlands
Rising crime levels are shaping how people live, work, and feel across the region.
With crime rates rising across the region, many residents are asking: Which are the most dangerous towns in the West Midlands?Â
Based on recent data from CrimeRate.co.uk and local reports, we’ve ranked the top 10 worst places to live, providing crime figures and a breakdown of what makes each location a concern.
Birmingham
- Crime Rate: 136 crimes per 1,000 people
- Most Common Crimes: Violence and sexual offences, burglary, vehicle crime, public order
As the UK’s second-largest city, Birmingham faces a complex crime landscape. High population density, economic disparity, and gang-related issues contribute to its safety challenges.Â
Inner-city areas like Newtown, Lozells, and Small Heath experience persistent violence and theft, while suburbs such as Northfield and Erdington also struggle with burglary and antisocial behaviour.Â
Despite ongoing regeneration efforts, Birmingham remains at the top of the list due to the sheer volume and severity of offences.
Wolverhampton
- Crime Rate: 129 crimes per 1,000 people
- Most Common Crimes: Violence and sexual offences, drug offences, antisocial behaviour
Wolverhampton has become a hotspot for violence and drug activity, with locals reporting frequent incidents across several neighbourhoods.Â
Youth violence, gang tensions, and public disorder remain major issues in many districts.
🔸 Areas to Avoid in Wolverhampton
Some parts of the city see significantly higher crime levels, such as:
- Whitmore Reans – Known for antisocial behaviour and theft.
- All Saints – Repeated violent incidents.
- Heath Town – Gang activity and knife crime.
- Blakenhall – Property crime and drug-related offences.
Despite ongoing investments in CCTV and community safety initiatives, these neighbourhoods require vigilance.
Telford
- Crime Rate: 118 crimes per 1,000 people
- Most Common Crimes: Antisocial behaviour, violence and sexual offences, criminal damage
Telford, located in Shropshire, is a growing urban town that faces safety issues often underestimated by outsiders.Â
Public disorder, particularly among young people, is a recurring theme.Â
Violence, criminal damage, and theft are concentrated in specific areas.
🔸 No-Go Areas in Telford
Telford’s crime is highly localised to:
- Brookside – Notorious for vandalism and drug dealing.
- Woodside – Reported gang presence.
- Sutton Hill – Frequent reports of youth crime and assaults.
- Leegomery – Known for public order offences.
These areas contribute heavily to Telford’s rising crime figures, especially during late evenings and weekends.
Oldbury
- Estimated Crime Rate: 143 crimes per 1,000 people
- Most Common Crimes: Violent crime, burglary, criminal damage
Oldbury is a small but densely populated town in Sandwell. It’s regularly flagged for high volumes of assaults and antisocial behaviour.Â
Reports suggest that youth violence and knife crime have become increasingly common in the last two years, especially near shopping precincts and housing estates.
Bedworth
- Estimated Crime Rate: 143 crimes per 1,000 people
- Most Common Crimes: Theft, public order, vehicle crime
Located in Warwickshire, Bedworth faces many of the same issues as its neighbouring town of Nuneaton.Â
Drug misuse, property crime, and repeated police callouts for violence are common.Â
Despite its small size, it consistently ranks high on the region’s crime charts.
Tipton
- Crime Rate: 131 crimes per 1,000 people
- Most Common Crimes: Violence, public disorder, drugs
Tipton is another hotspot for violence and substance abuse in the Sandwell area.Â
Community reports often mention issues with organised street fights and nighttime disturbances.
Schools and youth centres in the area have called for more targeted interventions.
Wednesbury
- Estimated Crime Rate: 136 crimes per 1,000 people (Express & Star)
- Most Common Crimes: Criminal damage, burglary, robbery
Wednesbury, while quieter during the day, experiences a sharp increase in criminal activity after dark.Â
Car thefts, home invasions, and even armed robbery cases have been reported in the town centre and surrounding estates.
Smethwick
- Estimated Crime Rate: 138.6 crimes per 1,000 people (Express & Star)
- Most Common Crimes: Gang-related violence, arson, assault
Smethwick has made headlines multiple times in recent years for gang-linked shootings and knife crime.Â
Community policing remains stretched, with areas like Cape Hill requiring targeted surveillance and patrols.
West Bromwich
- Estimated Crime Rate: ~111 crimes per 1,000 people
- Most Common Crimes: Drug offences, theft, weapons possession
As part of the Sandwell borough, West Bromwich is a bustling retail and transit hub—but it’s also known for street crime and drug-related violence.Â
Transport interchanges and shopping zones are frequent targets for theft and antisocial incidents.
Coventry
- Crime Rate: ~100 crimes per 1,000 people
- Most Common Crimes: Vehicle theft, burglary, violence
Coventry’s urban centre and districts like Foleshill and Hill fields are known for repeat offences.Â
Although it performs slightly better statistically than others on this list, Coventry remains one of the most dangerous towns in the West Midlands in terms of volume and severity of crimes.
Note: Rates are per 1,000 residents over a 12-month period (latest available: 2023–2024).
While some areas in the West Midlands continue to flourish economically and culturally, these towns struggle under the weight of persistent crime.Â
From gang violence in Smethwick to antisocial behaviour in Telford, the reality is that certain parts of the region are becoming increasingly dangerous, not just for residents but for visitors and businesses too.
While this list highlights the worst places to live in the West Midlands, it also opens the door for awareness and action. Whether it’s policing, urban planning, or security training.
Knowing which places are most dangerous allows residents and businesses to take informed safety steps, including investing in professional security training to better handle and respond to local risks.
Worried about safety in your area?Â
Explore SIA training to become part of the solution.
The rise in crime across parts of the West Midlands underlines the importance of trained security professionals.
If you’re considering hiring licensed guards or becoming one yourself, understanding the SIA licence process, costs, and job opportunities is the first step.
Explore our helpful guides:
Why Proper Security Is Crucial in High-Crime Areas
In towns where crime rates are high, residents often feel the impact in the form of vandalism, theft, or even personal harm. Security guards are usually the first line of defence in crime-prone areas. Their presence alone can prevent incidents from occurring.Â
As crime becomes more complex, from gang activity to organised retail theft, the demand for properly trained professionals with up-to-date skills and licensing has never been higher.
In high-risk towns across the West Midlands, having qualified, visible, and responsive security personnel helps reduce incidents and restore community confidence.Â
Here’s how:
Acts as a Visible Deterrent
The presence of uniformed security guards in public or private spaces immediately discourages criminal behaviour. Offenders are less likely to target a site when they know they’re being watched or challenged.Â
This is particularly effective in areas with high foot traffic, such as shopping centres, housing estates, and transit stations.
Enables Rapid Response to Incidents
Trained security professionals can respond quickly to emergencies, be it a fight breaking out, shoplifting, or vandalism.Â
Their ability to de-escalate situations before police arrive reduces the likelihood of serious harm and improves outcomes for victims and bystanders.
Supports CCTV and Surveillance Operations
Security teams are often responsible for monitoring camera feeds in real time. With proper training, they can identify suspicious behaviour early, track movements, and coordinate with emergency services.Â
This makes surveillance systems much more effective in preventing and solving crimes.
Builds Trust Within the Community
Visible and approachable guards help create a safer environment where residents feel protected.Â
In neighbourhoods plagued by antisocial behaviour, regular patrols help rebuild public trust, encouraging people to report concerns or cooperate with authorities more freely.
Helps Prevent Repeat Offences
Security staff maintain records of incidents and identify patterns, such as repeat offenders or vulnerable entry points.Â
This intelligence can be used to enhance security protocols and inform local policing strategies, thereby reducing the risk of similar crimes recurring.
From deterring crime to supporting emergency response, trained security professionals play a critical role in protecting high-risk areas. For towns struggling with safety, proper security isn’t just about guards on the ground—it’s about creating safer spaces, rebuilding trust, and contributing to long-term crime reduction.
Conclusion
There’s still a long way to go, but recent numbers hint at slow improvements.Â
With improved policing and trained professionals on the ground, some towns are beginning to feel safer and have seen a 3% reduction in overall crime over the past year.
Incidents related to public order and violent offences have declined, suggesting that proactive measures, such as improved policing and professional security, may already be making a difference. But this progress must continue.Â
Addressing high-crime areas requires more than statistics—it necessitates community involvement, responsible urban planning, and, most importantly, trained security professionals who can actively deter, de-escalate, and respond to risks on the ground.
FAQs
What are the top 10 worst places to live in the West Midlands?
The top 10 worst places based on crime data include Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Telford, Oldbury, Bedworth, Tipton, Wednesbury, Smethwick, West Bromwich, and Coventry. These areas report high rates of violent offences, drug-related crime, and antisocial behaviour.
Which are the most dangerous towns in the West Midlands?
According to recent crime statistics, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Telford, and Smethwick rank among the most dangerous towns in the West Midlands, with crime rates well above the national average.
What is the most dangerous place to live in the West Midlands?
Birmingham is considered the most dangerous place to live in the West Midlands due to its high crime volume, including violence, theft, and drug offences, particularly in inner-city areas like Lozells and Newtown.
What are the areas to avoid in Wolverhampton?
High-crime areas in Wolverhampton include:
- Whitmore Reans (antisocial behaviour and theft)
- All Saints (violent crime)
- Heath Town (gang activity)
- Blakenhall (property and drug offences)
What are the no-go areas in Telford?
Some areas in Telford with persistent safety concerns include:
- Brookside (vandalism and drugs)
- Woodside (gang presence)
- Sutton Hill (youth crime and assaults)
- Leegomery (public disorder)
Are crime rates in the West Midlands improving?
Yes, overall crime in the West Midlands has declined by around 3% over the past year. However, violent crime and antisocial behaviour remain high in certain towns, showing the need for continued intervention and security.
