Is Leicester Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Located in the East Midlands, Leicester is the hidden gem of the United Kingdom.

Visitors can explore venues like the National Space Centre and the Highcross Leicester or enjoy the city’s museums, galleries, and live music events.

And the best part?

Leicester has attractions for adults, children, and families.

For example, if you’re into astronomy, you can visit the National Space Centre and enjoy an educational yet entertaining experience.

And if history is your thing, stop by the King Richard III Visitor Centre, too!

And then, there is the market – one of the oldest in Europe and, according to many, the biggest attraction in Leicester.

Surrounding this 800-year-old market are various restaurants, stores, and boutiques, which comprise the city’s unique shopping center.

But leaving the tourist attractions aside, how safe is Leicester for travelers?

Warnings & Dangers in Leicester

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Leicester is in the top 10 most dangerous villages, towns, and cities in Leicestershire and one of the most dangerous cities in the United Kingdom. On average, the city has 111 crimes per 1000 residents, and crime rates increase by 12% annually. Despite this, Leicester's crime rate is low compared to other cities of similar population. As a result, the overall risk score for Leicester is medium.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Residents and visitors can rest assured that Leicester offers safe public transportation, with CCTV cameras in and around buses. Comparably, those visiting this city can use the Uber app or order a taxi to ensure their city trip is safe. The overall risk for public transportation and taxis is low. However, due to the city's reputation for crime, visitors should still remain cautious when traveling and announce their destination and time of return before going somewhere.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Before traveling to Leicester, take the necessary measures to protect against petty crimes like pickpocketing. While the overall risk for this type of crime is medium, visitors and residents alike should be aware of their surroundings and keep their valuables stored safely at all times. To protect yourself against pickpocketing, never leave your valuables unattended, and pay extra attention to your bag when using public transportation.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

The overall risk of experiencing a natural disaster here is low. With that said, the risks are not entirely non-existent. The city has implemented various preventative measures for those rare instances when a natural disaster befalls Leicester's residents and tourists. Some examples of natural disasters for which the city is prepared are floods and snow and ice storms.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

When visiting Leicester, remember that the city has a moderate rate of muggings. Between 2020 and 2023, there were 4,923 reported cases of burglary, 8,521 cases of theft, 732 cases of robbery, and 837 cases of theft from a person. These numbers are relatively low compared to those in other cities of similar populations.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Due to Leicester's relatively small population of a little over half a million, the risks of a terrorist attack are low. However, according to MI5's official website, the current national threat level for a terrorist attack happening somewhere else in the UK is substantial.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

The risk of being targeted for scams in Leicester is high. And the number of scams in this city has increased exponentially during the pandemic. Moreover, statistics show that Leicester has the highest rate of insurance and over-the-phone scams in the United Kingdom. It's also worth mentioning that the number of digital phone call scams has increased by 34% since the summer of 2022.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH

Travelers should be advised that the highest crime rate in Leicester is the sexual crime rate. The rate of these crimes has increased by 7% between 2021 and 2022, with 21,815 sexual offenses being reported last year. As a result, the risk is high for women traveling alone to and within Leicester.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

Due to the country's strict rules and regulations surrounding water quality, the risks involved in drinking tap water in Leicester are low. All throughout the country, tap water gets filtered for impurities and toxins before it reaches people's homes. As a result, the UK has earned the highest in the world regarding water sanitation.

Safest Places to Visit in Leicester

Clarendon Park: Clarendon Park is one of the safest and most exciting places in Leicester.

Located near Leicester’s city center, this suburb prides itself on its beautiful views and amenities surrounding the area.

Visitors and tourists can spend their time in Clarendon Park visiting and enjoying the area’s many parks and fresh food markets.

And because it is a small suburb with a quaint atmosphere, Clarendon Park is one of the safest and most beautiful areas to visit (or move to) in Leicester.

But just how safe is Clarendon Park?

Well, let’s look at the numbers.

In September 2023, 67 total crimes were reported in this area, which puts Clarendon Park at the top of the list regarding safety for residents and visitors alike.

To put things into perspective and explain just how low this number is, 444 crimes were reported in the City Centre that same month.

Places to Avoid in Leicester

City Centre: With an average crime rate of 257.7 per 1000 people, this is one of the most dangerous areas in Leicester and it only takes one peak at the numbers to understand why.

For example, during the month of September alone, 147 sexual and violent crimes were reported in this area.

During that same month, the police were contacted regarding 72 cases of shoplifting and 59 cases of public disorder.

The hustle and bustle of being a city center, and the area’s rich nightlife make Leicester’s City Centre an ideal hub for crime.

For example, it is known to locals and those residing in the surrounding areas for its high rate of shoplifting and violent crime.

And for a while, residents enjoyed a decrease in overall criminality during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, unfortunately, the crime rate has skyrocketed since those days.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Leicester

So... How Safe Is Leicester Really?

To answer this question, we must look at different categories of crimes.

For example, visitors have a moderate to high risk of being victimized by theft or burglaries.

Immediately following the COVID-19 pandemic, Leicester saw a dramatic increase in these types of crimes, and those planning to visit the city should be aware of the risks involved.

In comparison to theft and burglaries, the risks of being attacked are low, while the risks of being attacked for the sole purpose of being of a particular nationality, religion, or skin color are even lower.

Traveling by taxi or public transportation is also generally safe, though visitors can still fall victim to pickpocketing, especially in crowded spaces like buses or venues.

Yet, despite the high safety score when using public transportation, visitors should be aware that traveling alone at night can be unsafe.

Leicester has a high number of violent and sexual crimes.

In 2021, 41,000 crimes were reported in this city.

Out of that total, 20,440 were violent and sexual crimes.

Not to mention, these crimes have more than tripled over the last decade, putting Leicester on the map for its high rate of sexual crime.

Leicester has seen an increase in overall crime within the last few years, and statistics indicate that these numbers are not going down any time soon.

As a result, one can deduce that Leicester is a moderately dangerous city, and visitors should plan their visit accordingly.

How Does Leicester Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

Citizens and residents of the United States and the European Union do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom and visit Leicester. If you are a citizen of a country that requires a visa, you can apply for it. If you are unsure whether you will need a visa to travel inside the UK, you can visit www.gov.uk for more information.

Currency

The currency used in Leicester is the same as in the rest of England, the pound sterling. Some places in Leicester may accept Euros, as well, but your best bet would be to exchange your money for pounds before arriving. You can do this at an exchange, either at the airport or at any train station that has one.

Weather

Leicester has a somewhat temperate climate, with extreme weather changes being uncommon. With that said, if you're expecting warm weather, plan your destination during the summer, specifically in July or August. However, if you plan on having a dry trip, with little to no precipitation, shoot for April, as that's when Leicester gets the least amount of precipitation.

Airports

Traveling to and from Leicester by airplane can be done through either Birmingham Airport or East Midlands Airport. There is no commercial airport present in Leicester, but both of these airports are pretty close, and they both have shuttles and taxis commuting to Leicester.

Travel Insurance

Taking a trip always involves risks, especially if you're traveling to a destination abroad where you've never been before. But do your research beforehand. Ideally, you want to choose an insurance policy that covers all the 'what ifs' involved in traveling: • Medical Needs and Emergencies • Flight/train/bus being canceled • Luggage being lost

Leicester Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

United Kingdom - Safety by City