Crime in South Yorkshire 2024

South Yorkshire, a sprawling county in the north-central region of England, includes the boroughs of Barnsley, Doncaster, and Rotherham, as well as the city of Sheffield. Historically renowned for its iron, steel, and mining industries, the area has transitioned to light manufacturing, food processing, and similar enterprises.

The region’s incredibly diverse geography draws many to South Yorkshire, featuring the high Pennine moorlands, the Rivers Don and Dearne, and the marshes of Hatfield and Humberhead, although the latter two have been drained.

If you’re considering visiting or relocating to South Yorkshire, you might be curious about its safety. Here’s an in-depth guide to crime in South Yorkshire.

1. South Yorkshire Crime Statistics
2. Is South Yorkshire Safe?
3. Doncaster Crime Rate
4. Edlington Doncaster Crime Rate
5. Stainforth Doncaster Crime Rate
6. Hyde Park Doncaster Crime Rate
7. Rotherham Crime Rate
8. Barnsley Crime Rate
9. Is Barnsley Safe?

South Yorkshire Crime Statistics

According to Plumplot, South Yorkshire has an overall crime rate of 130.1 crimes committed per 1,000 people. Many crimes affect the county’s safety from shoplifting to anti-social behaviour, but its most common crime is violent crimes. Violent crimes make up more than 32.8% of all crimes committed in the area. South Yorkshire’s rate of violent crimes also made up more than 121% of the national crime rate.

To better understand the most common crimes in South Yorkshire, we have created a table using statistics from Plumplot.

Is South Yorkshire Safe?

A common question asked about South Yorkshire is how whether the county is safe or not. Like all areas, South Yorkshire will have some places which attract crime more frequently. Crimerate reports that Doncaster, Barnsley and Rotherham are some of the more dangerous areas. While Sheffield is regarded as one of the safer areas.

Doncaster Crime Rate

Doncaster is ranked as South Yorkshire’s most dangerous major town. According to Crimerate, in 2023 Doncaster had an overall crime rate of 161 crimes committed per 1,000 people. This was 47% higher than South Yorkshire’s own crime rate of 110 crimes.

When it comes to crime, violent crimes are the town’s worst. In 2023, violent crimes had decreased by 3.8% and were committed 10,134 times – making them have an average crime rate of 60. Doncaster’s least common crime is theft from a person. In 2023, these crimes had increased by 8% and were committed 198 times.

To get a better understanding of where crime takes place in Doncaster, we’ve created a list of its most dangerous wards.

Edlington Doncaster Crime Rate

Edlington is among the top 10 most dangerous small towns in South Yorkshire. According to Crimerate, last year Edlington had an overall crime rate of 156 crimes per 1,000 people. This was 42% higher than South Yorkshire’s own crime rate of 110 crimes per 1,000 people.

When it comes to crime, violent crimes are the town’s most common while bicycle theft is Edlington’s least common. In 2023, violent crimes had decreased by 21% and were committed 460 times. While bicycle thefts had not changed from the previous year and were reported 0 times.

Stainforth Doncaster Crime Rate

Stainforth is among the top 10 dangerous villages in South Yorkshire. According to Crimerate, in 2023 Stainforth had an overall crime rate of 163 crimes committed per 1,000 people. This was 48% higher than South Yorkshire’s own crime rate of 110 crimes.

Stainforth’s most common crime last year was violent crimes. In 2023, violent crimes had decreased by 19% and were committed 396 times. While the village’s least common crime is theft from a person. In 2023, theft from the person crimes were reported 2 times.

Hyde Park Doncaster Crime Rate

Hyde Park is a popular neighbourhood within Doncaster but it is also considered as one of the city’s crime hotspots. Doncasterfreepress reported that in 2023, Hyde Park was ranked as one of the Doncaster’s most dangerous areas. In 2023, Hyde Park had over 6,793 crimes reported to the police.

Rotherham Crime Rate

Rotherham is ranked as South Yorkshire’s safest big town. Crimrate revealed that in 2023 Rotherham had an overall crime rate of 110 crimes committed per 1,000 people. This was 0.11% lower than South Yorkshire’s own crime rate.

When it comes to crime, violent crime threatens Rotherham the most. In 2023, violent crimes had increased by 2.6% and were committed 6,718 times. Bicycle theft is the town’s least committed crime. In 2023, bike thefts had decreased by 3.4% and were committed 56 times.

To get a better insight into where crime in Rotherham occurs, we have created a list using statistics from Crimerate.

Barnsley Crime Rate

Barnsley was labelled as South Yorkshire’s 2nd most dangerous major town. According to Crimerate, last year Barnsley had an overall crime rate of 131 crimes per 1,000 people. This was 19% higher than South Yorkshire’s own crime rate of 110.
Like all towns, Barnsley faces its own share of crime. But its most common is violent crimes. In 2023, violent crimes and sexual offences had decreased by 4.4% and were reported 9,902 times. While Barnsley’s least common crime is bicycle theft. In 2023, bike thefts had decreased by 16% and were committed 65 times.  

Based on data gathered by Crimerate, here’s a summary of Barnsley’s most dangerous wards.

Is Barnsley Safe?

Unfortunately, Barnsley is considered to be the 2nd most dangerous town in South Yorkshire. When compared to the whole of the UK, Barnsley is ranked as the 24th most dangerous major town.

Check out our other articles to see whether the crime rate in the North of Yorkshire has increased and to see what the crime is like in the West of Yorkshire. Or head over to our news page so that you can keep up to date with all the latest Yorkshire news.