North Yorkshire is a popular location with tourists but what is crime like there? In this article, we will be uncovering everything about North Yorkshire crime, and we will be discussing where the most dangerous towns in North Yorkshire are.
North Yorkshire Crime
North Yorkshire, home to beautiful areas such as Ripon, Harrogate, and Scarborough, is set within a county that is known for high crime areas and extremely low crime areas. The county of Yorkshire has made the headlines in recent years, and for contradicting reasons. With a UK-wide study from Compare the Market naming it as one of the safest places to live in England and Wales, it has been highly praised.
However, it also discusses a simultaneous rise in the number of North Yorkshire crimes. According to the Office of National Statistics end of year crime report, the region as a whole had the lowest crime rate in the country at 49.9 crimes per 1000 people. This is significantly lower than the country’s average, which sits at 80.8 crimes per 1000 people. So, let’s take a closer look at the crime in Harrogate and Eastfield and uncover what the crime rate in Scarborough is really like.
Harrogate Crime
The Harrogate crime rate is dependent on the particular area of Harrogate. Statistics from North Yorkshire Police show that over the last 12 months, from August 2020 to July 2021, there were 7,378 crimes. The most common crimes in the area were violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson, and shoplifting. Harrogate crime rate levels overall have remained generally stable in the area for the last three years. The areas of Harrogate where the most crimes are reported are listed below:
| Area | Number of Crimes | Crimes Rate Per 1000 |
| Central Harrogate | 1,141 | 117 |
| East Harrogate | 751 | 84 |
| Starbeck | 561 | 60 |
| Saltergate | 485 | 65 |
| Stray | 450 | 58 |
Is Harrogate Safe?
When we think about if an area is safe or not, the most important statistics to look at are the violent crime rates, as these are the crimes where individuals are most likely to be harmed. According to Plumpot, Harrogate has a violent crime rate of 24.1 crimes per 1000 people. This is significantly lower than the national average for the UK. Over the past year, the violent crime rate increased by around 6.9% in the area, meaning that it is less safe than it was last year, however, these figures are still relatively low. In fact, out of 99 postcode areas in England and Wales, Harrogate was the fourth lowest for violent crime.
Scarborough Crime
The Scarborough crime rate differs immensely depending on the area. Statistics from North Yorkshire Police show that over the last 12 months, from August 2020 to July 2021, there were 9,238 crimes. The most common crimes in the area were violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson and public order offences. Crime levels overall have remained generally stable in the area for the last three years. The areas of Scarborough where the most crimes are reported are listed below:
| Area | Number of Crimes | Crimes Rate Per 1000 |
| Scarborough Town and North Bay | 1,658 | 213 |
| Ramshill and Southcliff | 1,435 | 178 |
| Scarborough Central | 845 | 106 |
| Falsgrave | 843 | 92 |
| Barrowcliff and Northstead | 608 | 110 |
Is Scarborough Safe?
Scarborough has been labelled as the most dangerous medium-sized town in North Yorkshire due to its high crime rate. Looking at the violent crime rate specifically, Scarborough has a crime rate of 61 incidents per 1000 people – this is over double the amount of Harrogate. This is higher than the average violent crime rate in the UK. Over the past year, the violent crime rate has reduced slightly, meaning that the area is becoming safer than it once was.
Eastfield Crime Rate
Just outside Scarborough is the region of Filey and Eastfield. Statistics from North Yorkshire Police show that over the last 12 months, from August 2020 to July 2021, there were 3,636 crimes. The most common crimes in the area were violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson and public order offences. Crime levels overall have increased slightly over the last three years.
This has increased dramatically in the region over the past three years when it comes to violent crime. This is concerning as this is the type of crime that can make people feel most unsafe. In 2016, around 20% of all crimes reported in the area were classed as violence and sexual offences. By 2020 however, this has increased to just under 30%. This works out as a violent crime rate of around 57 per 1,000 people, which is significantly higher than many other areas of North Yorkshire.
The town of Eastfield, in fact, is listed within the top five most dangerous villages within the region. It is, however, important to note that Eastfield is safer than many other villages in the area, including Deighton, Brough with St. Giles, Bilbrough and Linton. It still has higher crime levels than neighbouring villages of Kilburn High and Low, Bolton Abbey and Kirk Deighton.
North Yorkshire Crime Conclusion
Every area has its parts that are safer and those that are more dangerous, and North Yorkshire is no exception. In comparison to a number of areas in English, however, it is a safer option. It is understandable, however, that businesses might want to obtain security to protect themselves further. Companies can do this by installing CCTV cameras or hiring a security company to provide security guards to patrol your premises. These methods will help deter any potential criminals, keeping a business safe.
Interested in knowing more about Yorkshire’s crime? Check out our other articles where you can find more information about what the crime in South Yorkshire is like and whether the crime in the West of Yorkshire is rising. Or head over to our news page so that you can stay up to date with all the latest Yorkshire news.
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