Where is Britain’s most dangerous university town?
Heading to university is an exciting milestone. But with knife crime, robberies and sex offences on the rise, it's understandable that parents and students may feel a little anxious.
To give you peace of mind, the Crime+Investigation team has sifted through the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) crime data to reveal the most dangerous university towns so you can choose wisely.
London
432.3 crimes per 1,000 people
Kicking off the list is London — more specifically, the borough of Westminster, home to the University of Westminster. According to ONS data, there were a staggering 432.3 crimes committed per 1,000 people in 2024.
Planning on studying in the city? Rest assured that these figures may not be entirely representative. London, in general, has a transient daytime population of tourists and commuters, which may inflate the actual risk posed to students. Nevertheless, students should always be cautious of their surroundings, especially in busy areas.
Manchester
164.2 crimes per 1,000 people
Unsurprisingly, the most dangerous university towns often have the largest populations. Take Manchester, for example — there were 164.2 crimes committed per 1,000 people in 2024, which was significantly above the regional average.
Recently, the university has ramped up security after a spate of violent crimes close to campuses. In January 2025, a young woman was bottled near Manchester Student Village. The following month, 19-year-old university student Luke O'Connor was fatally stabbed near the University of Manchester halls in Fallowfield.
Middlesbrough
161.6 crimes per 1,000 people
Hot on Manchester’s heels is Middlesbrough, with approximately 161.6 crimes committed per 1,000 people. The local police reported that most of these were violent and sexual offenses.
Here, you'll find Teesside University, which boasts over 24,000 students. Despite Middlesbrough's worryingly high crime rate, the university itself has a good reputation, especially in digital media, animation and computer game design.
Bristol
132.2 crimes per 1,000 people
Bristol is one of the UK's most vibrant university cities, home to over 70,000 students across the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England (UWE). The booming student population fuels the region’s creative, liberal culture, but there's a dark underbelly driven by high levels of deprivation and a stark wealth divide.
On average, approximately 132.2 crimes were committed per 1,000 people in 2024, and this figure is expected to rise in 2025. Snatch and grab-style thefts have become increasingly common, with students' phones and bags often being stolen in broad daylight. Both universities have warned students to remain vigilant in public places.
Oxford
127 crimes per 1,000 people
Despite being home to one of the world's most prestigious universities, Oxford's crime rate remains well above the national average, with 127 crimes per 1,000 people. For reference, the national average is 85 per 1,000. According to ONS data and the Thames Valley Police, violent and sexual offences were the most commonly reported, followed by various types of theft.
Unsurprisingly, given its reliance on public transportation, Oxford experiences one of the highest rates of bicycle theft in the country. If you’re heading to Oxford this year, remember to bring your U-locks and chains!
It wouldn't be a stretch to say the city's rising crime rate has possibly influenced its declining student population. For the first time in a decade, Oxford University saw a drop in undergraduate enrolment in 2025.
Birmingham
128.6 crimes per 1,000 residents
Birmingham is the most dangerous city in the West Midlands, with 128.6 crimes committed per 1,000 people. While many students are drawn to its affordability, diverse culture and merry-go-round of club nights and concerts, others are increasingly concerned by the city’s rising rates of violent crime.
In 2023, University of Birmingham student Edward Vos was stabbed multiple times by a teenage gang while walking home. In a separate incident, a student was fatally stabbed outside the gates of Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College.
We should note that the university and local police are working together to create safer campuses, especially in isolated areas after dark.
Leeds
Unknown
While the latest ONS data isn't clear on how many total crimes were committed in Leeds, one thing's for sure — the area has a huge problem with students and drugs.
In 2018, Leeds University student Sean Lisgo was sentenced to over three years in prison after campus security discovered cocaine, LSD and ketamine in his dorm. The following year, student Reece Howcroft received a similar sentence after his flat was raided, exposing huge quantities of cocaine, ketamine, cannabis and sedatives.
Most recently, student Asif Yaseen received a two-year prison sentence for selling cocaine and cannabis on campus.
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