Lifestyle
United Kingdom — Living: Safety
ONS estimates about 9.7 million Crime Survey incidents in England and Wales in the year to June 2026, with 512 homicides recorded by police.
VerifiedGovernment / official sourceOffice for National Statistics — Crime in England and Wales, year ending June 2026Last reviewed: 2026-10-23
Why this matters
Understanding safety in the UK can impact daily life, choice of residence, and overall quality of life for expats and locals alike.
Key facts
- The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated 9.7 million headline incidents in the year ending June 2026, not significantly changed on the previous year.
- Fraud was estimated at 4.5 million incidents, up 11%; computer misuse at about 817,000, up 23%; theft at 2.7 million, no significant change.
- Violence with or without injury was about 939,000 incidents and criminal damage about 656,000, neither significantly changed.
- Police recorded 512 homicides, down 1%, and knife-enabled crime fell 6% to 48,615 offences; the Metropolitan Police recorded 13,748 knife-enabled offences, down 12%.
Steps
- Understanding Local Safety Conditions — Research neighborhoods and areas to get a sense of local crime rates, talk to locals, and consider visiting areas before making a decision.
- Taking Precautions — Be mindful of personal belongings, especially in crowded areas, and avoid walking alone in poorly lit or isolated areas at night.