Cardiff ranked most dangerous, with 32.5 crimes per 100 residents in its student areas, followed by Sunderland and Wolverhampton.  

New data analysis has revealed the safest and most dangerous university towns in the UK by analysing crime rates per 100 residents over the past year.  

Lincoln emerged as the safest, with only four crimes per 100 people, followed closely by Exeter and Lancaster.   

New research has shed light on the university zones with the highest crime rates, pinpointing Cathays in Cardiff as the riskiest and Gainsborough Rural South in Lincoln as the safest.   

The study, conducted by the online education platform Internet of Learning, analysed police crime data to calculate the crime rate for popular student neighbourhoods across leading universities in England and Wales. By condensing the number of crimes committed per 100 people in the past 12 months, the study could pinpoint the most dangerous areas. 

Student areas with the highest crime rates 

The area of Cathays in Cardiff has been identified as the most concerning in terms of crime rates, with an estimated 32.5 crimes occurring per 100 people. In the last 12 months, 6,495 crimes were committed, and 31% of these offences were categorised as violent or sexual assault. It has the second-highest rate of shoplifting in the study, with 1,562 cases reported in the last year. Bicycle theft is also common, with 416 reported incidents. 

Sunderland ranks second in crime statistics, where students reside in the Millfield Ward, just below the city's central boundary. With an alarming 24.9 crimes per 100 people, a quarter of the population, the most prevalent offences in this area include violent and sexual assaults, anti-social behaviour, and shoplifting. 

In Central Wolverhampton, the boundary St. Peters classifies under, 23.3 crimes are committed per 100 people. In Central Wolverhampton, which encompasses St. Peters’ boundary, the crime rate stands at 23.3 crimes per 100 people. Here, police data suggests one in five residents has faced prosecution for drug-related offences.  

However, North Middlesbrough leads in robbery rates with 225 offences and weapon possession at 130 offences in the last year. In this borough, 23.1 crimes are committed per 100 people.  

Completing the rankings for most crimes per 100 people is Durham with 20.9 offences, Newcastle upon Tyne with 19.2 offences, Stoke on Trent with 19 offences, York with 18.8 offences, Ipswich with 18.2 offences, and Bangor with 17 offences per 100 residents. 

Student areas with the lowest crime rates 

Lincoln, particularly Gainsborough Rural South, is considered the safest borough, with only four reported crimes per 100 people. In the last 12 months, only 491 crimes have been documented– over 6,000 less than Cathays, despite only being 39% small in population. Instances of robbery have been minimal, with only two reported offences and bicycle theft registering a single incident.  

Exeter ranks second best in the data, with Heavitree & Polsloe reporting 4.1 crimes per 100 people. With 528 crimes reported throughout the last year, they have a remarkable 85% reduction in offences such as violence and sexual assault than the national average.  

In Lancaster, the Scotforth West boundary committed only 336 crimes among its population of 7,019. With 4.8 crimes per 100 people in the past year, crimes such as shoplifting saw only three offences.  

The closest following is Falmouth, which commits 4.9 crimes per 100 people. Where students typically reside around Buddock Terrace, in the Arwenack & Boslowick borough, the total population still commits 90% fewer crimes than Cathays.  

Completing the rankings for least crimes per 100 people is Chester with 5.6 offences, Bristol with six offences, Guildford with 6.3 offences, Winchester with 6.4 offences, Swansea with 6.7 offences, and Sheffield with 6.8 offences. 

Manno Notermans, founder of the Internet of Learning, commented: "The countdown to September may have begun, but student safety shouldn't be an afterthought. These findings provide a valuable starting point for student research, providing crucial insights into safety variations across the UK. 

"We encourage students to research potential neighbourhoods beyond just proximity to campus, understand local crime trends, and learn safety measures. By familiarising themselves with university security resources and local police programs, students can prioritise their well-being and make informed decisions that ensure a safe and enriching university journey."