Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about CrimeSafe UK
Where does the crime data come from?
All crime data comes from the official Police UK API (data.police.uk), which publishes monthly crime statistics from all 43 police forces in England and Wales. Data is typically released 6-8 weeks after the end of each month.
How are safety scores calculated?
Safety scores (0-100) are calculated using per-capita crime rates, adjusted for population using Census 2021 data. Scores are percentile-based: a score of 80 means the area is safer than 80% of UK neighbourhoods. This allows fair comparison between busy city centres and quiet residential areas.
How often is the data updated?
We update our data monthly when new statistics are released by Police UK, typically 6-8 weeks after month end. The current data covers the most recent available month.
What is a policing neighbourhood?
A policing neighbourhood is a geographic area defined by UK police forces for community policing purposes. There are approximately 4,900 neighbourhoods across England and Wales, each with a dedicated policing team. They are smaller than boroughs but larger than individual streets.
Why do city centres show higher crime rates?
City centres typically show higher per-capita crime rates because the resident population is low, but the daytime population (commuters, shoppers, tourists) is much higher. Crime is measured against residential population, not daytime visitors, which can make busy areas appear less safe statistically.
Can I embed CrimeSafe data on my website?
Yes! We offer free embeddable widgets for any UK neighbourhood. Visit the neighbourhood page and click "Embed Widget" to get the code. No signup required.
What crime types are included?
We include all crime categories reported to Police UK: violent crime, robbery, burglary, vehicle crime, theft, criminal damage, drugs, public order offences, anti-social behaviour, and more. Each neighbourhood page shows a full breakdown by category.
Is CrimeSafe UK affiliated with the police?
No. CrimeSafe UK is an independent website. We use publicly available data from Police UK but are not affiliated with any police force or government body.