Coventry Crime Statistics
Coventry Crime Statistics
How safe is Coventry?
Coventry is located in the West Midlands, 19 miles southeast of Birmingham and 95 miles northwest of London. The ninth-largest city in England, Coventry also is ranked among the top 10 cities in the country for jobs and business growth.
Coventry has a population of approximately 350,000 and a workforce of 225,000. It is an ethnically diverse city, with over 30% of its population coming from ethnic minority backgrounds. Home to two large universities, the University of Coventry and the University of Warwickshire, Coventry has a total student population of 54,000.
But just how safe is Coventry?
There were 27,687 crimes committed in Coventry between April 2016 and March 2017. Of these crimes, antisocial behaviour was the most common, with 6,534 incidents reported, which is about 24%. The next most commonly committed offence was violent crime, with 5,467 incidents reported, or about 20%.
Criminal damage and arson is the third most common crime in Coventry, with 3,044 incidents reported (11%). Vehicle crime is the fourth-most-frequent offence, with 2,933 incidents occurring within this timeframe (10.5%). Burglary is next, with 2,722 crimes reported (10%), and this is followed by other theft at 1,971 offences (7%) and shoplifting, which stands at 1,880 incidents (6.5%).
Coventry crime comparison
How does Coventry’s crime rate fare when compared with other cities in England?
Compared with other cities of similar size, we can see that Coventry has a lower-than-average crime rate. Its rate is lower than Plymouth, Sheffield, Salford, Derby, Bolton, Lincoln, Leicester, Cardiff, Newcastle upon Tyne and Bristol.
In the year ending December 2016, Coventry also reported a lower-than-average crime rate compared with other cities in the West Midlands. Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Walsall all had higher crime rates. However, Coventry had a higher crime rate than Solihull or Dudley.
Is Coventry crime increasing?
From looking at crime statistics over the past few years, we can see that while Coventry’s crime rate is lower than average, crime nonetheless is on the rise in this city.
To illustrate this, we’ve examined the crime rate for the months January, February and March for the past few years. In 2017, there were 7,336 crimes committed in Coventry during those months, an increase from 2016, when 6,736 crimes were committed during the same period. In 2015, the crime rate was lower still, with 6,610 crimes reported during those three months.
Burglary is one crime we can see following this pattern, as it has increased in frequency over these three years. In 2017, 865 burglaries were reported in Coventry for the months January, February and March. In 2016, the number was considerably lower, at 716, and in 2015, it was lower still, with 702 burglaries reported during this timeframe.
Safest area in Coventry
Like other cities, Coventry has areas of affluence and deprivation, with 18 different wards that make up Coventry City. Of these, Whoberley is the safest, with 62 crimes reported in March 2017. Wainbody is the second safest, with 63 crimes, and Earlsdon is very close behind, with 64 crimes reported during this month.
Holbrook is the fourth safest area in Coventry, with 94 crimes reported in March.
Statistically, the most dangerous ward in Coventry is St Michaels, with 487 crimes reported in March 2017. Foleshill follows this with 216 reported incidents, then Henley, with 176 incidents, and finally Binley And Willenhall, which reported 155 crimes during March.
A recent report by Coventry City Council revealed that one third of all Coventry crime occurs in just four city areas (see graph below): Willenhall, Foleshill, Hillfields/city centre (part of the St. Michaels ward) and Wood End/Bell Green (part of the Henley ward).
St Michaels councillor Jim O’Boyle conceded that his ward has issues: ‘We have problems with antisocial behaviour, and there’s criminality behind that. As councillors, we regularly speak to police and ask them to put as many resources into our area as possible. What I would love to see is crime levels coming down to the same levels as other areas of the city.”
West Midlands Police
Coventry is served by the West Midlands Police, which provide policing services to Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry, and other towns and villages throughout the metropolitan area. The West Midlands Police are responsible for 2.8 million people (up 9% in the past 10 years) across an area covering 348 square miles.
The West Midlands Police are well-regarded by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. In the most recent assessment of police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy (PEEL), it was found that the extent to which the force is effective and legitimate at keeping people safe and reducing crime was good. Furthermore, the extent to which the force is efficient at keeping people safe and reducing crime was outstanding.
There are 3.9 police per 1,000 people in the West Midlands, down 17% since 2010. Of the West Midlands Police, 79% are frontline officers. To contact the West Midlands Police, call the hot line at 101, or call 999 if it’s an emergency.
Alternatively, you can connect with the West Midlands Police via the force website.
Coventry crime-prevention tips
While Coventry, on average, has a lower-than-average crime rate, it has a proportionately high rate of burglary. However, by taking the right precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of crime to yourself and your property.
West Midlands Police urge residents to consider what a burglar is looking for when deciding to break into a property. Some details that attract burglars include:
- A home that looks empty
- Easy access to the rear of the property
- Trees and foliage that can conceal them
- No visible signs of alarms or lighting
Having a modern, visible burglar alarm is an excellent way to reduce your risk of burglary. Many smart alarms are available today (have a look at our range here), which allow you to control your lighting from afar, so you can mimic an occupied home, with lights going on and off, even while you are away.
