Security company Churchill Support Services delved into official crime statistics to determine which areas have the highest crime rates per 10,000 people.
Ranking seventh amongst the most dangerous areas in Scotland, Edinburgh saw 34,976 crimes over the course of 2023 into 2024. A deeper dive uncovers significant rates of crimes of dishonesty (17,099 incidents), road traffic offences (8,439 incidents) and violent crime (7,278 incidents), all of which underscore the need for effective security in the city.
A spokesperson for Churchill Support Services said: “We’ve opted to break down Edinburgh by its local council wards. We’ve then displayed this as a ratio of the number of crimes per 1000 people living in that area. This allows us to take into account the size of the area, as well as crucial variables like population and area density.”
Scroll through our picture gallery to see the 15 most dangerous areas of Edinburgh for crime.
5. 12. Pentland Hills
Overall Crime Rate Of 64.7 Crimes Per 1000 People. A sprawling ward of Edinburgh, the region of Pentland Hills adopts the name given to the range of hills that border it, which cast an impressive natural shadow over the labyrinthine neighbourhoods and residential areas. This close-knit sense of community means that Pentland Hills sees a relatively standard crime rate of 66.3 crimes per 1000 residents. Within that, however, there are points of concern, with the chief among them being crimes of dishonesty (885 offences) which make up 40% of all crimes in Pentland Hills. Outside of that, the area sees substantial rates across both violent assault (350 offences) and criminal damage (337 offences). Photo: Google Street View
6. 11. Leith Walk
Overall Crime Rate Of 66.3 Crimes Per 1000 People. Made infamous by its long stretch of uninterrupted road that leads from the very heart of the city to its bustling docklands, Leith Walk encompasses not just the city’s longest roadway, but the winding banks and biodiversity of the Water of Leith. It’s perhaps no surprise, then, that the region sees a comparatively low crime rate of 66.3 crimes per 1000 residents. There’s still cause for alarm among Leith Walk residents, however. The major issue for the region is crimes of dishonesty (885 incidents), but there’s also an equally warranted concern for the rising numbers across motor vehicle offences (226 incidents) and criminal damage (211 incidents). Photo: Google Street View
7. 10. Fountainbridge & Craiglockhart
Overall Crime Rate Of 68.3 Crimes Per 1000 People. Combining the modernity and convenience of a vibrant retail economy in Fountainbridge, and a clear sense of Scotland’s rich tapestry of heritage and history in Craiglockhart and its crumbling castles, it’ll come as no surprise that this is one of Edinburgh’s more popular areas. That’s further compounded by a stable crime rate of 68.3 crimes per 1000 residents. There are still issues to consider for residents and businesses, though. Crimes of dishonesty (578 offences) and motor vehicle crimes (248 offences) are the two most prevalent issues, but there’s equal concern for the rising numbers across violent assault (212 offences), which has seen a year-on-year increase. Photo: Google Street View
8. 9. Craigentinny & Duddingston
Overall Crime Rate Of 70.6 Crimes Per 1000 People. Craigentinny and Duddingston encompasses a huge complement of green spaces and natural beauty, juxtaposed against a backdrop of modern neighbourhoods and sweeping views out over the Firth of Forth. That well-struck balance ensures that the crime rate has stayed lower than the city’s average at 70.6 crimes per 1000 residents. That’s not to say that residents and businesses alike haven’t got cause for alarm. High rates across crimes of dishonesty (781 incidents), motor vehicle offences (290 incidents) and criminal damage (276 incidents) all spark concern for safety and security across the region. Photo: Google Street View