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.
13. 4. Almond
Overall Crime Rate Of 87.3 Crimes Per 1000 People. Named after the picturesque river that runs through the heart of the ward, Almond encompasses several built-up residential areas in Kirkliston, Cramond, Barnton, and Scotstoun, as well as Edinburgh’s major international airport. That consistent stream of people has sadly led to a crime rate that hovers at the city-wide average, at 87.3 crimes per 1000 residents. The major issue for the ward, and one that’s been a constant thorn in the side of policing and security efforts, is the soaring rate of drug crime (628 incidents), making up over a quarter of all the crime in the ward. The region also sees a substantial rate of both crimes of dishonesty (737 incidents) and motor vehicle offences (609 incidents). Photo: Google Street View
14. 3. Sighthill & Gorgie
Overall Crime Rate Of 102.2 Crimes Per 1000 People. A major residential region of West Edinburgh, and home to a thriving sports scene with Hearts of Midlothian, the borough of Sighthill and Gorgie combines the hustle and bustle of weekend crowds with substantial housing opportunities in Pinkston and Sighthill. That popularity and steady influx of people means the region sees one of the highest rates of crime – 102.2 crimes per 1000 residents. As part of that rate, we find worrying statistics across two distinct types of crime – crimes of dishonesty (1047 offences) and violent assault (418 offences), which represent 33% and 13% of the region’s criminality respectively. There are similarly high numbers of criminal damage incidents (430 offences), underlining the need for effective security across the Scottish capital. Photo: Google Street View
15. 2. Leith
Overall Crime Rate Of 106.9 Crimes Per 1000 People. Leith has a complement of high-rise apartments, government housing and small businesses that seek to capture that residential audience. However, there is significant cause for concern for entrepreneurs and homeowners alike, with a soaring crime rate of 106.9 crimes per 1000 residents. Crimes of dishonesty (894 incidents) are the most prevalent problem for the region, with shoplifting seeing 263 incidents alone. Outside of that, Leith sees concerning figures across motor vehicle offences (345 incidents), criminal damage (213 incidents), and drug offences (142 incidents). Photo: Google Street View
16. 1. City Centre
Overall Crime Rate Of 267.7 Crimes Per 1000 People. Edinburgh’s city centre has a shocking crime rate of 267.7 crimes per 1000 residents. The main issue lies in the rate of crimes of dishonesty (3,461 incidents), which makes up more than 37% of all crime in the city centre. That comes in addition to startling numbers across violent assault (1,496 incidents), motor vehicle offences (596 incidents) and criminal damage (570 incidents). Photo: Google Street View