Yahoo News Edinburgh's 10 'most dangerous' areas in 2024 named in new study - see full list
Edinburgh's 'most dangerous' areas have been named in new research that looked at crime rates across the country.
Security service company Churchill Support Services published a report on the areas in the capital where crime rates are highest, using statistics from the Scottish police data repository.
This comes after Edinburgh was ranked seventh among the most dangerous areas in Scotland as the the city saw 34,976 crimes over the course of 2023 into 2024.
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Topping Edinburgh's most dangerous area is the city centre, according to the research. While it attracts thousands of tourists and is hailed as one of the most beautiful city's with its historic architecture, the latest report shows a slew of crime have taken place within the year.
According to the data, there have been 267.7 crimes committed per 1000 residents.
Edinburgh’s main issue lies in the rate of crimes of dishonesty (3,461 incidents), which makes up more than 37 per cent 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).
Coming in second is Leith where 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).
In third place, according to the report, is Sighthill and Gorgie.
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. While the area has seen a steady influx of people, it has been marked as having one of the highest rates of crime with 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 per cent and 13 per cent 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.
Meanwhile Almond and Portobello and Craigmillar are sitting at fourth and fifth place. Almond consists of several built-up residential areas in Kirkliston, Cramond, Barnton, and Scotstoun, as well as Edinburgh’s major international airport. Accoding to the report, the crime rate 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).
Portobello and Craigmillar has seen crimes of dishonesty marked as the most 'revalent issue' for those working and living in the area with 905 offences. Shoplifting makes up a significant proportion of that with 312 offences recorded. The experts have also seen worrying rises across motor vehicle crimes (524 offences) and criminal damage (434 offences).
At the bottom of the list is Craigentinny and Duddingston in ninth place and Fountainbridge and Craiglockhart in 10th.
The team at Churchill Support Services praise Craigentinny and Duddingston for its lush surroundings and green spaces, nothing the modern neighbourhoods which looks out over the Firth of Forth. However while locals enjoy the views of the sea, there are still high rates across crimes of dishonesty (781 incidents), motor vehicle offences (290 incidents) and criminal damage (276 incidents) all sparking concern for safety and security across the region.
Meanwhile the popular areas in Fountainbridge and Craiglockhart have a 'stable crime rate of 68.3 crimes per 1000 residents,' according to the experts.
According to the report, Crimes of dishonesty (578 offences) and motor vehicle crimes (248 offences) are the two most prevalent issues in the area, but there’s equal concern for the rising numbers across violent assault (212 offences), which has seen a year-on-year increase.
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Top 10 'most dangerous areas' in Edinburgh
City Centre
Leith
Sighthill & Gorgie
Almond
Portobello & Craigmillar
Liberton & Gilmerton
Southside & Newington
Forth
Craigentinny & Duddingston
Fountainbridge & Craiglockhart
