Kingston upon Hull, more commonly known as Hull, is a port city in East Yorkshire with a rich maritime and cultural heritage. Hull is a great place to live and work but understanding the city’s crime landscape is important for business owners and residents to make informed decisions about safety and resource allocation. In this article we delve into the latest crime data for Hull, highlighting crime rates, the most common offences and which areas of the city are the safest, and which are victim to the highest rates of crime.
According to Plumplot, as of January 2025, the annual crime rate in Hull stands at 46.5 crimes per 1,000 people. This figure is 33% higher than the UK national average, positioning Hull as the 11th highest in crime out of 99 postcode areas in the country.
Violent crime is a significant concern in Hull, accounting for 41.7% of all reported offences in the area. In real terms, this translates to approximately 20,500 incidents of violent crime between January 2024 and December 2024. Encouragingly, this number represents a 4.5% decrease compared to the previous year, indicating progress in addressing violent offences, but there is still work to be done to bring this figure down.
From violent crime to shoplifting, Hull continues to grapple with a range of security concerns. While some crime rates are falling, others remain significantly higher than the UK’s national average, highlighting the need for continued security vigilance and investment in safety measures. Below, we explore the crimes impacting Hull the most.
Violent Crime: | 41.7% (of overall crimes) Violent crime remains Hull’s most pressing issue. While incidents have decreased by 4.5% over the past year, the crime rate is still 33% above the national average, highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance and crime prevention measures. |
Public Order Offenses: | 9.7% Public order offenses remain a concern in Hull. Despite a 23.5% reduction in cases year-on-year, the rate is still 49% higher than the national average, affecting public spaces and community safety. |
Shoplifting: | 8.7% Retailers in Hull continue to face challenges with shoplifters. Although incidents have decreased by 6.3%, Hull’s shoplifting rate is still 15% higher than the national average, posing difficulties for businesses across the city. |
Criminal Damage and Arson: | 8.7% Criminal damage and arson affect homes, businesses and public spaces across Hull. While cases have declined by 18%, the crime rate remains 26% higher than the national average, causing financial and emotional strain on victims. |
Antisocial Behaviour: | 8% Antisocial behaviour in Hull remains a familiar issue in urban areas. Encouragingly, reports have decreased by 12.9% year-on-year and Hull’s rate is now 44% below the national average, suggesting improvements in community safety initiatives. |
Bicycle Theft: | 1.6% Hull has one of the highest rates of bicycle theft in the UK. Despite a 19.5% decrease in incidents over the past year, the rate remains a staggering 83% higher than the national average, indicating a persistent problem for cyclists. |
Drugs: | 1.4% Drug-related offences in Hull have risen by 33.7% year-on-year. Despite Hull’s rate being 49% lower than the national average, the sharp increase raises concerns about growing drug-related activity in the city. |
As with all cities in the UK, crime rates in Hull vary across different postcodes, with some areas experiencing higher incidences than others. Understanding the crime rates across Hull can help business owners to plan and allocate their security resources effectively to better protect their property, people and assets.
The data indicates that while certain areas in Hull experience higher crime rates, others maintain relatively low levels of crime. For residents and businesses, especially those in higher-risk areas, investing in robust security measures such as CCTV and manned guarding is essential.
With Hull experiencing higher-than-average crime rates in categories like violent crime, shoplifting and burglary, business owners (especially those in high-risk areas) must take proactive steps to protect their assets. Investing in professional security measures can significantly reduce the likelihood of crime and provide peace of mind. Here are some security services these businesses should consider:
Break-ins and attempted thefts can occur at any time, particularly during off-hours when businesses are unoccupied. Alarm response and key holding services ensure that any triggered alarms are dealt with promptly by trained security professionals, preventing risk to your personnel and any unnecessary disruption. With a dedicated response team, businesses can avoid sending untrained staff into potentially dangerous situations.
For Hull businesses located in industrial estates, retail parks and areas prone to antisocial behaviour, mobile patrols provide an effective deterrent against crime. These security professionals conduct scheduled and random checks, monitoring for suspicious activity and responding quickly to incidents. The visible presence of patrols alone is often enough to discourage criminals from targeting a property.
Manned guarding remains one of the most effective ways to prevent crime in commercial settings. Trained security officers can monitor entrances, manage access control and respond immediately to threats. Businesses handling valuable goods, such as retailers, warehouses and logistics firms, can particularly benefit from having security guards on-site to deter shoplifting, theft and unauthorized access.
In addition to professional security services, businesses should consider implementing:
A well-monitored CCTV system acts as both a deterrent and a tool for gathering evidence if an incident occurs. Modern CCTV technology allows for remote monitoring, enabling businesses to stay protected even when staff are off-site.
Restricting access to authorised personnel using access control systems, can help prevent theft and trespassing, particularly in office buildings, warehouses, and restricted zones.
Well-lit exteriors discourage trespassers and improve visibility for CCTV cameras, making criminal activity easier to detect. Find out more about security lighting today.
Ensuring employees know how to identify suspicious behaviour and respond to security threats can significantly improve workplace safety.
As demand for security services in Hull continues to rise, partnering with a trusted security company provides peace of mind, rapid response times and effective crime prevention strategies. Whether you need corporate security, construction site protection, or retail loss prevention, working with a reputable security company such as Triton Security in Hull is the best way to safeguard your property and people.
Sources: Crime Rate, Plumplot, ilivehere. crimestatistics