Leeds people have opened up about their thoughts on crime in the city centre after the area was dubbed one of the most dangerous place in the UK.
Leeds city centre has been named the most the most dangerous place in the UK, in terms of crime, outside of London. In the centre of the city, there are 1,366 offences for every 1,000 residents. This adds up to one offence being committed every 41 minutes.
This is both the highest crime rate in Yorkshire and the third highest crime rate out of nearly 7,000 neighbourhoods across England and Wales. Shoplifting and public order offences, were named as the highest in the country, and violent and sexual offences were the third highest, according to last year's statistics.
Read more: New junction to be built near Leeds United's Elland Road Stadium as M621 slip road to be shut
Painter and decorator James Keane, 34, from Chapeltown, said: “I feel very safe in the city centre. I come down here regularly. I’ve never had one problem.
“I can see how a vulnerable person would get intimidated as there are so many different characters here. There are vulnerable people everywhere, it’s a main begging point as well. You see a lot of spice, people on it. It’s very sad.
“I’d like to see more intervention with the drug abuse. If you’re an out of town person, coming from London, and you see this…”
Student witnessed a 'stabbing'
University of Leeds students Dan Grab, 21, Dan Zile, 18, and Enzo Frisoli, 19, were preparing to have a meal in Leeds' 'most dangerous" street, Duncan Street, when they opened up about their experiences.
Dan Zile said he had seen someone 'stabbed' in the city-centre street, opening up about the horrific experience.
Dan Grab, from Lithuania, said: “You do hear some rows around, but a lot of people just go from to bars other bars drunk. I’ve never seen actual crime going on. The only thing I’ve ever noticed is like a smashed window, that’s about it.
“It does surprise me, I’ve been here during the night many times and I was part of the ‘drunken disorderly’ on this street singing Lithuanian songs and sitting by the bench having a McDonald’s meal.” Leeds Live asked West Yorkshire Police for a comment.
Read next:
- Leeds people devastated and 'heartbroken' as The Core Shopping Centre faces being demolished
- 'I saw someone get stabbed': What it's really like in 'Leeds' most dangerous street'
- Outraged Leeds locals defend their area branded 'scary and crime-ridden'
- Leeds dad stunned to find his 'long Covid' was actually a brain tumour
- 'I stay up at night worrying... you don't know what's going to happen': Life in scary Leeds suburb
