10 Dangerous Neighbourhoods In Leicester To Avoid: A Guide For Students

Leicester is an exciting and cosmopolitan university city in the UK that boasts an excellent academic reputation and a multi-cultural atmosphere. The presence of universities such as the University of Leicester and De Montfort University means that there are thousands of students who flock to the city every year. The lively city centre, historical background, and affordable lifestyle are some of the reasons why Leicester is an attractive destination for students. Having the correct idea of which areas are safe and avoiding the dangerous neighbourhoods in Leicester is a smart call. 

Affordability-wise, Leicester is relatively less expensive compared to other big cities in the UK. The cost of living in Leicester for students ranges from £650 to £1,050 per month, depending on the cost of student accommodation in Leicester, ranging from £300 to £600 per month. This makes the housing option viable compared to other cities like NYC or London. There are ample job opportunities for students in Leicester, mainly in retail, hospitality, and temporary employment. Although the employment rate in Leicester is around 67.5%, and the happiness index is around 7.3/10, the safety index of Leicester stands at around 52/100, making it fall into the category of a moderately safe city. Though several neighbourhoods are considered ideal for students, the crime in Leicester is higher than the national average in England, implying that caution needs to be exercised while selecting shared accommodation in Leicester. However, the city is an excellent destination for studies with proper knowledge of the dangerous neighbourhoods in Leicester.

10 Dangerous Neighbourhoods in Leicester

It is ideal to know and avoid certain areas with high crime rates in Leicester, according to statistics. Although it may not necessarily be dangerous, students must remain cautious, investigate individual streets, and stay away from dark and deserted spots. Differentiating between the dangerous and safe neighbourhoods in Leicester allows students to make informed decisions about the city they would be staying in long-term. This is especially important for international students who are travelling to a new city for education or career prospects. 

1. Highfields

Safety Index: 40/100
Highfields is cited as one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in Leicester. This is due to its high population density and its location within the city centre, which results in high levels of antisocial behaviour and theft. Another factor leading to this is the overcrowding of the streets, which makes it easier to commit opportunistic crimes. It is advised to be highly cautious in this area, as it is one of the roughest areas in Leicester. 

2. St Matthews

Safety Index: 40-45/100

St Matthews is considered one of the roughest neighborhoods in Leicester because it has had several social and economic problems for years. St Matthews suffers from a high incidence of antisocial behavior, thefts, and crimes related to drugs. This location is near the city center with densely occupied housing. Regeneration works have made improvements in this area, but new residents should continue exercising caution when venturing around in this dangerous neighborhood in Leicester.

3. Braunstone

Safety Index: 45/100
Historically, Braunstone has had high crime rates, which are related to its socio-economic state and large housing estates. Anti-social behaviour, burglaries, and car crime are among the more prevalent types. Although some areas have seen improvements, it is still smart to avoid this dangerous neighbourhood in Leicester. 

4. New Parks

Safety Index: 40/100
The New Parks area is known to experience high rates of crime due to economic poverty and lack of employment opportunities. Such situations may result in antisocial activities and crimes, which means that students who prefer peace would find it smart to avoid this dangerous neighbourhood in Leicester.

5. Beaumont Leys

Safety Index: 45/100
Beaumont Leys is rated as having a moderate safety index, where crime in Leicester is typically associated with the suburbs that form the community and the high density of the population there. Theft, vandalism, and antisocial behaviour are typical problems. It is ideal to avoid this area as it is on the list of dangerous neighbourhoods in Leicester. 

6. Westcotes

Safety Index: 50/100
Despite Westcote's attraction to the student population because of its closeness to De Montfort University, this also results in elevated crime rates. This can be attributed to the shared accommodation and lively nights out that may attract burglaries and criminal activities. This neighbourhood has some affordable student accommodation in Leicester, but it is ideal to avoid it due to its rough background and its association with being a dangerous neighbourhood in Leicester.

7. Evington

Safety Index: 50/100
Evington is a mixture of areas with average criminal activity. Even though the area might be less busy compared to other cities, there have been cases of theft and anti-social behaviour. Regardless, Evington makes it on the list of dangerous neighbourhoods in Leicester to avoid as a precautionary measure. 

8. Belgrave

Safety Index: 50/100
Belgrave is rich in culture, but experiences relatively moderate crime rates as a result of its bustling economic environment and high density of inhabitants. The presence of people can give rise to petty crimes such as pickpocketing and theft. It is good to be cautious of this dangerous neighbourhood in Leicester at night. 

9. Aylestone

Safety Index: 50–55/100
Aylestone is fairly safe, with most crimes taking place concerning burglaries. As the area is more suburban, it is less congested, but this poses a risk in terms of reduced surveillance when it gets dark. It is smart to be vigilant in this dangerous neighbourhood in Leicester.

10. Thurnby Lodge

Safety Index: 45–50/100
The crime rate at Thurnby Lodge is moderately high due to its residential estate nature and little economic activity. The most frequent offences include theft and antisocial behaviour, especially in less active areas of the community. It is advisable to avoid dodgy areas in this dangerous neighbourhood in Leicester and avoid travelling at night. 

5 Safest Neighbourhoods in Leicester for Students

Students who plan to stay in Leicester can find an area that will be safe for them, which will help them study without any problems and make their lives easier. Here is a list of places considered safer because of low crime rates and good infrastructure.

1. Clarendon Park

Safety Index: 75/100
Nearest Universities: University of Leicester (5–10 min drive), De Montfort University (10–15 min drive)
Clarendon Park is among the best student areas in Leicester due to its relatively high level of safety. This can be attributed to the fact that the area is inhabited by many students who use the area and contribute to its development into a flourishing community. Besides, there are lots of cafes and stores in the neighbourhood that create an atmosphere of surveillance. Amber eases the process of choosing the correct student accommodation in Clarendon Park by providing verified properties in safe locations. Some properties you can choose from include:

• Regents Court, Leicester: £95/Week
• Ben Russell Court, Leicester: £85/Week

2. Stoneygate

Safety Index: 80/100
Nearest Universities: University of Leicester (5–10 min drive), De Montfort University (10–15 min drive)
Stoneygate is a peaceful neighbourhood characterised by its tree-lined roads and properly kept houses. The reason why the crime levels are low in Stoneygate is mainly that the neighbourhood is inhabited by wealthy people, among other factors that include a lack of busy nightlife and the presence of families living within the vicinity. This is also a good area for students looking for student accommodation in Stoneygate. Some properties you can explore are:

• Pennine House, Leicester: £109/Week
• Queens Court, Leicester: £105/Week

3. Knighton

Safety Index: 85/100
Nearest Universities: University of Leicester (10–15 min drive), De Montfort University (15–20 min drive)
Knighton is regarded as one of the safest areas in Leicester for students, having a very high safety rating. This region enjoys low population density, good residential planning, and tight community bonds. The crime rate is kept at bay by a lack of commercial activity and nightlife. Students residing in Knighton enjoy an extremely safe environment, situated far from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. This neighbourhood, due to its proximity, is a great option for students looking for student accommodation in Knighton. Some stay options include:

• Liberty Park, Leicester: £118/Week
• 10 Albion Street, Leicester: £112/Week

4. Oadby

Safety Index: 85/100
Nearest Universities: University of Leicester (10–15 min drive), De Montfort University (15–20 min drive)
Oadby is an ideal suburban neighbourhood with consistently low crime levels. This is due to the family-friendly nature of the environment, well-built infrastructure, and availability of student housing provided by universities within its proximity. The suburb is adequately lit, well-connected, and has sufficient activity with minimal nightlife. This is why living in the student accommodation at Oadby is an ideal choice. Some properties include:

• Mintworks, Leicester: £120/ Week
• Hops House, Leicester: £133/ Week

5. Glenfield

Safety Index: 80/100
Nearest Universities: De Montfort University (10–15 min drive), University of Leicester (15–20 min drive)
Glenfield is one of the best suburbs in Leicester, which is characterised by its calm environment and lower rates of criminal activity. This suburb has a safer environment due to its stable resident community, less dense residential areas, and lack of nightlife. It is also characterised by well-developed road networks, which make it easier for commuting students. The proximity to the universities in this neighbourhood makes it an ideal location for students looking for student accommodation in Glenfield. Some options include:

• Castle Court, Leicester: £120/ Week
• Tudor Studios, Leicester: £120/ Week

Safety Tips for Students in Leicester

Living in Leicester can be a great experience; however, one needs to be careful about safety issues, especially if they are new to the city. By following some basic safety measures, one can easily avoid the dangerous neighbourhoods in Leicester and live a peaceful and successful student life.

• Walk through well-lit and busy streets: Try not to walk on deserted and poorly-lit streets; instead, walk on main streets.
• Find out about the crime rate of the particular postcodes: Find out how safe the area around the street you plan to stay is, and check the crime rate for each street individually.
• Use legitimate means of transport: Prefer using taxis, buses, trains, and the metro to reach home after late-night parties.
• Secure your accommodation: Ensure doors and windows are locked, and choose housing with security features where possible.
• Keep your place secured: Keep your apartment or house locked always, and prefer to rent an accommodation with basic security arrangements.
• University of Leicester's Security team (available 24/7), De Montfort's campus security, Leicestershire Police's 101 non-emergency line. 
• Take extra care in crowded places: Keep your gadgets safe in crowded places such as the city centre and stations.

Conclusion

All in all, Leicester provides an excellent environment for its students, with cheap housing and good education. Nonetheless, as in any big city, there are neighbourhoods that have areas with high crime rates in Leicester. With proper accommodation selection and location research, students can ensure a pleasant stay by avoiding the dangerous neighbourhoods in Leicester.

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