Most Dangerous Neighbourhoods in Leicester: A Student Housing Safety Guide

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.

12 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. Fosse & Newfoundpool

Safety Index: 40/100
Fosse and Newfoundpool are bustling inner-city locations that are dangerous neighbourhoods in Leicester, which have high rates of crime, including violence, breaches of the peace, theft, and criminal damage. The foot traffic in the area means that crime is easier to take advantage of; students need to be careful.

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.

11. Eyres Monsell & Saffron Hill

Safety Index: 40/100
Even though Eyres Monsell and Saffron Hill are primarily residential neighborhoods to the south of Leicester, they still have a relatively high amount of criminal activities, including violence and vandalism. This is why it is a dangerous neighbourhood in Leicester, a point worth consideration for students who want to live there.

12. Spinney Hills

Safety Index: 45/100

However, while possessing many green patches and having a more rural atmosphere, Spinney Hills witnesses several incidents of criminal activities, such as violence, vandalism, and antisocial behaviors. Although quieter in some places compared to other parts of Leicester, students are advised to be careful, especially at night time.

Alternative areas for Students in Leicester

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.

How Amber Helps:

Amber offers great and affordable verified student accommodation options in safe neighbourhoods with amenities such as CCTV’s, Security doors, etc for peace of mind and the safety of the students. 

• Ben Russell Court, Leicester: £85/Week
• Queens Court, Leicester: £105/Week
• 10 Albion Street, Leicester: £112/Week
• Hops House, Leicester: £133/ 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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