Fear of crime makes us turn our homes into fortresses and lock up our children. The urban poor, single mothers, and young men between the ages of 16 and 24, are in the highest risk categories. The middle classes and the elderly are least at risk. Using the Government's own figures the police regions are ranked in the following tables in order of crime committed.
Most regions have below average crime, with criminals concentrated in a few blighted areas.
All types of crime occur heavily in Strathclyde and Greater Manchester. Dwyfed-Powys and the Highlands are almost trouble free. The crime capital is Salford, Greater Manchester. Nottinghamshire Nottinghamshire Leicestershire Nottinghamshire W Midlands Merseyside Lincolnshire 39 Humberside Gtr. W Yorkshire S Wales 40 Metropolitan W Midlands W Yorkshire Gtr.