Nottingham and Stoke-on-Trent have been named among the worst areas in England for sexual offences, according to official crime data. Nottingham ranks eighth nationally with 5.2 offences per 1,000 residents, while Stoke-on-Trent comes tenth with 5 offences per 1,000 people. The figures cover rape, sexual assault, exposure, voyeurism and grooming offences, with rates calculated based on population size rather than total numbers.
National context and trends
Police recorded 217,000 sexual offences across England and Wales in the year ending March 2026. Sex crime increased by 4% last year and has more than doubled since 2016. Despite rising reports, conviction rates remain low, with fewer than one in 20 cases resulting in charges.
Birmingham surprisingly did not feature in the top 10 hotspots despite its large population. The data highlights that smaller cities can have higher per-capita rates, reflecting localised issues that may not be visible in total crime counts.
Implications for the Midlands
The inclusion of two Midlands cities in the top 10 underscores a regional concern. Local authorities and police forces may need to focus on prevention and support services, given the low charge rate nationally. The data also suggests that while reporting is up, the criminal justice system faces challenges in bringing cases to court.
These statistics come from official crime records for the year ending March 2026. They serve as a benchmark for measuring future progress in tackling sexual offences across England and Wales.
