England’s ‘Most Dangerous’ Car Park Sees Two Crimes Reported Daily
Car parks across England have become hotspots for crime, with one location standing out as the most dangerous. New research by Howden Insurance reveals that Westfield London, home to the UK’s largest shopping centre, tops the list with two crimes reported daily.
Between February 2023 and January 2024, a staggering 741 crimes were committed at Westfield London’s car park. These incidents range from keyed doors and vandalism to more severe offences, reflecting growing concerns about the safety of both individuals and their vehicles.
The research, which analyzed official police data, highlights the prevalence of various crimes at Westfield London’s car park. Shoplifting emerged as the most frequent offence with 237 incidents. This was followed by 152 instances of other thefts and 111 cases of theft from the person. Alarmingly, there were also 91 reports of violence and sexual offences, cementing its status as the country’s most crime-infested car park.
In second place is the car park at Gatwick Airport, where 689 crimes were reported. The majority of these were classified as other thefts (184), followed by 150 instances of antisocial behaviour. Gatwick Airport’s car park recorded a total of 580 crimes, with 203 incidents of other thefts, 98 cases of shoplifting, and 55 reports of violence and sexual offences, indicating airports are particularly susceptible to theft-related crimes.
Houndshill Car Park in Blackpool ranks fourth with 565 reported crimes. These include 205 shoplifting incidents and 122 cases of antisocial behaviour. Violence and sexual offences were also significant, with 104 reports.
Completing the top five is Hyde Park’s parking area, which saw 527 crimes. The most common offence was theft from the person (155), followed by violence and sexual offences (119) and other thefts (106).
The Westminster area, where Hyde Park is situated, reported 3,736 crimes in or around parking areas, making it the second worst region for car park crime. A spokesperson for Howden Insurance highlighted the troubling statistics: “Violence and sexual offences are more than five times more likely on or near a parking area than vehicle crime.”
The data underscores the importance of taking precautions when parking. Drivers are advised to park in well-lit, visible areas and to conceal any valuables to deter potential thieves. This proactive approach can help reduce the risk of becoming a victim in these crime-ridden zones.
As the situation escalates, it is clear that safety measures need to be reinforced to protect the public and their property. The findings from Howden Insurance serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against crime in England’s car parks.