Skegness recorded 181 offences per 1,000 people which is more than double the UK average of 87, but Cleethorpes and Margate were close behind
As the birthplace of Butlin’s, it has been adored by generations of holidaymakers. But analysis suggests the most crime -plagued seaside resort in the country is… Skegness.
“Skeggy”, also fondly known as Skeg Vegas, has recorded a rate of 181 offences per 1,000 inhabitants – more than double the UK average of 87.
In contrast, the seaside town of Padstow in Cornwall – where chef Rick Stein has four restaurants – is the safest seaside place, with just 14 offences per 1,000 people.
Skegness has been blighted by crime in recent years. Over the last Bank Holiday weekend alone, a man was shot in the leg with a pellet gun and a woman was assaulted.
Last month, five people were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a metal pole was used in an attack that left the victim with life changing injuries. And cops made a GBH arrest after an alleged assault in the car park of a McDonald’s restaurant.
The trouble comes a century after Billy Butlin set up his first amusement stall on the town’s seafront. He opened his first holiday camp in 1936. But today’s visitors insist the findings will not stop them coming to Skeggy.
Rod Horne, who had travelled from Lincoln with his wife Dee and grandson Harrison, five, said: “I’m really surprised by those figures. We come here quite regularly and we’ve not seen any problems.”
Darren Jones, who runs a coffee and doughnut stall on the pier, added: “I’ve worked all over the country and I have to say, everyone is really positive about this town.
“Skegness is fantastic – a very community-based place. During half-term, the town was packed with people who keep coming back and others who had come here for the first time. It’s a great place.”
Researchers analysed the 2023 crime figures for dozens of the most popular seaside resorts in England and Wales. They compared data from the crimerate.co.uk, which uses government figures to track violent crime, sexual offences, robbery, burglary, criminal damage, drug offences, theft, possession of weapons, public order offences and vehicle crime.
Howden Insurance, which compiled the research, said: “It sheds light on the safety of seaside spots for travellers, especially those travelling solo or with young children.”
The second most crimehit resort in the survey is Cleethorpes, 30 miles up the Lincolnshire coast, with 177 crimes per 1,000 people, followed by Margate in Kent.
Scarborough, in North Yorks, came fourth, followed by Blackpool, Lancs.
The second safest resort was St Ives in Cornwall with just 19 crimes per 1,000 people, followed by Ilfracombe in Devon and Falmouth in Cornwall.
They were the joint third safest on 36 crimes per 1,000 people. The Devon city of Plymouth was fifth safest.
Number of crimes per people
Top five
- Skegness: 181
- Cleethorpes: 177
- Margate: 157
- Scarborough: 152
- Blackpool: 151
Bottom five
- Plymouth: 49
- Falmouth: 36
- Ilfracombe: 36
- St Ives: 19
- Padstow: 14
