9.13.1 The relatively low levels of crime in the South West are, in part, a reflection of its predominant rurality. Indeed, the highest rates of crime in the region are to be found in its large urban centres and the highest rate of crime in the region is found in Bristol, the largest city, while the rural areas have comparatively low levels of crime.
9.13.2 There are many crime-related measures by which the South West performs better than England and Wales overall. For example in 2009/10: the recorded crime rate was lower; the BCS victimisation rate of household crime was lower; more people rated the police highly; and fewer people perceived there to be high levels of anti-social behaviour.
9.13.3 Lower levels of crime contribute to the attractiveness of the South West as a place to live and work. However, especially in the more urban areas, the region contains places with levels of crime well in excess of the national average. The South West has a varied landscape, and this variation is reflected in crime as it is in many policy areas, and especially in urban areas the region faces many of the same challenging crime-related issues as elsewhere in the country. The region remains though one of the safest in the country, and the crime figures suggest that the common perception of the South West as a relatively safe region is well founded.
