Coventry is one of the West Midlands' major cities, and its crime profile varies widely between districts. Coventry city centre (CV1) sits in a completely different crime environment from Earlsdon (CV5) or Finham (CV3). Knowing where a postcode falls on that spectrum matters a great deal for homebuyers, renters, and the city's large student population.
This breakdown uses recent data from the official UK Police API, covering the postcode districts that fall within the West Midlands Police force area.
Coventry Crime at a Glance
West Midlands Police covers Coventry alongside Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and the wider conurbation. Within Coventry, crime is concentrated in the city centre and several northern districts, while the western suburbs record consistently low counts.
| Postcode | Area | Character | Risk level |
|---|---|---|---|
| CV1 | City centre / Hillfields | Dense commercial, nightlife and student core | Higher |
| CV6 | Foleshill / Radford / Holbrooks | Northern residential, deprivation in parts | Higher |
| CV4 | Canley / Tile Hill / Westwood Heath | Western residential and student area | Medium |
| CV3 | Cheylesmore / Finham / Willenhall | Mixed south; Finham notably quieter | Medium |
| CV5 | Earlsdon / Allesley / Chapelfields | Affluent western residential | Lower |
Source: data.police.uk. Risk level is relative within the Coventry area.
The Safest Parts of Coventry
The most consistently low-crime postcodes in Coventry sit in the west and parts of the south. Earlsdon, Allesley and Chapelfields (CV5) are predominantly owner-occupied residential areas with a popular high street, period housing, and strong community ties.
Earlsdon in particular is one of Coventry's most sought-after areas and records consistently low crime, helped by settled residential streets and an active local community.
Finham (CV3), on the southern edge of the city, is another low-crime area, sitting in the same postcode district as the more mixed Cheylesmore and Willenhall. As ever, the district average hides real street-level variation.
Crime Hotspots in Coventry
Coventry city centre, covered by CV1, records some of the highest crime counts in the city. This reflects the concentration of retail, late-night venues, the two universities' central campuses, and a large transient population. Violence and sexual offences, public order, and theft from the person are all elevated here, with Hillfields nearby contributing an elevated residential profile.
Foleshill and Radford (CV6) have historically been among Coventry's higher-crime northern postcodes. Deprivation levels are above the national average in parts of these districts, and vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour are notably elevated. The student belt around Canley (CV4), near the University of Warwick, sees elevated burglary during term time.
What Crime Types Dominate in Coventry?
Across the West Midlands, violence and sexual offences consistently tops the crime category table. In Coventry city centre, theft from the person and public order are significantly elevated compared to suburban districts. Burglary is a particular concern in the student areas during term time.
Anti-social behaviour is notably higher in the central and northern districts, while the western suburbs see far lower counts.
Comparing Coventry to the National Average
Coventry sits above the national average for some categories, which is typical for a mid-sized city with a busy, university-heavy centre. The contrast between the northern districts and the western suburbs is the real story.
The safest suburbs compare very well with equivalent areas elsewhere. Earlsdon, Allesley, and Finham have crime profiles broadly similar to prosperous residential areas across the Midlands.
How to Check Your Coventry Postcode
District-level data gives you the broad picture. In Coventry, where the difference between neighbouring streets can be significant, ward-level data tells a more useful story. A CrimeSafe report gives you 24 months of trend data, a ward-level breakdown, outcome rates, and a safety score for any Coventry postcode.