Ballymena vs Belfast — Crime Comparison 2026

Side-by-side crime statistics from official UK Police data.

Ballymena

BT42 · Ballymena

178

crimes in March 2026

Near national average

  • Anti-social behaviour62
  • Violence & sexual offences59
  • Criminal damage & arson26

Belfast

BT1 · Belfast

1,499

crimes in March 2026

Above national average

  • Anti-social behaviour483
  • Violence & sexual offences406
  • Shoplifting138

Ballymena has less crime — 178 vs 1,499 incidents in March 2026.

What the data shows

Belfast recorded substantially more crime than Ballymena in March 2026 — 1,499 incidents compared to 178, a 8.4x difference. The crime profiles diverge meaningfully: Ballymena sees higher rates of Criminal damage & arson (26), while Belfast has more Shoplifting (138). Both areas sit near the national average, with modest differences in their overall safety profile.

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Full reports cover 24 months of trends, ward breakdowns, outcome rates, and a detailed safety score — from £4.99.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Ballymena or Belfast safer?

Based on March 2026 Police data, Ballymena recorded fewer crimes than Belfast — 178 vs 1,499 incidents. That is 88% fewer crimes. Belfast is above the national average.

What are the main differences in crime between Ballymena and Belfast?

The main difference lies in crime type. In March 2026, Ballymena saw higher rates of Criminal damage & arson while Belfast had more Shoplifting. Overall, Ballymena recorded fewer total crimes (178 vs 1,499).

Compare other areas

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