BRIGHTON is one of the UK's pickpocketing hotspots, new research has found.

The study by Comparethemarket.com found that the city ranked eighth worst for pickpocket theft outside of London, with 912 incidents of theft over 2019 and 2020.

However, Brighton saw an almost 45 per cent drop in pickpocketing theft in 2020 compared to the previous year, with only 324 incidents, compared to 588 in 2019.

Leeds was ranked the worst for pickpocketing outside the capital, with 3,432 thefts over 2019 and 2020, with Sheffield and Newcastle making up the rest of the top three, with 1,536 and 1,289 thefts respectively over the same period.

Top 10 worst (outside of London)

  1. Leeds
  2. Sheffield
  3. Newcastly
  4. Bradford
  5. Bristol
  6. Leicester
  7. Brighton
  8. Kirklees
  9. Derby
  10. Cambridge

Brighton placed 32nd in the list of hotspots across the UK - with boroughs of London making up all but two of the top 20, with Westminster reporting the largest number of theft from a person crimes, totalling 27,524 over 2019 to 2020.

The Port of Dover was branded the safest place in the UK by the report, with zero thefts reported over the last two years.

The Isle of Wight, Dundee, Bridgend and Middlesbrough followed closely behind with just one theft from a person reported in 2019 and none reported in 2020.

With people increasingly taking "staycations" amid continuing disruption due to the pandemic, the price comparison website warned travellers to keep their personal belongings safe by storing expensive items in a hotel room safe, being discreet with valuable items - including mobile phones, cash and cameras, and to consider taking out travel insurance.

The report said: "Wherever you're travelling to in the UK, you should always keep your wits about you, protect your belongings and stay vigilant and alert to your surroundings.

"The level of pickpockets in an area is important to be aware of, but it shouldn't stop you from travelling somewhere you love to visit.

"If you're taking measures to protect your belongings, you're doing everything you can within your control to beat the pickpockets out there."

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