Cleveland, England has been revealed to have the highest homicide rate in all of England and Wales. Recent data shows a concerning trend of increasing homicides over the past three years in Cleveland, following a temporary decline during the initial covid-19 outbreak. The homicide rate in Cleveland for the year 2022/23 was 19.3 per million people, surpassing the national average of 10.9.
Despite its relatively small population compared to other areas, Cleveland recorded 13 homicides in the past year. Office for National Statistics (ONS) data also indicates that Cleveland leads the UK in both overall crime rates and rates of violent crime per 1,000 population. Furthermore, Cleveland has the unfortunate distinction of having the second-highest recorded crime rate related to knife attacks.
Teesside Live has extensively reported on various crimes in the region, including the tragic murder of 26-year-old Antonino “Nino” Calabro and his fiancé Francesca Di Dio by Andrea Cardinale in Stockton. Cardinale, who was suffering from undiagnosed paranoid schizophrenia, carried out the brutal attack on the couple, planning to set fire to their bodies but ultimately failing to do so.
In a separate case, alcoholic Dave Thompson-Love was sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of his close friend, Maurice ‘Moza’ Bennett. Thompson-Love inflicted fatal injuries on Mr. Bennett using various objects, including knives, a kettle, a potato peeler, and a tin of food. The heinous nature of the attack, with Mr. Bennett sustaining 46 stab wounds to his face and neck, shocked the community.
Another disturbing case involved the murder of Ian Macneil by Dean Williams during a drug-related dispute. Williams assaulted his friend Macneil, resulting in fatal injuries. Williams received a life sentence for the vicious attack, marking another tragic instance of violence in Middlesbrough.
In Hartlepool, a family dispute turned deadly when Sarah Hadfield, along with her partner Steven Corbett and her brother Anthony Hadfield, chased down and fatally stabbed 30-year-old Adam Thomson. The trio were all convicted of manslaughter and received lengthy prison sentences for their roles in Thomson’s murder.
The heartbreaking case of Marie Metcalfe, who fatally stabbed her older sister Laura Metcalfe in Hartlepool following a long-standing feud, resulted in a life sentence for Marie. The tragic incident further highlighted the devastating impact of family violence in the community.
These accounts of violence and tragedy underscore the grim reality of homicide rates in Cleveland and the surrounding areas. The impact on victims, their families, and the community at large serves as a stark reminder of the need for continued efforts to address and prevent such senseless acts of violence. Violence prevention and mental health support remain crucial in combatting the disturbing trend of rising homicides.