Cleveland, England has been revealed to have the highest rate of homicides in England and Wales, shocking new data shows. According to reports from earlier this month, the homicide rate in Cleveland has been steadily increasing over the past three years after a decline during the initial COVID-19 outbreak. In the 2022/23 period, the homicide rate per million people in Cleveland was 19.3, the highest in England and Wales, with the average rate being 10.9.
Despite its relatively small population compared to other areas, the Cleveland force recorded 13 homicides in the past 12 months. Office for National Statistics (ONS) statistics also indicate that Cleveland tops the list in the UK for crime and violent crime rates per 1,000 population, with the second worst recorded crime rate in terms of knife attacks.
Among the notable crimes reported by Teesside Live is the murder of Antonino “Nino” Calabro, 26, and his fiancée Francesca Di Dio. The pair were tragically bludgeoned to death by Andrea Cardinale in a shocking attack that occurred in Stockton.
Cardinale, who was suffering from undiagnosed paranoid schizophrenia, planned to set fire to the bodies of Calabro and Di Dio after killing them. However, a fire never occurred despite his preparations. The 22-year-old’s father discovered the gruesome scene and contacted emergency services.
In a separate case, Dave Thompson-Love, an alcoholic with a criminal record, was sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of his close friend, Maurice ‘Moza’ Bennett. Thompson-Love fatally injured Bennett, 54, using various objects in Bennett’s own flat in Ormesby, Middlesbrough.
These cases shed light on the disturbing trend of violent crimes in the region, with perpetrators facing severe consequences for their actions. The sentences handed down by the courts reflect the gravity of the crimes committed and highlight the impact of such offenses on the victims’ families and the community at large.