Violent crime costs the UK economy £124 billion, report suggests Theft was estimated to cost society almost £4 billion, while burglary has an overall bill of £5.3 billion. Researchers found that while murder had fallen significantly and was now at its lowest level since 1978, the UK violent crime rate remained higher that the European Union average. Entitled the UK Peace Index (UKPI), the report, also provides a comprehensive measure of where the most peaceful and least violent places to live in Britain are. According to a series of indicators the most peaceful local authority to live in Britain is Broadlands in Norfolk, where there have only been six recorded murders in the last decade and only eight incidents involving weapons in 2012. The least peaceful local authority in the UK was Lewisham in south London with an average of seven murders a year since 2003. Steve Killelea, the founder and chairman of the Institute of Economics and Peace said: "According to the results of the UKPI, poverty and lack of employment are closely related to high levels of crime. By focusing on creating high-levels of employment in deprived areas, it is possible to reduce the levels of crime. He added: "Through ranking the relative peacefulness of different areas and understanding the socioeconomic factors associated with peace, as well as ascribing an economic value to peace, we can help guide policy direction and a better understanding of how to prevent crime."