A comprehensive study by sexual health experts at Condoms UK has pinpointed Islington as England’s STI capital, based on an in-depth analysis of diagnosis rates across the country’s 50 most populous towns and cities. The research, which calculated a unique risk score out of 100 using cases per 100,000 residents, places Islington at the top with a score of 94, driven largely by its alarming rate of genital herpes: 131 cases per 100,000 people, the highest in England.
The data paints a varied picture of STI prevalence across England. The City of Westminster ranks fourth with a risk score of 88, but it stands out for recording the highest rates of syphilis (125 in 100,000), gonorrhoea (749 in 100,000), and genital warts (135 in 100,000). Meanwhile, Liverpool emerges as the nation’s chlamydia capital, with 2,719 cases in 100,000 residents (1 in 36 people) 73% above the national average of 1,564. Archway, another London area, secures second place with a risk score of 90, meaning three of the top five STI hotspots are in the capital.
England’s top 10 STI hotspots
- Islington: 94 (syphilis: 58, gonorrhoea: 724, chlamydia: 1780, genital warts: 117, genital herpes: 131)
- Archway: 90 (syphilis: 50, gonorrhoea: 397, chlamydia: 1739, genital warts: 79, genital herpes: 82)
- Blackpool: 89 (syphilis: 26, gonorrhoea: 210, chlamydia: 2383, genital warts: 62, genital herpes: 97)
- City of Westminster: 88 (syphilis: 125, gonorrhoea: 749, chlamydia: 1400, genitalwarts: 135, genital herpes: 122)
- Manchester: 84 (syphilis: 35, gonorrhoea: 276, chlamydia: 2594, genital warts: 59, genital herpes: 54)
- Nottingham: 83 (syphilis: 16, gonorrhoea: 290, chlamydia: 2287, genital warts: 60, genital herpes: 73)
- Liverpool: 81 (syphilis: 14, gonorrhoea: 302, chlamydia: 2719, genital warts: 50, genital herpes: 91)
- Croydon: 80 (syphilis: 28, gonorrhoea: 229, chlamydia: 2152, genital warts: 53, genital herpes: 65)
- Leeds: 68 (syphilis: 13, gonorrhoea: 188, chlamydia: 2344, genital warts: 54, genital herpes: 45)
- Newcastle Upon Tyne: 68 (syphilis: 21, gonorrhoea: 210, chlamydia: 1410, genital warts: 48, genital herpes: 68)
But what explains these high rates? Experts point to a combination of systemic and behavioural factors. Sexual health funding has plummeted by £200 million over the past decade, reducing the number of service providers from 139 in 2014 to 94 in 2023, a drop of a third. This has limited access to prevention and treatment, particularly in high-risk areas. Additionally, misconceptions about STI transmission exacerbate the problem. NHS research indicates that 70% of women and 50% of men with chlamydia experience no symptoms, allowing infections to spread undetected.
Another factor is “condom fatigue”. A survey by the UK’s National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (NATSAL) found that one in three people aged 18 to 35 admitted to skipping condoms with new partners, despite awareness of the risks. This trend, where individuals in casual or non-exclusive relationships gradually abandon protection, has contributed to rising STI rates.
Condoms remain the most effective defence against STIs, but only when used correctly. Condoms UK highlights common mistakes that undermine their efficacy, offering practical tips: choose the right size, store them away from heat and friction, check expiry dates, use water- or silicone-based lubricants, open packets carefully, switch condoms between different types of sex, and use them consistently with non-exclusive partners unless recent STI tests confirm safety.
The findings underscore a pressing public health challenge. With STI rates climbing in urban centres like Islington, Westminster, and Liverpool, experts urge renewed investment in sexual health services and greater public awareness. For now, the data serves as a stark reminder: protection matters, and where you live might just tip the odds.
