englands roughest city

I imagine it is Nottingham. Crime is in most cities these days. I think you are only choosing Northern cities because you know them well. I know southern cities more because I live in the South West and I used to live in the South East. I know Manchester is a business and shopping city. Hull is on a river and would be the next roughest city after Nottingham I guess.

I live in Manchester which is nowhere near as bad as it was even a decade ago. Many areas of the city are lovely and generally safe.