Where you live could have a big impact on your risk of catching an STI—with some areas of the UK being hit far worse by infections than others, new figures reveal.
Fresh analysis of 2024 data reveals stark regional differences, with parts of London among the worst affected.
The South London borough of Lambeth tops the national table, with the highest rate of sexually transmitted infections in England.
In 2024, Lambeth recorded more than 3,250 new diagnoses per 100,000 people—equal to just over three per cent of the local population.
Meanwhile, Forest of Dean is the place where you’re least likely to pick up an STI, with rates as low as 201 per 100,000.
Now, MailOnline has created an interactive map showing how areas compare for infections including syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia.
It comes as health officials warn that syphilis cases have surged to the highest level since the late 1940s.
Once again, Lambeth was the epicentre, with 138 syphilis cases per 100,000 people.
It was followed by Westminster (131) and Southwark (107), continuing the trend of central and south London boroughs being disproportionately affected.
Lambeth also recorded the highest rate of gonorrhoea at 1,114 cases per 100,000 people—about one in every 100 residents—followed by the City of London (958) and Southwark (867). The national average was just 124.
Although overall gonorrhoea cases dropped by 16 per cent last year, experts are raising concerns over a rise in drug-resistant strains—dubbed super-gonorrhoea.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed 14 cases of the hard-to-treat big had already been detected by May 2025—more than the 13 reported in all of 2024.
The city of Lincoln in Lincolnshire that took top spot for chlamydia with 1,390 cases per 100,000, again equivalent to one in every 100 people have the STI.
This was followed by Lambeth which recorded 1,182 cases per 100,000 and Hackney with 1,015.
The national chlamydia rate in 2024 was 293 cases per 100,000 people, making it the most prevalent STI in the country.
Hammersmith and Fulham in west London recorded the highest rate of genital herpes last year with 192 cases per 100,000 people.
While most STIs can be treated, experts are quick to highlight prevention is better than cure and have urged Britons to follow safe sex guidance
This was followed by—yet again—Lambeth with 157 cases per 100,000 and Southwark with 146. The national rate was 48 cases of genital herpes per 100,000 people.
But Lambeth didn’t make the top three for genital warts. Instead it was Hackney which took the crown with 142 cases per 100,000 people.
This was followed by the City of London with 134 cases per 100,000 people followed narrowly by Hammersmith and Fulham with 132 cases.
Following Lambeth for total STI cases per 100,000 people was Southwark with 2,787 and Hackney with 2,680. For comparison, the national rate was 632 STIs per 100,000.
Most STIs are curable if detected early, but many have no symptoms—meaning people can unknowingly spread them to others.
Left untreated, they can cause serious complications, including infertility, chronic pain, and even organ damage in the case of syphilis.
Speaking earlier this week Dr Hamish Mohammed, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA said: ‘These infections can have a major impact on your health and that of any sexual partners – particularly if they are antibiotic resistant,’ he said.
‘If you’ve had condomless sex with new or casual partners—either in the UK or overseas—get tested for STIs and HIV at least yearly, even if you don’t have symptoms.
‘Regular testing protects both you and those you’re having sex with.’
Experts continue to stress: prevention is better than cure, and safe sex matters wherever you live.
