Dewsbury Moor 'most deprived area in Kirklees' according to census

By Oliver Thompson According to the latest government statistics, Dewsbury Moor is the most ‘deprived’ area in Kirklees. The statistics take into consideration access to health, education, quality of housing facilities, the cleanliness of the local environment and levels of crime. Dewsbury Moor came out on top and is ranked 661st worst in England – out of 32,844 listed communities. The moor has been popular for sprouting several notable rugby league professionals including Ryan Sheridan, Matt Diskin and Sam Burgess all of whom played for their local rugby league team, Dewsbury Moor Amateur Rugby League Football Club. Most recently, the area became the centre of national media and public attention when 9-year-old Shannon Matthews disappeared from near her home in 2008.

Nationwide

Kirklees shows a slight increase (3%) in the number of communities classed as deprived and possesses 12% of communities being the most deprived in England. Local neighbouring Borough, Calderdale, fairs worse attributing to 16% with their ‘worst’ area being Thrum Hill – ranked 212th in England. Northern cities such as Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Kingston upon Hull and Manchester possess the highest proportions of communities among the most deprived in England. Officially in the UK, the most deprived area is the Jaywalk area of Clacton on Sea in Essex.