Dunedin has made the top ten lists for the highest ratio of public assaults and robberies in main urban areas.

There were 261 cases of assault, sexual assault and robbery in public parts of the CBD last year.

The area between Stuart and Frederick streets was the fourth worst in the country out of main urban areas with populations of 3000 or more.

That's based on the number of victims per 10,000 people.

The area between Stuart and High streets was the tenth worst among main urban areas with populations of less than 3000.

On average there was one assault or robbery victim for every 22 people in the CBD last year.