The ancient islands of the United Kingdom have four puzzle pieces — England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
It has a rich history and storied culture dating back to 1000 BCE.
Visitors flock to iconic landmarks such as the Tower of Big Ben or to glimpse the Royals at Buckingham Palace.
In Wiltshire, visitors search for Stonehenge.
And not surprisingly, at last count, there are over 60,000 public houses – pubs to you and me – in the United Kingdom.
Unfortunately, a total population of 67.5 million residents and growing social strife have created an inviting environment for criminal activity.
The United Kingdom’s crime rate equaled 76 per 1,000 people, but England’s rate topped the list at 84 incidences.
Robbery is the Uk’s most common crime, with 64,891 or 110 per 100,000 people.
Stabbings and sexual assaults are also on the rise.
Seasoned travelers know to take a few precautions when touring the British Isles, whether you are in one of the safest or most dangerous areas in the UK.
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10 Most Dangerous Cities in the UK
1. Cleveland
Cleveland now has the dubious title of “crime capital of England.”
This dishonor was no surprise to its roughly 140,000 residents.
It is a small region, similar to a metropolitan county, around the River Tees on the northeast coast of England.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data listed 139.6 events per 1,000 people – double that of neighboring North Yorkshire.
Of these, 35.8 were violent crimes – most commonly knife stabbings.
And unfortunately, the region is also known for sexual assault, with over 2,625.
While no designated “no-go zones” exist in Cleveland, antisocial behavior is typical in Middlesborough Estates.
The city’s high crime rate deters visitors from venturing at night or alone during the day.
Unsurprisingly, local police recommend residents carry “knife packs,” emergency kits in case of assault.
2. Hartlepool
Hartlepool is a small seaside port community in Durham, England – 260 miles north of London.
Its population hovers around 92,500.
Unfortunately, for a small town, Hartlepool wrestles with an overall crime rate of 142 per 1,000 people.
Over 5,523 violent and sexual assaults fuel Hartlepool’s crime rate of 61 – a 16% increase.
However, the city’s backpacks and e-bikes are relatively safe, as theft is the least common crime.
If walking about, Old Town, Grange, and Foggy Furze – all to be avoided if you are alone and at night.
3. Leeds
Leeds is West Yorkshire’s largest metropolis, with 812,000 residents.
An ancient city known as the home of the steam locomotive and Middleton Colliery Railway, the longest-running railway in the world, has a slightly darker achievement.
Leeds ranked 108% higher than England’s national rate, with 133 infractions per 1,000 people.
The ONS reported 132,856 incidences, with an overall crime rate of 56.2.
The most common crime in Leeds is assault – requiring caution day and night.
Its residents reported almost 10,000 sexual assaults and 55,000 cases of stalking or harassment.
But not all is dark in Leeds.
The moderate-sized city is a business and industrial hub with one of the most popular parks in Europe, Roundhay Park — dating from William the Conqueror.
4. London
London, the gem of Great Britain, houses 9.5 million residents.
Established as a Roman settlement, Londinium, in 47 AD, the city is vital to Western culture.
While not at the top of the list, London’s crime rate, 95 per 1,000, is slightly worse than the national average.
And the cosmopolitan city also leads to robbery and theft.
When touring London’s many boroughs in search of the perfect pub, be aware of the surroundings.
Westminster is the most dangerous, followed by Kensington and Chelsea.
The safest borough in London is Richmond upon Thames.
5. Liverpool
Home to the Beatles, Liverpool, a part of Merseyside, listed 120.2 crimes per 1,000 last year.
Its residents reported over 75,055 assaults and 23 homicides.
Crime in Liverpool is fueled by drug trafficking, whose incident rate is the highest in England – at 8.5 per 1,000.
Pickpockets are somewhat of a problem, but just like other large areas, being aware of your surroundings is the best deterrent.
According to the ONS, much of Liverpool’s crime is limited to areas that can be avoided – as should the streets at night.
Throughout the city, the sights are endless.
The city’s center, with vibrant nightlife and creative architecture, is considered the safest place.
And walking in the daytime is relatively safe; so is public transportation, including licensed taxis.
6. Birmingham
Birmingham, England’s second-largest city, was once called the “City of 1000 Trades.”
Today it is an industrial hub and a growing business and medical community.
But there are safe, beautiful tree-lined areas that belie the urban center.
As it is known to locals, Brummie is an incredibly diverse city.
Its almost 857,000 residents are from numerous ethnic groups and countries.
And while much has improved over the past decade, it is still a hub for organized gang crime.
Foreign nationals fight for control of lucrative drug dealing and gun-running operations.
Birmingham’s overall crime rate reached 45 crimes per 1,000 people.
The most common crime in Birmingham was assault – 76,805 – supporting a general rate of 66; the fewest reports were bike theft.
7. Leicester
Leicester, part of the East Midlands in central England, has roughly 350,000 residents.
Famous for a Premier League title, the place is relatively peaceful.
Unfortunately, the top 10 ranking as a dangerous city and the overall crime rate of 52 and 128 crimes per 1,000 people belie the surface calm.
The most common crimes in Leicester are assault, both personal and sexual, with a surprising 21,815 incidents during the past year.
But your belongings are safe in the city, as robbery and theft are among the least reported events.
If you are sightseeing, be cautious in Leiester’s City Centre and New Parks areas.
8. Manchester
A modest-sized city in northwest England, most visit Manchester and Etihad Stadium and a Manchester United match.
But there are also exceptional museums and monuments to tour.
Manchester has a notably higher-than-average crime rate when compared to the nation.
Greater Manchester Police handle roughly 200,000 reports of crime annually, with antisocial behavior and vandalism at the top of the list.
The city is also ranked for burglary and gun crime – with 8.2 per 1,000.
Unfortunately, the birthplace of cotton averages weekly murders and assaults – 17% of all crimes.
And whether day or night, Moss Side and Rusholme are the areas to avoid.
9. Sheffield
In the northern part of England, Sheffield is famous for industrial steel mills and the table game snooker.
Its population has grown considerably in the past five years to 741,000 Britians.
And with that growth, there is an increase in crime.
Sheffield, unfortunately, has a staggering amount of antisocial crime for its size – with 103 crimes per 1,000 Britons, which is 24% higher than the national average.
Stolen bicycles and vandalism are at the top of the incident list. And last year, 354 robberies were reported.
If you are visiting Sheffield, make time for the Sheffield Botanical Gardens and the award-winning Millennium Gallery are the area’s finest attractions.
And Kelham Island Museum relates Sheffield’s industrial history.
10. Belfast City
Belfast City is Northern Ireland‘s capital.
It also has the dubious title of one of the UK’s most violent cities.
Belfast is home to over 640,000, with an overall crime rate 125% higher than Northern Ireland and 34% higher than England’s average.
Belfast saw 110 crimes per 1,000 people.
Criminal damage, arson, and burglary ranked as Belfast’s worst crimes, followed by 13,627 assaults and a crime rate of 49.
Public transportation is relatively safe during the day.
But the streets are overcrowded, allowing for pickpockets and petty theft.
The best advice for solo or group travelers in Belfast is to stay alert.
Despite the danger, Belfast is a beautiful city with a storied history and sprawling shipyards that were the birthplace of the RMS Titanic.
And with a bit of caution, a trip to this historic city could be a unique and fulfilling adventure.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to the UK
The UK is a safe place to visit.
But some preparation will ensure your trip doesn’t end in disaster.
Here are a few safety tips when traveling to the British Isles:
- Be cautious in crowded areas and keep track of all belongings. Train stations, cafes, and markets are known for teams of pickpockets and thieves looking for easy targets such as cameras and phones.
- Watch your drink. Drink spiking is a common crime in the UK. Watch your drink when you are out, and never accept drinks from strangers.
- Be careful when using ATMs. Find machines in bank or hotel buildings. Protect your information and avoid carrying large sums of cash. Just remember, someone is always watching.
- Public transportation. While public transit, the Underground, is relatively safe during the day. But it becomes more dangerous at night or if you are alone. Avoid suspicious vehicles. Also, taxis in the UK, especially in London, are licensed.
- Give way. This may be unusual, but personal space is extremely important to many UK cultures. Respecting personal space may avoid unexpected conflicts.
United Kingdom Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: United Kingdom Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the UK Safe for Solo Travel?
The United Kingdom — England, Scotland, and Wales — is incredibly safe for solo and female travelers.
Since the local language is English, getting around is easy, and the sights are endless.
But, there are areas to avoid at night.
And general precautions, especially at night, are always good practice.
What Language is Spoken in the UK?
The British speak English.
But you may think they speak a different language than ‘American.’
Numerous words and phrases are unique to Great Britain, so listen carefully.
Ask if you don’t quite understand.
What Currency Is Used in the UK?
The UK’s currency is the British pound sterling (£GBP) – its symbol is a funny L with a hash mark (£).
European Euros or American Dollars are not accepted.
One pound is divided into one hundred pence (100p) – similar to the US penny.
It is common to find £50, £20, £10, and 5-pound notes, although most vendors do not accept the higher £50.
British coins range from 1p to £2 (two pounds).
Scotland has its own recognized currency.
Would be interesting to know the American crime rate in comparison to the UK.
Known as Brummie to locals? No it’s known as Brum the people are referred to as Brummies not the city and the city as Brum
Birmingham is nicknamed Brum by the locals, not Brummie. The people themselves are called Brummies.
Birmingham is just a multi cultural over crowded slum,… Violent dangerous,… and should be demolished,… It’s a shame Hitler didn’t win WW2