Is Bradford Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2024 Safety Rating)

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Considered the most dangerous city in the West Yorkshire section of the United Kingdom, out of 118 villages, towns, and cities, Bradford had 159 crimes per 1,000 residents in 2022.

This gives Bradford a 26 percent higher crime rate than the rest of the region.

Bradford is the third most dangerous city in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

The most common crimes in the city include sexual offenses and violence, with 26,866 incidences in 2022.

Unfortunately, this small city outside of Leeds has continued this trend into 2023 with a 93% higher crime rate than England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

If you’re considering visiting Bradford, it’s essential to read the following to understand the potential risks!

Warnings & Dangers in Bradford

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Bradford has its charm and beauty but is unfortunately overshadowed by violent crime issues. Many of the attacks are either drug-related or drunk people roaming the city at night who have lost their inhibition. Although it has been designated the third most dangerous city across the three countries, it maintains a medium rating because all three areas are safe places to live and visit.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Mass transit and taxis are dependable and safe in Bradford and the area. However, you must continue to be vigilant for petty thieves and pickpockets on crowded trains and buses as they target those who appear to be tourists. Therefore, keep your backpack in sight and your wallet in your front pocket to avoid any issues.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

As mentioned, pickpocketing is a moderate issue on Bradford Streets, so keep large sums of money and valuables in the hotel room safe and only bring the amount you need for the day. Also, it's important to split your credit cards in case of an issue; you still have enough financial access, so your trip isn't ruined.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

The United Kingdom, including Bradford, is always low on the scale of natural disasters. It's too cold to get hurricanes, and tornadoes and earthquakes are unheard of. It rains a lot and is consistently gloomy, but not to the point of massive flooding, so you have nothing to worry about regarding this safety aspect.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

Like in any city, muggings occur occasionally, but almost always at night, so it's critical to be vigilant and take extra precautions after dark. Although you should always have your guard up, not all of Bradford is unsafe, and most muggings occur in areas with seedy reputations. Always apply common sense and trust your instinct to stay out of trouble.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

The United Kingdom has been a terrorist target in recent years, with the risk level remaining high. While London seems to be the main target due to its population density, other cities are not entirely clear as trains between locations have also been targeted.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

There is always a risk of being the victim of a scam in any tourist destination, but the overall risk in Bradford and the U.K. is low. Never pay upfront, negotiate in advance, and check your change twice. Also, be wary of individuals attempting to distract you by offering luggage assistance, which could be a trick to steal your belongings.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The water supplied to Bradford is continuously evaluated at the source and various points throughout the distribution system. The water quality from these tests consistently exceeds all local and national standards and guidelines for drinking, so it's perfectly fine to consume the local water.

Safest Places to Visit in Bradford

Although the city center late at night is not the safest place to visit, it’s a beautiful destination during the day to experience a busy metropolitan lifestyle.

Bingley and Saltire are great family options, and Shipley most appeals to those interested in cultural attractions.

Another excellent area to visit is the Salts Mill, which offers a range of shops, including an interesting bookstore.

The National Science and Media Museum is safe and contains multiple scientific gadgets and other engaging hardware to explain scientific facts.

This is a great attraction for all ages and is incredibly safe during the day.

The Bradford Industrial Museum is another do-not-miss attraction, and the Alhambra Theatre is a top choice for a family night out.

The Bradford Police Museum is well policed and patrolled, so there are no issues here, and the Bolling Hall has extensive historical artifacts.

These destinations draw plenty of tourists, so the police presence is heavy, but it’s always important to keep a vigilant eye for pickpocketers.

Places to Avoid in Bradford

Bradford City Center has the highest number of crimes, likely due to the high population density and number of tourist attractions.

The area near the Bradford Hotel has the highest number of offenses ranging from violence and sexual assault to distributing public order and shoplifting.

Also, the corner of Drake Street and Hall Ings has many shoplifting incidences.

Additionally, the area between Waller’s Brewery and Speakers’ Corner has a high number of violence and sexual offenses, drugs, and public order issues.

Each location is within walking distance and in the city center.

Outside the city center, the main incidences occur at Morrisons on Duncombe Road, with the primary infraction being shoplifting.

Other areas with shoplifting issues include the Aldi on Bradford Beck and Aldi, Home Bargains and Heron Foods on Collingwood Lane, and Morrisons on Norman Lane.

These are rarely violent, and often teenagers steal small items, so it’s not a major safety concern; it’s just property theft.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Bradford

When traveling to Bradford, it’s important to remember the following safety tips so your trip doesn’t have any issues, including the following:

Avoid Demonstrations and Protests. Most protests in the U.K. are peaceful, but a few bad apples can spoil the bunch. If you see a protest or other demonstration type, walk around it or in the other direction, but never cut through. When intense arguments occur, violence can erupt instantly, and you don’t want to be there when it is.
Don’t Carry Large Amounts of Cash. Split your money and credit cards, and only withdraw what is needed for that day and evening. By splitting your money, if an incident occurs, you will have backup funds to use to limit trip disruption from the incident. Also, leave the valuables at home or in the hotel safe, as they will draw attention to you.
Have Your Keys Ready Before Reaching the Accommodation. Always have your keys out of your pocket and prepare to enter your accommodation quickly. While break-ins in Bradford are low, you never know who’s waiting around the corner observing your entrance, so if you’re fiddling with finding the keys in your bag, it is only giving the criminal time to approach and attack.
Keep An Eye on your Belongings. Keep your belongings in sight, especially in public places. If you’re alone and using the restroom in a restaurant, don’t leave your backpack or purse unattended; it’s just asking for theft.
Never Wander Alone into Dark Areas. While this may seem like common sense, your inhibitions may be lowered after a few too many at the pub. When leaving an establishment, always catch a rideshare or taxi waiting out front to avoid any issues. If you must walk, avoid dark streets and alleyways, as you never know when criminals are waiting down a side street to take advantage.
Pack Accordingly. Always check the weather before going outside for the day and pack accordingly. The U.K. weather can be fickle, so it’s best to be prepared in advance.
Pay Attention to Local Alerts. Regularly check local and national government alerts throughout your trip to ensure you remain away from any growing issues.
Plan Your Travel. Although you don’t need to plan every step, it’s a clever idea to have a route or determine how you plan to get home when going out at night. It may be as simple as planning to order a taxi or rideshare as long as you remain safe.
Use Your Instinct. If an area or situation doesn’t feel right, your instinct is usually correct, so leave the area quickly and without notice. If you wander into an unsafe neighborhood, turn around and walk the other way or order a rideshare or taxi to avoid the situation.
Walk Confidently. Walking confidently in any new place shows that you know where you’re going and what you’re doing, and you are unlikely to be a tourist, thus making you a less attractive target to criminals.

So... How Safe Is Bradford Really?

Bradford is mostly safe if you take the right precautions and maintain your wits at night.

Compared to other countries, these towns are incredibly safe but are garnering a bad rap against other areas of the U.K., which are safe places to visit.

Bradford police regularly patrol the touristy areas, but the problems arise at night when fewer individuals are around and the police presence is thin.

There are plenty of safe mass transit, taxi, and ridesharing options, so you don’t need to wander around late at night after coming out of the pub.

To avoid conflicts or issues, never wander down poorly lit streets or alleyways, as this allows criminals to attack you without being around others.

The city center has the highest number of violent incidences, so avoid hanging around late at night, especially if you’re alone or a female traveler.

Most other crimes involve petty theft and shoplifting, which isn’t a direct safety issue to visitors unless the situation turns violent, which is rare.

Bradford is a wonderful place to visit with a deep history, but it can become seedy late at night when few people are around, so be careful.

How Does Bradford Compare?

City	Safety Index
Bradford	42
London	68
Northern Ireland	56
Belfast	56
Edinburgh	70
Scotland	71
Glasgow	55
Calgary (Canada)	82
Buenos Aires (Argentina)	60
Vancouver (Canada)	82
Cordoba (Argentina)	61
Toronto (Canada)	81
Melbourne (Australia)	80

Useful Information

Visas

Those visiting from E.U. countries, the U.S. and Canada, don't require a visa to enter the U.K. and other nearby countries, but some countries require a visa. Also, your passport must be valid for at least six months from entry into any U.K. country.

Currency

The British Pound is the only currency in Bradford. U.S. dollars, the Euro, and other major currencies are not accepted at shops, bars, and restaurants, but major credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. England is one of the most expensive countries in Europe because of the strong exchange rate against most other currencies, and accommodation pricing is skyrocketing as a reaction in the post-COVID world. While Bradford is less expensive than London or other major cities, you will need at least 100 pounds daily to be comfortable on your trip.

Weather

Bradford has a mild climate, considered sunny for northern England but rainy and gloomy for the rest of the world. Due to its inland location, the area is shielded from the wettest and worst weather by the Pennine Hills situated to the west. This gives visitors many more opportunities to explore the beautiful parks in the area, but it's important to pack an umbrella.

Airports

The closest airport is Leeds-Bradford International Airport, the busiest in the area, offering domestic and international flight options. This makes the city highly accessible via flight from most major European cities since the airport is well situated between Leeds and Bradford.

Travel Insurance

Although travel insurance is not required for traveling to Bradford, protecting you, your family, and your belongings is always highly recommended if an incident arises. Most travel insurance plans include health insurance if a medical problem arises while on your trip. The insurance also covers flight delays, lost or delayed baggage, loss of valuables, and theft. Shopping between companies is important to find the best option that meets your budget.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Bradford Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 4° C

Feb 4° C

Mar 6° C

Apr 8° C

May 11° C

Jun 14° C

Jul 16° C

Aug 16° C

Sep 14° C

Oct 10° C

Nov 7° C

Dec 5° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	6	7	9	12	15	18	20	20	17	13	9	7
Low °C	1	1	3	4	7	10	12	12	10	7	4	2
High °F	43	45	48	54	59	64	68	68	63	55	48	45
Low °F	34	34	37	39	45	50	54	54	50	45	39	36

United Kingdom - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Aberdeen	63
Bath	81
Belfast	56
Birmingham	44
Bradford	42
Brighton	67
Bristol	58
Cambridge	78
Canterbury	79
Cardiff	64
Coventry	41
Dundee	60
Edinburgh	70
Exeter	77
Glasgow	55
Inverness	73
Leeds	56
Leicester	43
Liverpool	56
London	68
Manchester	44
Newcastle upon Tyne	72
Northern Ireland	56
Nottingham	56
Oxford	66
Peterborough	70
Salford	43
Scotland	71
Sheffield	74
Southampton	65
Surrey	77
York	83

Is Bradford Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

United Kingdom : Safety by City