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

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Coventry is a city in the West Midlands area of England.

It’s on the River Sherbourne.

It’s well known for its cathedral, which was bombed in World War 2.

The city is about 20 miles from Birmingham, and less than 100 miles away from London.

Warnings & Dangers in Coventry

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Coventry has a very negative reputation, but it's not entirely deserved. Coventry is rated the second most dangerous city in Europe. However, this is based on user rankings only. So, Coventry is viewed as having a very high crime rate. The truth is that Coventry does have a high crime rate, but it's not as bad as some opinions would suggest. Coventry is the safest city in the West Midlands but ranks 21st out of all towns, cities, and villages in the area. This means that Coventry does have a high crime rate, but there are more dangerous cities in West Midlands.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

It's fairly easy to get a taxi or Uber in Coventry. If you plan to get transportation at night, it's best to call ahead. The car can be waiting for you, so you aren't left waiting for a vehicle and exposed for a long period of time.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Pickpocketing is an issue in the UK, and Coventry is no exception. Mr. Dodd, a Coventry resident, warns shoppers to be on guard after having his wallet stolen. The thieves then withdrew money from his bank account. Police warn that crowds make it easy for pickpockets to steal and then disappear into the crowd. When out in Coventry, be sure to keep your valuables close.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

There is some risk of natural disasters in Coventry. Floods are the most common disaster risk. There are 3,953 properties at medium risk of flooding in Coventry and 2,038 at a high risk of flooding. The River Sherbourne is located in Coventry City Centre and has more than a 1% risk of flooding each year. This is also true for many other rivers in the area.

MUGGING RISK: HIGH

Coventry has a high rate of theft and violent crimes, so your mugging risk will be relatively high in the city. When compared to the average of Warwickshire County, Coventry has 60% more other theft, 28% more robberies, and 73% more shopping. They also have a high rate of violent crime, with the only crime occurring more frequently than violent crime being vehicle crime. Given these statistics, it's clear that mugging is a risk in the city.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

Your risk of being involved in a terrorist attack is low, but the risk is there. The threat level for the UK is substantial, which means that an attack is likely. Of course, this applies to the entire country, and not just Coventry. The government states that if you are a victim of a terrorist attack or civil unrest of any type, you should run, hide, and tell.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

There's a high risk of scams in Coventry. Authorities say that some scams are doorstep scams. The criminal will show up and offer to do your shopping or clean your home. Marketing surveys and posing as banks are used to get personal information. Other scams include fake job ads and scam emails.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH

Women travelers should use caution when traveling to Coventry, particularly if they are traveling alone. According to the Coventry Telegraph, many women have stories about feeling unsafe or being harassed by men. Unfortunately, the police often refuse to investigate, particularly if the encounter was considered minor. Being harassed may seem minor to the police, but it certainly doesn't feel minor to the victim. The murder of Sarah Everand has triggered a movement across the U.K. to keep women safe in the region. She was kidnapped and killed by an off-duty police constable.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The tap water in Coventry is safe to drink. The UK has nationwide standards when it comes to drinking water. The tap water in Coventry was declared the best in the country based on a blind taste test.

Safest Places to Visit in Coventry

Like any city, some areas of Coventry will have more crime than others.

Generally, higher-income areas will have less crime than poorer neighborhoods.

The safest neighborhoods in Coventry are Allesley Green and Lower Eastern Green.

Allesley Green is a few miles northwest of the city center.

It’s a peaceful residential area.

Allesley Park and Eastern Green are also safe areas.

Coventry has several museums, including the Coventry Transport Museum.

Allesley Park is a beautiful park for nature lovers and is very safe.

Coventry Cathedral and St. Mary’s Guildhall are also historic locations you should see.

Places to Avoid in Coventry

The most dangerous area in Coventry is Central Coventry.

The crime rate for the area is 233, which means there are 233 crimes for every 1,000 people.

Unfortunately, many of Coventry’s popular attractions, including the Cathedral, are located in the City Centre.

If you visit Coventry, you won’t want to avoid the City Centre completely, because you’ll miss out on the top things to see and do.

You will need to be cautious in this area.

The next most dangerous area is Willenhall, with a crime rate of 181.

Next on the list is Clifford Park, which has a crime rate of 162.

Other neighborhoods you should avoid include Foleshill East and Foleshill West, Hillfields, and Bell Green.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Coventry

Be Aware of Your Surroundings. The first safety tip for traveling to Coventry is to be aware of your surroundings. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of visiting a new place, but you have to remain vigilant when you are in Coventry. It’s important to enjoy yourself, but you should always know what is going on around you. Be on the lookout for any suspicious person or behavior.
Prepare for the Weather. Coventry isn’t known for extreme weather, but you should still be prepared. Winters in Coventry are cool, with average temperatures in the low 30s. In the summer, you can expect temps in the low 70s, with the temperatures reaching the 80s occasionally. Rain is common, particularly in the fall and winter. In November, the wettest month, there’s a 57% chance of rain each day.
Don’t Travel Alone. It’s best not to travel alone in Coventry, particularly if you are female. It’s best to have at least one person with you at all times when you are out and about. If you must travel alone, be sure to stay in well-populated areas. Avoid any area where there are no other people around. Being alone makes you an easy target. If you are alone, don’t walk around the city at night if you can avoid it.
Enroll in STEP. STEP, or the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, is a free service provided by the U.S. government. You’ll register your trip, and you’ll be connected with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. You’ll get alerts about any security threats and natural disasters. The program also allows the government to reach you in case of an emergency. Enrolling is easy online, and can be very helpful.
Keep Personal Information Private. Don’t give your personal information to anyone without knowing who they are. Some scammers will pretend to be police or other authorities to get your information. You should also use caution at ATMs, and avoid leaving your wallet where someone can access it.
Guard Your Belongings. Keep your belongings close to you, and don’t take your eyes off them when you are out. Don’t leave valuables in your vehicle or hotel room where they will be visible.
Stay in Touch with Loved Ones. To keep yourself safe, you should stay in touch with loved ones. This is essential if you are traveling alone, but it’s a good idea even if you are traveling with a group. Let your loved ones know when they can expect to hear from you. If they don’t hear from you and can’t get in touch with you, they will know that something is wrong and contact the proper authorities.
Research Transportation. Coventry has plenty of transportation options, but you should still have a plan for transportation before you get there. You may want to rent a car, take a taxi, or Uber. You should know your options ahead of time so you won’t have to wait.
Have an Emergency Plan. Anytime you are traveling, you should have an emergency plan. What will you do if there’s an incident while you are in Coventry like a power outage or flood? What if there’s an emergency at home, how will you get back quickly? Plan for as many potential issues as you can before you go.
Don’t Look Like a Tourist. I can’t stress this one enough. Tourists are targets. They are unfamiliar with the area, which makes them vulnerable. They often have valuables or more cash than the average person, because they are traveling. Don’t draw attention to yourself. Leave your nice jewelry or flashy clothes at home. You should also avoid walking around with an amazed expression as if you’ve never seen the city before, even if it’s your first time there.

So... How Safe Is Coventry Really?

You may still be wondering if Coventry is as dangerous as its reputation suggests.

It ranks 21st out of all towns, cities, and villages in West Midlands.

However, it is the safest city in the West Midlands area.

Compared to the UK as a whole, Coventry is one of the 20 most dangerous cities based on crime statistics.

The most common crimes in Coventry are violence and sexual crimes, with 18,165 crimes occurring in 2022.

Robberies are also very high, with 3 robberies occurring for every 1,000 residents each year.

Coventry gets a bad rap from its residents.

This suggests that Coventry is not a very safe place to visit.

However, there are certainly more dangerous cities in the UK and even the West Midlands area.

How Does Coventry Compare?

City	Safety Index
Coventry	41
London	68
Northern Ireland	56
Belfast	56
Edinburgh	70
Scotland	71
Glasgow	55
Phnom Penh (Cambodia)	61
Niagara Falls (Canada)	87
Calgary (Canada)	82
Buenos Aires (Argentina)	60
Vancouver (Canada)	82
Cordoba (Argentina)	61

Useful Information

Visas

If you are a U.S. citizen, you don't need a visa to travel to the UK if you will be staying less than 6 months. However, by the end of 2024, they will require an ETA or Electronic Travel Authorization. This will be linked to your passport and requires some personal information. Currently, you'll simply need a passport or a photo ID if you are a U.S. citizen. If you do need a visa, you can begin the application process online.

Currency

The currency in Coventry is The pound sterling, or Great British Pound, also called GBP. They are typically referred to as pounds. One pound is equal to 1.25 American dollars. They use a system similar to ours, with one pound equaling 100 pence. Once you arrive in the UK, you can exchange American currency for Pounds. American currency isn't typically accepted outside of airports.

Weather

The weather in Coventry is typically cloudy. It rains frequently, particularly in November, January, and February, which have rain more than half the time. Summers are mild, with temperatures in the 70s and rarely in the 80s. Winters are cool, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing.

Airports

The airport in Coventry is Coventry Airport Limited. The nearest international airport is Birmingham International Airport. You can also arrive at Heathrow or Gatwick, which are based in London.

Travel Insurance

Before traveling to Coventry, you should get travel insurance. You can find coverage for health emergencies and medical care. Policies may also include delays or cancelations, lost luggage, and emergencies.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Coventry Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 5° C

Feb 6° C

Mar 7° C

Apr 10° C

May 13° C

Jun 16° C

Jul 18° C

Aug 17° C

Sep 15° C

Oct 11° C

Nov 8° C

Dec 5° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	7	8	10	13	17	19	22	21	18	14	10	7
Low °C	3	3	4	6	9	12	14	13	11	8	5	3
High °F	45	46	50	55	63	66	72	70	64	57	50	45
Low °F	37	37	39	43	48	54	57	55	52	46	41	37

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 Coventry Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

United Kingdom : Safety by City