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

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Salford is a city within Greater Manchester in England.

It’s on the River Irwell.

Famous landmarks include Salford Cathedral, St. Philips Church, and Greengate Skyscraper.

If you are considering visiting Salford, you should know how safe the city is before setting out.

Warnings & Dangers in Salford

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

According to crime report data, Salford is the second most dangerous city in the UK, with London being the first. It's important to note that this is relative, and Salford is still safer than many cities in the U.S. However, the high rate of crime means that there's a high risk when visiting Salford. It's also concerning because the violent crime rate is the highest in the U.K. This doesn't mean that you should avoid visiting Salford. However, it does mean that you should be vigilant and cautious if you choose to go there.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Taxis and public transportation in the area are considered relatively safe. However, you will want to avoid waiting for a bus or taxi outside for long periods. Buses are often delayed, but trams are reliable. Taxis are readily available in the area and are likely the best option.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Pickpocketing occurred in Salford, with 288 incidents in the last year. This makes pickpocketing much less common than some more serious crimes, but it's something to be aware of. Keep your eyes open when you are out and about, and avoid displaying valuables.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Floods are the most common natural disaster to affect Salford. There are 50,000 properties at risk of flooding in the Greater Manchester area, and 30% of these properties are located in Salford. Snow is possible but uncommon. Wildfires and droughts may be a concern as the climate continues to warm.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

The risk of being mugged in Salford is medium. There were 350 robberies reported in Salford last year, which makes it one of the less common crimes in the area. It is a good idea to avoid the rougher parts of Salford to reduce the risk, however.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

The odds of you being involved in a terrorist attack are low. However, the terrorism threat level for the UK is substantial, which means an attack is likely. It's important to note that terrorism can be international, or national.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

Unfortunately, scams are a problem everywhere in today's society. Salford has both online and in-person scams you'll need to look out for. Online scammers may steal your personal information, or claim that you owe money and need to pay. In-person or local scams can involve house rentals. The scammer will have you pay a deposit, and then disappear. Criminal gangs in the area may pose as officials as a way to steal your personal information as well.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH

The risk to women travelers is high for a few reasons. First, the rate of violent crime is 14,133, which puts women at risk. The rate of harassment and stalking, which generally affects women is concerning. This type of crime occurred 5,116 times last year. If you are a woman, you'll need to be cautious when traveling to Salford.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The UK is known for having excellent drinking water. In fact, it consistently ranks as some of the best tap water in the world. National standards regulate water quality, so you can generally feel safe drinking water anywhere in the country. However, there was a problem in Salford a few years ago. The water was brown and had sediment in it. United Utilities claimed that the water was still safe to drink, even if it was unappealing. There have been no issues with dangerous contaminants in the water, so it's fine to drink. However, if you happen to find brown water coming from the tap, you may want to avoid drinking it until the problem is resolved.

Safest Places to Visit in Salford

Like any city, some areas of Salford are safer than others.

Worsley is a safer area.

It has historic buildings and charming canals.

Tourists can feel safe strolling through the area at night.

Other areas that you can visit include Little Hulton, Swinton, and Claremont.

Places to Avoid in Salford

Areas of Salford that are known for higher crime rates include Pendleton and Charlestown, Cadishead and Lower Irlam, and Ordsall.

Pendleton is relatively safe during the day but has a higher incidence of crime at night.

Broughton is relatively safe during the day but has a higher crime rate at night.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Salford

Don’t Look Like a Tourist. The first safety tip is to not look like a tourist. Tourists are often easy to identify. You look like you have no idea where you are going, and are likely staring at a map or your phone. You are taking lots of pictures, and your clothing doesn’t match the rest of the crowd. There’s nothing wrong with being a tourist. However, tourists are an easy target, particularly for pickpockets. Do your best to avoid standing out or calling unnecessary attention to yourself when out in Salford.
Travel with Others. Whenever possible, travel as part of a group. There’s safety in numbers, and individuals who are alone are more likely to be the victim of a crime. It’s best to have at least one person with you when you are out and about in Salford. If you are a woman or traveling at night, this is even more important. If you can’t travel with others, stay in areas where there are plenty of people.
Guard Your Belongings. You should avoid bringing valuables with you unless you truly need them. This can prevent them from being stolen and also reduces your stress levels. You should keep your valuables with you. Avoid leaving them in your hotel room.
Keep Personal Information Private. You will also want to guard your personal information. Some scammers will pretend to be an official to get your personal information. Ask to see their credentials before providing any info. You should also avoid leaving your wallet or purse accessible. Lastly, keep your cell phone locked. If someone gets your phone, and it’s unlocked, they will have access to sensitive information that can allow them to steal your money or identity.
Enroll in STEP. You should enroll in STEP before your trip. STEP stands for Smart Traveller Enrollment Program. It’s a service provided by the U.S. government. You’ll be connected with the local U.S. embassy. You’ll get travel alerts about the weather and security. It also makes it easier to reach you n case of an emergency. The service is completely free, so you have nothing to lose by signing up.
Avoid Pickpocketing. Pickpockets aren’t a major problem in Salford, but it’s still a good idea to be prepared. Place your wallet or cash in your front pocket. You can also purchase clothing that has hidden pockets for added safety. If you wear a purse, you should wear it cross-body.
Know How to Get Help. When in Salford, you should know how to get help if you need it. Police officers wear black uniforms, and often have a yellow vest that makes them more visible. You can also reach out to security guards or shop owners if necessary. In addition, you can dial 999 if you are in danger or there’s a crime in progress. This is the U.K. equivalent of 911. It’s also a great idea to have the number of the nearest U.S. Embassy on your phone in case you need to reach them.
Stay in Touch with Loved Ones. When you are traveling, it’s always a good idea to stay in touch with loved ones. Let them know when they can expect to hear from you, and where you will be. If they don’t hear from you, they will know something is wrong and contact the authorities. This is particularly important if you are traveling alone. If you are solo, you should check in with someone at least once a day.
Avoid Walking (Especially at Night). It’s best to avoid walking around in Salford, especially at night. Walking makes you easy to target for robberies or pickpocketing. This is particularly important if you are a female or are traveling alone.
Food and Drink Safety. You’ll find plenty of street food vendors in Salford. This is one of the fun aspects of visiting England and allows you to experience the culture and tastes of the area. However, be sure that any vendor has their license displayed. This lets you know their food is safe and sanitary. You should also avoid leaving your food and drink unattended, particularly in bars.

So... How Safe Is Salford Really?

Salford is dangerous by UK standards.

It’s ranked as the second most dangerous city in the UK, second only to London.

The rate of crime per 100,000 residents is 450, which is very high.

The crime rate also increased by 12% from 2022 to 2023.

The rate of violent crime is the highest in the nation, with a rate of 173 per 1,000 people.

This makes the area more dangerous than London, which is known for high crime, in terms of violent crimes.

When compared to St. Louis, the most dangerous city in America, Salford seems less risky.

The violent crime rate in this city is 208,000 per 100,000 residents.

This means that Salford is one of the most dangerous cities in the UK, but it’s not exceedingly dangerous by U.S. standards.

How Does Salford Compare?

City	Safety Index
Salford	43
London	68
Northern Ireland	56
Belfast	56
Edinburgh	70
Glasgow	55
Scotland	71
Manama (Bahrain)	54
Tianjin (China)	67
Brussels (Belgium)	60
Shanghai (China)	66
Belize City (Belize)	37
La Paz (Bolivia)	52

Useful Information

Visas

Visas aren't required to travel from the US to the UK, so U.S. citizens can head to Salford without a visa. You will need a passport. In the future, you will need an ETA, or electronic travel authorization, before getting on a plane for the United Kingdom. ETAs are applied online and usually go through in a few days. The ETA is connected to your passport and uses your personal information to screen you. The cost isn't determined, but it's expected to cost around $10.

Currency

The currency in England is the Great British Pound, or GBP. It's also known as The Pound Sterling. You can exchange your currency before you leave, but you may get an unfavorable exchange rate. It's best to wait until you arrive in the U.K. You can exchange currency at banks, post offices, and American Express locations. U.S. currency isn't typically accepted out of airports.

Weather

Summers in Salford are mild, with temperatures around 70 degrees, and temperatures rarely rising above 78 degrees. Winters are long and chilly, with temperatures usually around 37 degrees, and rarely drop below 28 degrees. Winters are the wetter months, with September through February getting rain 33% of the time.

Airports

The main airport near Salford is Manchester Airport. This is an international airport. It's the busiest airport outside of London, and the third busiest in the United Kingdom. Other nearby airports include TM3 and Manchester Barton Aerodrome.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is recommended before leaving for Salford. You can choose a few different types of insurance. The U.K. government recommends that you get travel health insurance. This will cover any unexpected medical expenses you may have. Your health insurance probably won't cover you outside the country, so this is important. You can also get insurance to cover delays, cancelations, lost luggage, and other mishaps. Comprehensive coverage will provide both types of coverage and give you the most protection when you are traveling.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Salford Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 5° C

Feb 5° C

Mar 7° C

Apr 9° C

May 12° C

Jun 15° C

Jul 17° C

Aug 17° C

Sep 14° C

Oct 11° C

Nov 8° C

Dec 6° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	7	7	10	12	15	18	20	20	17	13	9	8
Low °C	3	3	4	6	9	12	14	13	11	9	6	4
High °F	45	45	50	54	59	64	68	68	63	55	48	46
Low °F	37	37	39	43	48	54	57	55	52	48	43	39

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 Salford Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

United Kingdom : Safety by City