City in West Midlands, United Kingdom
Is Birmingham safe?
Fine in the center and most visitor areas, but street crime, phone theft and knife incidents are higher than in smaller cities.
Is Birmingham safe?
Fine in the center and most visitor areas, but street crime, phone theft and knife incidents are higher than in smaller cities. Use normal city care after dark.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-07.
- Homicide rate in United Kingdom: 1.1 per 100,000 people (2021, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in United Kingdom: 3.2 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 999 · Ambulance 999 · Fire 999 · All emergencies 999.
Safety in Birmingham at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Phone snatching, car and bike theft, and some street violence in outer areas; drunken fights in the center at weekends. |
| At night | Main streets in the center are busy on weekends. Walk on lit roads and use Uber or Bolt after the late trams and buses stop. |
| Solo women | Generally fine in the center with usual care. Avoid canal towpaths after dark and use apps or licensed cabs at night. |
| Other risks | Heavy traffic and bus lanes in the center; Slippery canal towpaths |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Taxi touts outside New Street and nightclubs; use an app
- Fake charity collectors and tickets near Bullring
- Card-skimming at isolated cash machines
Take care
- Digbeth and Hurst Street after midnight: fights and theft
- Walking alone through unlit canal towpaths at night
- Phone use at tram stops and on street corners
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Riding a private e-scooter on public roads or pavements is illegal; only official rental schemes are allowed.
- Carrying a knife in public without good reason is illegal, including locking or long folding blades.
- Cannabis is illegal, and drinking alcohol is banned on London public transport.
How Birmingham compares in United Kingdom
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Edinburgh | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Oxford | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Bath | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Cambridge | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Scottish Highlands | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Isle of Skye | 5/5 · Very safe |
| York | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Lake District | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Cornwall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Cotswolds | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Snowdonia | 5/5 · Very safe |
| London | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manchester | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Liverpool | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Glasgow | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Brighton | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bristol | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Belfast | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cardiff | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Newcastle | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Leeds | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Birmingham | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Birmingham safe for solo female travelers?
Generally fine in the center with usual care. Avoid canal towpaths after dark and use apps or licensed cabs at night.
Is Birmingham safe at night?
Main streets in the center are busy on weekends. Walk on lit roads and use Uber or Bolt after the late trams and buses stop.
What is the crime rate in Birmingham?
Phone snatching, car and bike theft, and some street violence in outer areas; drunken fights in the center at weekends. Nationally, United Kingdom records 1.1 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2021).
What number do I call in an emergency in Birmingham?
Police 999 · Ambulance 999 · Fire 999 · All emergencies 999.
More about Birmingham
Going to Birmingham solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Birmingham meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Visit Birmingham
- Transport for West Midlands
- Birmingham Airport
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.