Is Cambridge safe?
Very safe with normal care. Bike theft and petty theft are the main issues; violent crime against visitors is rare.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- 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 Cambridge at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Bike theft is the biggest problem, followed by pickpocketing in crowded Market Square and King's Parade and drunken noise on weekends. |
| At night | The center is quiet after 11 pm but safe. Use lit routes and taxis from bars. |
| Solo women | Comfortable alone. Take lit streets and licensed taxis late; bike thieves target locks, not people. |
| Other risks | Cyclists in narrow streets; Cold river water: never swim in the Cam |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Unlicensed punting touts selling inflated tours
- Fake or resold tickets for college events and May Balls
- Unlicensed taxis touting at the station
Take care
- Quiet cycle paths and Midsummer Common after dark
- Petty Cury area late on weekends
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 Cambridge 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 Cambridge safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable alone. Take lit streets and licensed taxis late; bike thieves target locks, not people.
Is Cambridge safe at night?
The center is quiet after 11 pm but safe. Use lit routes and taxis from bars.
What is the crime rate in Cambridge?
Bike theft is the biggest problem, followed by pickpocketing in crowded Market Square and King's Parade and drunken noise on weekends. Nationally, United Kingdom records 1.1 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2021).
What number do I call in an emergency in Cambridge?
Police 999 · Ambulance 999 · Fire 999 · All emergencies 999.
More about Cambridge
Going to Cambridge solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Cambridge 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 Cambridge
- Stagecoach East
- Cambridge University Hospitals
- 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.