Bath is a gorgeous historical city in Somerset, England, located near Bristol. Being a World Heritage Site, there are many things to do in Bath: the famous Roman Baths and Bath Abbey are rich with history. Royal Victoria Park is a much-loved park in Bath, adorned with statues and flowers in its vast green area; the Royal Crescent is also a popular focal point in Bath. But is Bath safe?
The annual Bath crime rate is 72 crimes per annum per 1000 people. Compared to the national crime rate, Bath’s crime rate is low. Bath is the safest major city in Somerset and among the top 20 safest major places in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. With this in mind, Bath promises to be a safe city.
As someone who grew up near Bath, I always felt relatively safe walking around the city when visiting. Even at night, when it can become rowdier, I felt that the city was well-lit and safe to walk around because there were always people around. There have been some incidents near the river, but if you avoid this area at night, Bath is one of the safest cities in the UK.
The following guide will answer any concerns about visiting or moving to Bath so you can decide for your safety in the city. So let’s find out, is Bath safe?
Is Bath Safe to Visit?
If you are looking for a weekend or city break in Bath, you may wonder, is Bath safe for tourists? Bath is generally safe to visit. While Bath is a city full of tourists and university students, there isn’t much danger from the residents of Bath, who always seem like friendly people. While smaller-scale crimes such as theft and pickpockets may happen, larger safety concerns are unlikely. You can get unlucky with the odd thief; however, taking basic precautions minimises your chances of being stolen.
So, what is Bath’s crime rate? Bath’s crime rate is 72/1000. This rate is higher than the average Somerset County crime rate of 65 per 1,000 residents, but this is because Bath is one of the largest cities in the region. And, considering that the crime incidents in 2022 are equivalent to 0.3% of England’s 4,661,441 total crime incidents in the same year, it shows that Bath is very safe.
If you are travelling as a couple or with a group, it poses fewer problems than travelling alone. Bath is a busy city, so people are always around if you are solo travelling. So, is Bath safe? The statistics above show that Bath is safe, even in the city centre, and it is one of the safest cities in the UK for tourists to visit. If you are cautious and avoid any areas you are unsure of, you will have a fun, enchanting time in Bath.
Is Bath Safe at Night?
Bath has a range of restaurants and bars to visit, such as Slug & Lettuce, Be at One, and The Dark Horse, often favoured by students and people on weekend breaks for Hen Nights. The top of the high street and near Bath train station are the best places for a night out drinking. However, like most cities, there is always a higher risk of being out at night, where crimes are more likely, with the decreased presence of people and the dark element. It is best to stay in a group and not walk alone in the dark – always carry a personal safety alarm and choose well-lit streets when possible. Avoid the river because this is where people have fallen in at night.
The city centre is not any more dangerous than other parts of Bath. At night, however, it is always best to be cautious whatever city you are in, and the same goes with Bath.
Is Bath a Safe Place to Live?
If you are looking into moving to Bath, you must be aware of the crime rate among its inhabitants. In December 2022, Bath had the worst crime rate in Somerset for burglary, with 35 crimes reported and a crime rate of 0.34 per 1000 inhabitants. August of the same year also saw increased bicycle theft, with 27 crimes reported. Bath also had the worst drug crimes in Somerset. As such, there are a few concerns with certain areas of crime that relate to living in the city.
Living in Bath is relatively safe, but there are a few streets to avoid, where crime rates of burglary and theft have been higher, including Manvers Street, which registered more than one crime daily. These streets are Bath’s most dangerous: Wine Street, Bath Street Shopping area, The Paragon, Westgate Street, Green Street, and Stall Street. Overall, Central Bath and Landsdown is the most dangerous neighbourhood in Bath. Street drinking and begging continue to be a policing priority in these areas too.
On the contrary, Bath’s safest neighbourhoods are Bloomfield, Weston, Widcombe, Bathwick Hill, and Claverton Down.
If you are considering moving to Bath, the best advice is to do your research, look into the safest neighbourhoods in the city, and read up on local news to see which areas to avoid when living in Bath.
Is Bath Safe for Women?
Violence and sexual offences are the most common crimes in Bath, with 2839 offences during 22 – a crime rate of 27. This is a 13% increase from 2021’s statistics. This is a 13% increase from 2021’s statistics. Is Bath safe for women? The Bath crime rate does mean that women should take standard levels of care, although there’s no indication that the violence statistics are female specific. As the city is generally safe, Bath is an ideal place to visit for a city break with the girls when you take standard safety precautions. With simple steps like staying in well-lit areas, avoiding walking alone, and being aware of your surroundings, you’ll have a fun and safe time in Bath.
Keep hold of your belongings and drinks when out drinking because spiking can be a problem in many city pubs.
Is Bath Safe for Students?
Bath is the second safest city for students in England and Wales and has the lowest crime rate in the South West. The University of Bath is one of the safest campuses and cities in the UK.
Bath is no less safe for students than tourists and long-term residents; students are not in particular danger and should feel safe and comfortable as Bath’s one of the safest student cities.
However, it is always best to take care when out, especially as students may be more likely to be on nights out. Make sure friends and family know where you are going, avoid talking on your phone as you walk, avoid the river, plan your route home, and don’t leave your drinks unattended.
Conclusion: Staying Safe in Bath
Is Bath safe? In my opinion, Bath is a city you must visit at least once, whether on a weekend or for a longer city break. Its beautiful history and architecture, peaceful, picturesque parks and viewpoints, and the canal and river walks are worth a stay in Bath.
There are some dangers in Bath with burglaries and violent crime. Still, the overall crime rate is extremely low for a UK city. Plus, if you travel with others and follow precautions when out at night, you’ll be aware of anything suspicious. You will feel safer. You could even invest in safety gadgets such as personal alarms if you want that extra layer of security and peace of mind.
Whether you want to move to Bath or visit for a day out or a long weekend, Bath is a beautiful, exciting city you should visit and feel safe in.
By Cara-Louise Scott
Cara-Louise Scott is a UoB graduate now living as a hotel waitress in London. She has a passion for writing about all things travel, food, and mental health. She will be studying her part-time NCTJ course in autumn to become a qualified journalist.