Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin the United Kingdom due to terrorism. There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in the United Kingdom.”
Updated Wed, 09 Sep 2026
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Is Belfast safe? 🇬🇧
United Kingdom · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Belfast scores 77/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Belfast is a generally safe city for visitors, but requires heightened awareness due to recent social unrest and specific risks. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Belfast 🇬🇧
United Kingdom · Assessed 20 October 2026
77
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime68/100FairCrime index 48.6 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment66/100FairMixed but leaning positive
Advisories75Good
Stability81Good
Health90Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for United Kingdom: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-10-05T14:33:12.1948964-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
62
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
65 / 100 (Mixed but leaning positive)
65
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
348k residents
79
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
1.1 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6United Kingdom1.1World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
93
Robbery / mugging
ModerateStreet robbery is trending upward, with some knifepoint incidents reported, though tourists are rarely the specific target; risk concentrates late at night in outer districts.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and opportunistic thefts can occur, particularly in crowded areas, nightlife strips, and during parades or events.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed but leaning positive
66/100
Reported feel65Mixed but leaning positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Most recent traveler reports describe Belfast as friendly and walkable by day, but recent unrest has impacted perceptions, with some noting a need for increased situational awareness.
Belfast is a generally safe city for visitors, but requires heightened awareness due to recent social unrest and specific risks.
While official data indicates low violent crime and good governance, recent events highlight tensions. Travelers should be aware of potential scams and exercise caution, particularly at night or in certain areas.
Recent developments
- Sep 2026Protests and standoffs occurred over a blocked Orange Order march, extending for two days.— Reuters
- Jun 2026Fiery riots broke out following a street stabbing, with police using water cannons and reports of racist unrest.— PBS / Al Jazeera
- Jun 2026Reports emerged of anti-immigrant riots, with some sources linking Elon Musk to stoking the unrest.— NBC News
- Jul 2026Racially motivated assault on two tourists was mentioned in traveler reports.— ismytripsafe.com
Common scams
- Taxi and transport scams, including unlicensed services and overcharging.
- Fake charity collections or inflated prices in tourist zones.
- Accommodation, restaurant, and currency exchange fraud, particularly for budget travelers.
- Holiday booking scams.
Full briefing
Belfast is generally safe for visitors, with official data showing low violent crime rates and strong governance indicators. However, recent events, including anti-immigrant riots and protests related to parades, indicate underlying social tensions that warrant increased situational awareness.
Travelers should be particularly mindful of potential scams, such as unlicensed taxi services, inflated prices in tourist areas, and holiday booking fraud. While pickpocketing is not as prevalent as in some larger European capitals, it remains a risk in crowded locations and during events. Robbery risk is moderate, with incidents tending to occur late at night in outer residential areas, though tourists are not typically targeted specifically.
The city center and popular tourist spots like the Cathedral Quarter are generally well-patrolled and secure during the day. However, areas around Shaftesbury Square, Botanic Station, and Strandtown, as well as 'interface areas' between communities, are advised to be avoided after dark, according to older traveler advice. It is also advisable to avoid discussing sensitive political or sectarian topics with strangers.
To stay safe, use only licensed transportation, keep valuables secure, and remain aware of your surroundings, especially in busy nightlife districts or during public gatherings. The UK government advises exercising increased caution due to terrorism, and Canada advises a high degree of caution for the United Kingdom overall.
Was this Belfast, United Kingdom report helpful?
06 · After Dark
Is Belfast safe at night?
Street robbery is trending upward, with some knifepoint incidents reported, though tourists are rarely the specific target; risk concentrates late at night in outer districts.
No specific districts were flagged as no-go areas after dark, but the usual night-time rules apply: stay in lit, populated areas and keep your phone out of sight.
07 · Questions
Belfast safety FAQ (2026)
Is Belfast safe right now (2026)?
Belfast is a generally safe city for visitors, but requires heightened awareness due to recent social unrest and specific risks. While official data indicates low violent crime and good governance, recent events highlight tensions. Travelers should be aware of potential scams and exercise caution, particularly at night or in certain areas. (Assessed 20 October 2026.)
Is Belfast safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Belfast report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Belfast should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Belfast (2026)?
- Taxi and transport scams, including unlicensed services and overcharging.
- Fake charity collections or inflated prices in tourist zones.
- Accommodation, restaurant, and currency exchange fraud, particularly for budget travelers.
- Holiday booking scams.
How does Belfast compare with other places in United Kingdom (2026)?
Belfast ranks #9 of 9 United Kingdom destinations we've assessed, scoring 77/100. See the United Kingdom safety overview for the full list.
How is this belfast safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: belfast.json (CC BY 4.0).