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 Bristol safe? 🇬🇧
United Kingdom · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Bristol scores 77/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Bristol is generally safe for visitors with moderate risks in crowded areas and at night. 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
Bristol 🇬🇧
United Kingdom · Assessed 19 October 2026
77
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime68/100FairCrime index 43.2 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment65/100FairMixed feelings
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
60 / 100 (Mixed feelings)
60
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
479k residents
76
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
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in isolated nightlife zones after midnight
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are most frequent in Broadmead, the Harbourside, and on busy train stations
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed feelings
65/100
Reported feel60Mixed feelings
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors generally feel comfortable during daylight but note occasional unease after dark in central zones.
Yes. Bristol is generally safe for visitors with moderate risks in crowded areas and at night.
Bristol's composite safety index is 80/100, reflecting low homicide and terrorism risks but moderate concerns for petty crime. Visitors report feeling safe in daylight but note unease after dark in central zones. The main risks are pickpocketing and robbery in busy areas like Broadmead and Harbourside.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026Arrests after anti-immigration and counter protests in Bristol— BBC
- Aug 2026Bristol anti-immigration and counter protesters released— BBC
- Jun 2026Bristol halts AI child-crime risk models over poor accuracy— ForkLog
Common scams
- fake petition or street performance distractions used by pickpockets
- unlicensed taxi overcharging or surcharging near nightlife zones
Full briefing
Bristol’s main shopping area Broadmead and the Harbourside see frequent pickpocketing, especially during daytime crowds and weekend events. While violent crime against tourists is rare, muggings can occur in isolated nightlife zones after midnight, so using licensed taxis or pre-booked rides is advised when returning late. Recent traveler reports confirm visitors feel safe walking in daylight but express unease after dark in central areas, aligning with Numbeo’s daylight safety score of 77/100 versus 46/100 at night. In August 2026, BBC reported arrests following anti-immigration and counter-protests in the city, indicating occasional public order tensions that visitors should avoid. By day, Bristol’s Georgian neighborhoods, Clifton suspension bridge, and street art zones remain low-risk areas for exploration. Staying alert on buses and trains, securing valuables, and sticking to well-lit routes after dark are practical steps for a safe visit. The city’s air quality is good (AQI 29), and no natural hazards are active, reducing environmental concerns. Overall, Bristol ranks safer than 89% of countries globally, with terrorism and homicide rates well below world averages, making it a secure destination when basic urban precautions are observed.
Was this Bristol, United Kingdom report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Bristol districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Bristol safety map.
EastonavoidHigher crime rates including theft and vandalism; avoid at night based on recent crime spikes (2024-2025).
HarboursidecautionTourist hotspot with museums and restaurants; pickpocketing reported in crowds, especially after dark.
BroadmeadcautionMain shopping centre; moderate pickpocketing and bag-snatching risk, particularly near transport hubs.
Stokes CroftcautionVibrant arts and nightlife area; occasional drunken disorder and street nuisance late at night.
BedminstercautionMixed residential and industrial; some areas report increased property crime, exercise caution after dark.
CliftonsaferAffluent area with Georgian architecture, low crime, popular with tourists and students.
BishopstonsaferResidential suburb with good amenities, low violent crime, popular with families and students.
SouthvillesaferTrendy area with independent shops and cafes; generally safe, but remain alert in quieter side streets at night.
07 · After Dark
Is Bristol safe at night?
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in isolated nightlife zones after midnight
After dark, be most careful around Easton, Harbourside, Broadmead, Stokes Croft. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Bristol safety FAQ (2026)
Is Bristol safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Bristol is generally safe for visitors with moderate risks in crowded areas and at night. Bristol's composite safety index is 80/100, reflecting low homicide and terrorism risks but moderate concerns for petty crime. Visitors report feeling safe in daylight but note unease after dark in central zones. The main risks are pickpocketing and robbery in busy areas like Broadmead and Harbourside. (Assessed 19 October 2026.)
Is Bristol safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Bristol 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 Bristol should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Easton as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Bristol (2026)?
- fake petition or street performance distractions used by pickpockets
- unlicensed taxi overcharging or surcharging near nightlife zones
How does Bristol compare with other places in United Kingdom (2026)?
Bristol 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 bristol 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: bristol.json (CC BY 4.0).