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
Full advisory →Personalize report nowTailor this report to you.Next: age, gender, group size preference…Next: the latest news and insightsNext: one click, 5 seconds, no costStart now8 districts
Is Bury St Edmunds safe? 🇬🇧
United Kingdom · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Bury St Edmunds scores 87/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Bury St Edmunds is a very safe market town for visitors with low crime and minimal risks. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Bury St Edmunds 🇬🇧
United Kingdom · Assessed 19 October 2026
87
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime82/100GoodCrime index 49.2 / 100
Sentiment87/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories75Good
Stability81Good
Health92Good
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
Good
Urban scale factor
41k residents
92
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
LowMugging or armed robbery is very rare and typically not reported in visitor areas
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing occurs occasionally in busy spots like the market or Abbey Gardens but remains uncommon
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
87/100
Reported feel85Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Visitors consistently report feeling safe walking around Bury St Edmunds during day and night, with low concern for personal security in recent traveller feedback.
Yes. Bury St Edmunds is a very safe market town for visitors with low crime and minimal risks.
Official data shows very low homicide and terrorism risks, excellent air quality, and strong institutional safety. Crime levels are low compared to national averages, though some neighbourhoods report higher incidents of violence and theft. Visitor sentiment remains consistently positive regarding day-to-day safety.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026Revamp of alleyway reduces crime reports to zero— BBC
- Aug 2026West Suffolk Hospital named as one of Bury St Edmunds' crime hotspots— East Anglian Daily Times
- Jun 2026West Suffolk Hospital and Merchant's Place were among Bury St Edmunds' crime hotspots— East Anglian Daily Times
- Sep 2026New danger 'hotspots' of Suffolk town revealed— East Anglian Daily Times
Common scams
- Fake police or official impersonation scams
- Bottleneck and moped mugger pickpocketing ploys in crowded areas
Full briefing
Bury St Edmunds maintains a strong safety record for visitors, with official data confirming very low homicide and terrorism risks alongside excellent air quality and institutional safety. The town's composite safety index scores highly, reflecting its status as one of the safer destinations in the UK. While crime exists, it remains concentrated in specific areas and is generally low compared to national averages, particularly for offences targeting visitors.
Recent local reporting highlights West Suffolk Hospital and Merchant's Place as recurring crime hotspots, with incidents including violence and theft noted in mid-2026. However, targeted improvements such as the August 2026 alleyway revamp have successfully reduced crime reports to zero in that area, demonstrating effective local intervent
Was this Bury St Edmunds, United Kingdom report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Bury St Edmunds districts for visitors: 5 safer, 3 needing caution. See them plotted on the Bury St Edmunds safety map.
West Suffolk Hospital areacautionIdentified as a crime hotspot for violence and sexual offences in 2026; exercise caution, especially at night.
Merchant's PlacecautionFlagged as a crime hotspot in June 2026; remain alert to petty theft and anti-social behaviour.
Westgate and St. Margaret's areacautionHigher crime concentration per Suffolk police data; avoid isolated streets after dark.
Town Centre (Abbey Gardens, Market Square)saferWell-lit, busy area with low crime; pickpocketing occasionally reported in crowds.
North Bury (including Moreton Hall)saferResidential area with lower crime density; generally safe for visitors during daylight hours.
South Bury (including Tayfen)saferQuieter residential zone with infrequent crime reports; standard precautions advised.
Rural North and South outskirtssaferLow population density and minimal crime; safe for visitors, though limited amenities after dark.
Alexandra Park vicinitysaferPublic park with regular patrols; safe for daytime visits, but avoid isolated areas at night.
07 · After Dark
Is Bury St Edmunds safe at night?
Mugging or armed robbery is very rare and typically not reported in visitor areas
After dark, be most careful around West Suffolk Hospital area, Merchant's Place, Westgate and St. Margaret's area. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Bury St Edmunds safety FAQ (2026)
Is Bury St Edmunds safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Bury St Edmunds is a very safe market town for visitors with low crime and minimal risks. Official data shows very low homicide and terrorism risks, excellent air quality, and strong institutional safety. Crime levels are low compared to national averages, though some neighbourhoods report higher incidents of violence and theft. Visitor sentiment remains consistently positive regarding day-to-day safety. (Assessed 19 October 2026.)
Is Bury St Edmunds safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Bury St Edmunds 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 Bury St Edmunds should tourists avoid?
West Suffolk Hospital area (at night); Merchant's Place (late evening); Westgate and St. Margaret's area (after dark). See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Bury St Edmunds (2026)?
- Fake police or official impersonation scams
- Bottleneck and moped mugger pickpocketing ploys in crowded areas
How does Bury St Edmunds compare with other places in United Kingdom (2026)?
Bury St Edmunds ranks #4 of 9 United Kingdom destinations we've assessed, scoring 87/100. See the United Kingdom safety overview for the full list.
How is this bury-st-edmunds 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.
More United Kingdom reports
6 reports
Nearby destinations
4 reports
Similar safety profile
4 reports
Keep exploring
Raw data: bury-st-edmunds.json (CC BY 4.0).