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 Cheltenham safe? 🇬🇧
United Kingdom · Safety report last updated
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Cheltenham 🇬🇧
United Kingdom · Assessed 1 November 2026
85
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime78/100GoodCrime index 37.8 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment82/100GoodGenerally 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
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
70 / 100 (Generally Positive)
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
119k residents
85
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
LowWorry about mugging or robbery is low, with violent crime considered a minor local problem.
Pickpocketing
ModerateProperty crime is a moderate concern, and pickpocketing is a known risk in tourist areas across the UK.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Generally Positive
82/100
Reported feel70Generally Positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Most residents and visitors feel safe walking alone during daylight hours, though caution is advised after dark.
Cheltenham is a very safe city for travelers, with low risks of violent crime and scams.
Cheltenham boasts a high safety score, significantly outperforming the global average for crime and terrorism. While official advisories highlight a general terrorism risk across the UK, specific threats to Cheltenham are not indicated. Travelers should be aware of petty crime and follow standard precautions.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026A marathon was cancelled and parks were closed due to a storm.— BBC
- Mar 2026Police issued statements regarding banned devices, travel advice, and violence at the Cheltenham Festival.— The Mirror
- Jan 2026The ex-CEO of Entain lost a UKGC case related to a bribery case in Turkey.— Casino.org
- Dec 2025Six arrests were made following a fatal stabbing in Cheltenham.— BBC
Common scams
- Cash withdrawal scams targeting residents
- Pickpocketing and opportunistic theft
Full briefing
Cheltenham is a very safe destination for travelers, with official data indicating a low risk of violent crime and a generally positive perception of safety among residents. While the UK as a whole faces a heightened terrorism threat, specific intelligence targeting Cheltenham is not highlighted. Travelers should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly in crowded public spaces.
Recent reports indicate that a storm led to the cancellation of a marathon and park closures in October 2026, and police addressed issues of banned devices and violence at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2026. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, is a moderate concern across the UK, and visitors should take standard precautions to protect their belongings. A cash withdrawal scam targeting residents was also reported in Cheltenham.
Official government advisories, such as the U.S. State Department's Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) and Canada's advice to exercise a high degree of caution, are country-wide and relate to the general terrorism risk in the UK. For Cheltenham specifically, the risk of mugging or robbery is low, and violent crime is considered a minor local issue. Travelers are advised to keep valuables secure, avoid displaying wealth, and be wary of unsolicited assistance, especially near ATMs.
Was this Cheltenham, United Kingdom report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 5 Cheltenham districts for visitors: 3 safer, 2 needing caution. See them plotted on the Cheltenham safety map.
Hester's WaycautionConsidered a less affluent area; exercise increased vigilance, especially after dark.
WhaddoncautionSimilar to Hester's Way, this area has a higher concentration of social housing and warrants extra caution.
Cheltenham Town CentresaferGenerally safe, but be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas.
UckingtonsaferAppears to be a residential area with no specific safety concerns noted.
ChurchdownsaferA generally safe area, often mentioned for its proximity to the M5.
07 · After Dark
Is Cheltenham safe at night?
Worry about mugging or robbery is low, with violent crime considered a minor local problem.
After dark, be most careful around Hester's Way, Whaddon. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Cheltenham safety FAQ (2026)
Is Cheltenham safe right now (2026)?
Cheltenham is a very safe city for travelers, with low risks of violent crime and scams. Cheltenham boasts a high safety score, significantly outperforming the global average for crime and terrorism. While official advisories highlight a general terrorism risk across the UK, specific threats to Cheltenham are not indicated. Travelers should be aware of petty crime and follow standard precautions. (Assessed 1 November 2026.)
Is Cheltenham safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Cheltenham 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 Cheltenham should tourists avoid?
Hester's Way (exercise caution); Whaddon (exercise caution). See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Cheltenham (2026)?
- Cash withdrawal scams targeting residents
- Pickpocketing and opportunistic theft
How does Cheltenham compare with other places in United Kingdom (2026)?
Cheltenham ranks #9 of 9 United Kingdom destinations we've assessed, scoring 85/100. See the United Kingdom safety overview for the full list.
How is this cheltenham 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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