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 Manchester safe? 🇬🇧
United Kingdom · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Manchester scores 86/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Manchester is a safe city for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and good public safety infrastructure. 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
Manchester 🇬🇧
United Kingdom · Assessed 13 October 2026
86
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime81/100GoodHomicide 1.1 / 100k
Sentiment83/100GoodGenerally 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
75 / 100 (Generally positive)
75
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
569k residents
74
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
LowViolent crime and armed robbery are uncommon for visitors in Manchester.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in crowded tourist areas and on public transport.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Generally positive
83/100
Reported feel75Generally positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
While specific traveler sentiment data is limited, the city's overall safety indicators and low crime rates suggest a generally safe environment for visitors.
Manchester is a safe city for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and good public safety infrastructure.
While official advisories recommend increased caution due to terrorism concerns, Manchester has a low homicide rate and generally low crime. Travelers should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly in crowded areas.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Police arrested 17 people after targeting an organized crime group across the North West.— Manchester Evening News
- Aug 2026UK police investigated organized crime links following a fatal wreck that killed two officers and five others.— Courthouse News
- Feb 2026Far-right anti-Islam marches and counter-protests took place in Manchester, leading to arrests.— BBC
Common scams
- Ticket touting and resale scams, especially around major sporting events.
Full briefing
Manchester presents a safe environment for travelers, with official government advisories highlighting a need for increased caution due to terrorism, a risk present across the UK. However, the city's own crime statistics, including a low homicide rate, indicate a generally secure atmosphere for visitors.
Recent news indicates ongoing police activity against organized crime, with arrests made in October 2026. While violent crime is uncommon, travelers should be mindful of pickpocketing and bag-snatching, particularly in busy areas like Piccadilly Gardens, the Northern Quarter, and on public transport.
Protests, such as those involving far-right groups and counter-demonstrations in February 2026, can occur and may lead to temporary disruptions or increased police presence. It is advisable to avoid large gatherings and stay informed about local events. Travelers should also be aware of potential ticket touting scams, especially around major sporting events.
Was this Manchester, United Kingdom report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 7 Manchester districts for visitors: 2 safer, 5 needing caution. See them plotted on the Manchester safety map.
City CentrecautionHigh foot traffic areas can attract pickpockets; be aware of surroundings, especially at night.
Northern QuartercautionPopular nightlife area, can experience petty crime and anti-social behavior after dark.
SalfordcautionAdjacent to the city centre, generally safe but some areas may have higher crime rates; exercise usual precautions.
Moss SidecautionHistorically had higher crime rates; while improving, it's advisable to stay aware of your surroundings.
HulmecautionSimilar to Moss Side, it's an area that has seen regeneration but still warrants vigilance, especially after dark.
AncoatssaferA rapidly developing area with a generally good safety record.
DidsburysaferA more suburban and residential area, typically considered safe.
07 · After Dark
Is Manchester safe at night?
Violent crime and armed robbery are uncommon for visitors in Manchester.
After dark, be most careful around City Centre, Northern Quarter, Salford, Moss Side. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Manchester safety FAQ (2026)
Is Manchester safe right now (2026)?
Manchester is a safe city for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and good public safety infrastructure. While official advisories recommend increased caution due to terrorism concerns, Manchester has a low homicide rate and generally low crime. Travelers should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly in crowded areas. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Manchester safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Manchester 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 Manchester should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Manchester (2026)?
- Ticket touting and resale scams, especially around major sporting events.
How does Manchester compare with other places in United Kingdom (2026)?
Manchester ranks #8 of 9 United Kingdom destinations we've assessed, scoring 86/100. See the United Kingdom safety overview for the full list.
How is this manchester safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 11+ 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: manchester.json (CC BY 4.0).