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 Oxford safe? 🇬🇧
United Kingdom · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Oxford scores 85/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes. Oxford remains very safe for visitors with low violent crime and strong institutional safeguards. 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
Oxford 🇬🇧
United Kingdom · Assessed 20 October 2026
85
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime77/100GoodCrime index 37.0 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment83/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories75Good
Stability81Good
Health89Good
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
162k residents
84
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 and armed robbery are rare and typically occur late at night in poorly lit areas away from the city centre.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing happens in busy spots such as the Covered Market, Broad Street, and around Oxford Station during peak hours.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
83/100
Reported feel75Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Visitors consistently report feeling safe walking in Oxford during the day and evening, citing visible policing and a welcoming atmosphere.
Yes. Oxford remains very safe for visitors with low violent crime and strong institutional safeguards.
Oxford scores 88/100 on safety indexes, reflecting low homicide and terrorism risks, though petty theft occurs in crowded areas. Visitors report feeling safe walking alone during daylight and evening due to visible policing and a welcoming atmosphere. The main risks are pickpocketing in busy zones and tourist-targeted scams.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Protesters clashed outside Oxford Union ahead of a Tommy Robinson debate— Metro.co.uk
- Jun 2026Pubs and cafes shut early over protest fears during the World Cup England opener— Oxford Mail
- Aug 2026Public told 'DO NOT APPROACH' as police manhunt continued after an attack— Oxford Mail
Common scams
- Fake petitions or street performances used to distract while an accomplice pickpockets
- Bike theft targeting unattended bicycles near racks on Broad Street and Cornmarket
- Currency exchange fraud and fake tour operators aimed at budget travelers
Full briefing
Oxford is generally safe for tourists relative to other popular destinations, with crime rates below the UK national average for violent crime. The historic heart around the university colleges is very safe, benefiting from good lighting, CCTV coverage, and regular police patrols. While petty crime like pickpocketing and bike theft occurs, serious crimes against tourists are rare. Visitors should exercise standard urban precautions, particularly regarding petty theft and scams, but can explore confidently both day and night in most areas.
Recent incidents include protests outside the Oxford Union in June 2026 ahead of a Tommy Robinson debate, which led to clashes and early closures of pubs and cafes due to unrest. In August 2026, a police manhunt prompted a public warning not to approach a certain area following an attack. These events are localized and do not reflect a broader safety trend, but they highlight the importance of avoiding protest zones and staying alert during large gatherings.
The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing in crowded spots like the Covered Market, Broad Street, and Oxford Station during peak hours, and bike theft near racks on Broad Street, Cornmarket, and the Westgate Shopping Centre. Scams often involve distractions such as fake petitions or street performances to facilitate pickpocketing, and budget travelers should be wary of currency exchange fraud and fake tour operators. Staying alert, securing belongings, and using vetted transport are effective precautions. Solo travelers are advised to share itineraries and avoid deserted areas at night.
Was this Oxford, United Kingdom report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Oxford districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Oxford safety map.
South Oxford (including Blackbird Leys)avoidHigher deprivation and crime rates than city average; visitors unlikely to go here except on football matchdays; exercise caution if passing through.
City Centre (including Cornmarket, Broad Street, High Street)cautionGenerally safe daytime; pickpocketing risk moderate in crowded areas and around Covered Market, especially peak hours.
East Oxford (around Cowley Road)cautionVibrant, multicultural area with student housing; generally safe by day but quieter at night; watch for opportunistic theft near transport hubs.
West Oxford (including Osney and Botley)cautionMixed residential and light industrial area; generally safe by day but can be quieter at night; some traffic calming measures in place.
JerichosaferAffluent northwest residential area with low crime, well-lit streets, and strong community feel; popular with professionals and families.
North Oxford (Summertown)saferUpmarket suburb with tree-lined streets, excellent safety record, low violent crime, and good local amenities; popular with families.
Headington (around John Radcliffe Hospital)saferSafe residential area east of centre; well-connected by bus, good lighting, and low crime; popular with hospital staff and students.
University Parks and RiversidesaferWell-maintained green spaces popular with walkers and punters; low crime during daylight hours; avoid isolated paths after dark.
07 · After Dark
Is Oxford safe at night?
Mugging and armed robbery are rare and typically occur late at night in poorly lit areas away from the city centre.
After dark, be most careful around South Oxford (including Blackbird Leys), City Centre (including Cornmarket, Broad Street, High Street), East Oxford (around Cowley Road), West Oxford (including Osney and Botley). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Oxford safety FAQ (2026)
Is Oxford safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Oxford remains very safe for visitors with low violent crime and strong institutional safeguards. Oxford scores 88/100 on safety indexes, reflecting low homicide and terrorism risks, though petty theft occurs in crowded areas. Visitors report feeling safe walking alone during daylight and evening due to visible policing and a welcoming atmosphere. The main risks are pickpocketing in busy zones and tourist-targeted scams. (Assessed 20 October 2026.)
Is Oxford safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Oxford 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 Oxford should tourists avoid?
Field research flags South Oxford (including Blackbird Leys) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Oxford (2026)?
- Fake petitions or street performances used to distract while an accomplice pickpockets
- Bike theft targeting unattended bicycles near racks on Broad Street and Cornmarket
- Currency exchange fraud and fake tour operators aimed at budget travelers
How does Oxford compare with other places in United Kingdom (2026)?
Oxford 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 oxford 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: oxford.json (CC BY 4.0).