Is Bath Safe?

Bath has a calm reputation, and many parts of the city still feel safe and relaxed day to day. Old streets, student housing, local shops, and tourism all shape the way the city moves. Yet crime is not spread evenly, making people question “Is Bath safe?”. Some neighbourhoods stay quiet for long periods, while busy central areas deal with more theft, disorder, and late-night trouble.

Recent 2026 figures reflect that contrast clearly. For anyone moving to Bath, studying there, running a business, or planning regular visits, knowing which areas face more issues can help avoid problems later. This guide breaks down the latest crime figures, safer parts of the city, and locations reporting higher incident levels.

Quick Facts:

Bath’s Crime Rate: 81 crimes per 1,000 people. This is 12% higher than the national average but represents a significant improvement from previous years.

Most Dangerous Areas:

• Twerton: 151 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Kingsmead (City Centre): 138 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Southdown: 112 crimes per 1,000 people.

Safest Areas:

• Bathwick: 26 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Oldfield Park: 31 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Bathavon North: 38 crimes per 1,000 people.

Most Common Crimes: Violence and sexual offences: 3,674 reported incidents.

Source: CrimeRate

Is Bath Safe?

Bath Safe looks even better in 2026. Recent figures show the city’s crime rate has dropped to 81 crimes per 1,000 people, down from earlier numbers. That may not sound dramatic at first glance, yet it matters. A lower rate means fewer reported incidents across the city and stronger confidence for people living, studying, or working there every day.

Bath still holds its place as the safest major town in Somerset. It also remains one of the safer university cities anywhere in England and Wales. This says a lot given the steady flow of students and tourists moving through the area year-round. National comparisons paint the same picture. Out of more than 1,400 towns and cities, Bath ranks well outside the high-crime group and continues to sit safer than places like Cardiff, Bristol, and Sheffield.

Is Bath A Safe Place to Live?

Bath’s crime figures have moved around quite a bit in recent years. In 2024, the number was a high rate of 93 per 1000 people. Some people noticed the change, especially around busy parts of the city centre. Things seem to be easing now, though, as the latest 2026 figures place the rate at 81.

For many residents, Bath does not feel heavily unsafe in daily life. Walking through most neighbourhoods during the afternoon, it feels fairly calm. The atmosphere changes more around packed nightlife streets or tourist areas once evenings get busy. That is usually where smaller incidents happen. Even with crime levels sitting above older figures, Bath still reports fewer offences than many well-known UK cities and remains the safest major town in Somerset.

What Are the Safest Areas in Bath?

If you are concerned about whether it is bath safe, understand statistics clearly. Focusing on low-crime neighbourhoods is a wise strategy. According to the latest 2026 statistics, the safest areas in the city are:

• Bathwick: 26 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Oldfield Park: 31 crimes per 1,000 people.
• Bathavon North: 38 crimes per 1,000 people.

Crime rates across these areas remain much lower than the Bath average. Residents often describe them as quieter and more settled, with fewer day-to-day problems. Local businesses also benefit from calmer surroundings and less disruption. For people wanting a safer part of Bath, these neighbourhoods continue to stand out in 2026.

What Are the Most Dangerous Areas in Bath?

The question of Is Bath Safe holds more pressure than others. Busy streets, shopping areas, and steady nightlife all raise incident levels. Recent figures for the year ending January 2026 show the highest rates in:

• Twerton: 151 crimes per 1,000 people
• Kingsmead (including the city centre): 138 crimes per 1,000 people
• Southdown: 112 crimes per 1,000 people

 

Violence, public disorder, and theft appear more often in these areas. Shoplifting remains a major issue, especially around retail zones with heavy footfall. Current levels sit far above the national average. Knowing the dangerous areas in England and Wales helps people to be aware.

What Are the Most Common Crimes in Bath?

Bath’s overall crime rate has improved, yet some offence types still stand out more than others. Recent 2025–2026 figures show the most reported crimes are:

Violence and sexual offences: 3,674 incidents

Shoplifting: 1,386 incidents

Public order: 993 incidents

Criminal damage and arson: 568 incidents

Other theft: 521 incidents

Violence-related offences remain the largest category across the city. Shoplifting also continues to put pressure on local retailers, especially in busy shopping areas, where rates now sit well above the national average.

Is Crime in Bath Increasing?

Crime in Bath rose for several years, but recent figures show a different direction. The recorded rates were:

2021: 66 crimes per 1,000 people

2022: 78 crimes per 1,000 people

2023: 75 crimes per 1,000 people

2024: 93 crimes per 1,000 people

2026: 81 crimes per 1,000 people

The sharp rise seen in 2024 has eased. Current numbers point to a slower pace and better control across the city. Over five years, the wider trend still shows higher crime levels overall. Even so, the latest drop suggests the recent surge has started to settle rather than continue climbing.

How to Stay Safe in Bath

Since crime is on the rise in Bath, we’re sharing some practical steps residents and businesses can take to enhance safety:

Tips for Residents:

• Secure Your Home: Ensure your property is well-lit and deter intruders by installing high quality locks on doors and windows.
• Invest in Security Technology: Protect your home by installing CCTV, alarm systems, and motion-sensor lights to help deter burglars.
• Protect Your Belongings: Whether at home or in public, minimise risk of theft by securing valuables and keeping them out of sight.

Tips for Businesses:

• Manned Guarding: Create secure and welcoming environment with fully licensed security guards stationed at your business premises.
• CCTV Monitoring Services: Consider 24/7 professional surveillance and real-time monitoring of your business premises to detect and respond to suspicious activity, and for added peace of mind.
• Keyholding and Alarm Response: These offer swift intervention of alarm activations on your business premises, ensuring continuous safety for employees, customers, and visitors.

Conclusion: Is Bath Safe?

Bath remains one of the safest major towns in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, making it a desirable place to live, work, and visit. However, the increase in crime rates since 2021 signals the need for vigilance and safety precautions.

Whether you are a resident, business owner, or visitor, taking proactive security steps will help you enjoy all that Bath has to offer without worry.

If you found this article helpful, visit our News and Insights page to learn more about crime rates and security solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why Does Bath Still Rank As One Of The Safest Cities In The UK? 

Bath stays quieter than many larger cities. A lot of neighbourhoods have lower crime, less noise, and fewer serious incidents. Daily life feels more settled in many residential parts of the city.

2. Does Bath City Centre Have More Crime Than Residential Areas? 

Yes. The centre is busier, especially at night. Shops, pubs, tourism, and transport all bring larger crowds, which often leads to more theft and public trouble.

3. Are Crime Rates In Bath Going Up Or Down? 

The latest 2026 figures show improvement. Earlier years saw a rise, but current numbers suggest things have started to steady again.

4. Why Is Shoplifting Increasing In Some Parts Of Bath? 

Busy shopping areas attract more visitors. Crowded streets make it easier for theft to happen without being noticed quickly.

5. Is Bath A Good Place For Families And Students? 

Many people think so because several areas feel calm, friendly, and less hectic than bigger cities.