You are planning to stay in the UK's second most populous city soon and want to know which dangerous areas to avoid in Birmingham.
It's true that the city of Birmingham is home to some neighborhoods infamous for their dangerousness. So even though the city shines with its rich culture and history, it is important to know which areas are dangerous in order to avoid them. This is what I will tell you to help you choose the best place to stay safely.
Please note, however, that this article is not intended to stigmatize these neighborhoods or encourage prejudice. It simply aims to provide factual information from reliable sources (local press, rankings and statistics).
Is Birmingham in the United Kingdom a dangerous city?
Yes, Birmingham is one of the most dangerous cities in the UK and also one of the least safe to live in.Europe.
This is what the statistics of the site indicate crimerate.co.uk and Numbeo.com. Indeed in 2024 on this latest ranking, Birmingham is the 4th most criminal city on the European continent. With a very high crime index (63,59), Birmingham is more dangerous than Naples, Montpellier, Athens, Paris ou Brussels.
See on the map published on the Numbeo.com website where Birmingham is indicated in red:
Birmingham Red Light Districts
The red light districts of Birmingham are areas to avoid because they are poorly frequented and linked to illegal activities. These neighborhoods may present additional risks to unwary visitors or residents, especially at night.
The 2 red light districts of Birmingham are distributed in different districts of the city:
Most dangerous neighborhoods in Birmingham
According to the latest local authority data, the areas with the highest crime rates in Birmingham are:
- Le downtown : See the article on birminghammail.co.uk which mentions 16 crimes reported in this area over a 756-month period.
- Aston : Located east of the city center, Aston is known for its serious problems with violence and drug trafficking.
- then, we have Lozells et East Handsworth recorded more than 5620 crimes in 12 months.
- South Yardley is also one of the most dangerous neighborhoods with 5375 crimes over the same period.
- Acocks Green ranks just behind with more than 4600 crimes recorded.
Handsworth, Bartley Green, Billesley, Nechells, Bordesley Green, Ladywood, Bordesley & Highgate, Bournville, Edgbaston, Sparkhill, Erdington, and Small heath are also areas not recommended for tourists due to their insecurity.
Safest neighborhoods in Birmingham UK
According to the latest figures from West Midlands Police which lists all crimes committed by area, 3 areas of Sutton Coldfield were among the safest places in addition to the Jewelery Quarter : Sutton New Hall, Sutton Vesey and Sutton Four Oaks. See article on birminghammail.co.uk.
Tourist area to stay in Birmingham UK
Even if the city center is the best located area to be closest to tourist attractions, given the level of insecurity, I do not recommend choosing your hotel or Airbnb there.
I recommend that you choose the tourist and safe area instead. Jewelery Quarter.
Located west of downtown, Jewelery Quarter is a historic district known for its rich history in the jewelry industry. It is home to many jewelry and goldsmithing businesses, as well as museums and art galleries dedicated to this craft.
In addition to its historical heritage, the Jewelery Quarter is also a fairly safe and trendy neighborhood with trendy bars, restaurants and cafes. It's an ideal place for nightlife enthusiasts who want to stay in a lively and dynamic area.
When it comes to accommodation, the Jewelery Quarter offers a variety of options, from stylish boutique hotels to self-catering apartments. You can choose to stay in a boutique hotel located in a renovated historic building or opt for a modern and chic apartment offering all modern comforts.
Here is the hotel that I recommend for its ideal location for a tourist stay: Frederick Street Townhouse
Image attribution logopop, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons