Manchester is undoubtedly one of the most important cities in England and Wales commonly known as the “Capital of the North”. According to the World Population Review, Manchester’s population in 2024 was 2,811,760 which will slightly increase in 2025. Manchester is one of the developed cities people wish to live in due to the vibrant lifestyle and amazing working opportunities. There are many other things as well including the top tourist attractions, museums, and more.
According to Road Genius, in 2023 alone, almost 37.22 million international tourists visited the United Kingdom for entertainment and business purposes. But in today’s article, we are going to specifically talk about Manchester and its tourism. New York Times published an article in Jan 2024 on “52 places to go in 2024” and they have mentioned Manchester at 12th spot by sharing its beauty and vibrant lifestyle.
According to the Manchester Governments Dataset and airport forecast, in 2023/24, almost 24.7m passengers visited the city for business and entertainment purposes. You can check the “Manchester City Council Report for Information” to get more insights and valuable information about Manchester’s city. Another thing that makes Manchester one of the tourist places in England is its airport. Manchester Airport is the 3rd busiest airport in the whole of the UK which contributes a lot in enhancing tourism.
Unfortunately, the crime rate in Manchester is increasing making it one of the most dangerous areas in England and Wales. According to Statista, there were 8,141 active police officers in Manchester in 2024 trying to control the increasing crimes and illegal activities. This increase in police officers has helped drop the crime rate by a slight margin.
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Is Manchester’s incredible attractions worth the risks?
Now when we are saying the crime rate is increasing and Manchester is one of the most dangerous areas in the UK, it means we are comparing it with the other regions and areas in the UK. When looking at the international or global level, Manchester’s security measures and safety standards are much safer than many other countries and regions in the world.
You can visit Manchester any time for the sake of entertainer and business purposes. But there are certain things you need to be careful of. As one of the best security provider companies in Manchester, we have been working in this industry for more than a decade and have helped multiple businesses secure their establishments and assets. In today’s article, we are going to discuss the top tips for tourists who are planning to visit Manchester in 2025 or in the coming years.
What Are the Common Threats and Risks You Can Face?
The most common threats and risks are theft, pickpocketing, and burglary. As we have discussed above Manchester is one of the biggest cities in the UK and is densely populated. Millions of tourists visit Manchester every year which attracts thieves and pickpockets. One thing that you need to take care of is your money and the legal documents including your passport, and licences because once they are gone, it will be hard for you to find them.
When talking about legal documents, it will be good if you make separate copies and store them in a bag or somewhere safe where it is hard for pickpockets to find them. Minor thefts and pickpocketing mostly occur at tourist hotspots or on public transportation. When travelling in public buses or trains, make sure to stay active all the time and analyse your surroundings to mitigate the risk.
Top Safety Tips for Tourists in Manchester
When visiting Manchester, it’s always good to stay alert and take some simple steps to keep yourself and your belongings safe. Here are some easy-to-follow tips:
1- Try Not to Stand Out as a Tourist
When visiting Manchester or any other city in the world, the number one thing that you should do is try not to stand out as a tourist. This will make you more vulnerable to theft or robbery. Try to stay calm and the best thing you can do is plan your visit before visiting the city. This way, you will not feel lost and have clear instructions in mind on what to do next.
2- Ensure Your Money Is Safe
When travelling on public transport, make sure your wallet is in the front pocket and you try to place your hand on it. Another thing that you can do is split the bills and place them in different pockets instead of your wallet. Let’s suppose you have £500, now the best solution is to keep £100 in the wallet and the other 400 in different pockets. This way, even if your wallet is gone, you will have enough money in your other pockets to travel or buy some food to survive. Moreover, on public transport, make sure all your bags are properly zipped and are right in front of your eyes.
3- Keep the Expensive Items Hidden
We have providing security services for years in Manchester and we have seen that most of the tourists who get robbed are those with expensive items visible. Now the expensive item can be anything including your gold chains, luxury mobile phones, laptops, cameras, and more. This mostly indicates that you are a tourist or visitor and will have less information about the city which makes you an easy prey for thieves, robbers, and pickpockets.
4- Avoid Walking at Night
If you are a tourist, avoid walking at night, especially on roads with no or less light resources. Manchester is well known for its music and nightlife and people love to enjoy in the clubs but this can lead you towards a serious danger. So, if you are the one who loves clubbing, make sure to ask your sober friends to leave you at your place or book a taxi that can help you reach your hotel safely.
5- Get Help from Police Officers or Security Guards
When visiting the different streets and parts of Manchester, you can get help from police officers and security guards. As Manchester has a good number of active police officers, you will surely find some on the roads patrolling. But if there are no police officers, you can approach the security guards to ask for directions. Try to avoid asking random people about the directions because it can lead you toward serious danger.
6- Walk Against the Traffic
One of the most common crimes in busy areas like Manchester is “snatch and run”. But if you are walking against the traffic, you will save yourself from the robbers who use motorbikes or vehicles.
What to Do in the Emergency Situation in Manchester?
Theft, pickpocketing, and robbery are common risks in Manchester. If you have been robbed, found yourself lost, or are in an emergency, the first thing you need to do is not to panic. Suppose you have been robbed and the robbers took all your money, valuable items, and mobile phone, reach the nearest gas station or the retail store and describe your situation. Also, ask them to borough their phone and call “999”. It is the emergency phone number for Manchester Police, tell them about your emergency, and share your location.
Within the given ETA, the closest patrolling officer will reach your location. In the meantime, police will also wireless about the theft or robbery to all the patrolling teams and will try to recover your stolen items. Share your experience with Manchester Police, file a report, and let the police do their work. When talking about tourism, Manchester Police is so helpful and they will ensure you get back to your hotel safely.
Is It Worth Visiting Manchester?
As we have discussed above, Manchester is famous for its music and nightlife. Also, there are plenty of things and tourist attractions you can visit and enjoy with your loved ones. But unfortunate things can happen anytime anywhere in the world, not just in Manchester. So, make sure to follow the above-mentioned tips and it will help you enhance your sense of security which ultimately lead you toward a better experience of visiting Manchester.
Best Close Protection Officers in Manchester
If you are worried about your security but still need to visit and explore Manchester, Guard Mark Security is the one you need. We have been offering close protection officers in Manchester for years and have helped thousands of VIPs explore the city in the best manner. You just need to share your requirements and our close protection officers will be ready to ensure your safety and security all the time in Manchester.
