Manchester is a safe, welcoming city for all people, whether international travellers, domestic visitors, or local residents. However, as in all large cities, it is good to be aware of how to stay safe when you are out and about enjoying our region.
Emergencies
In an emergency you should call 999 to contact the police, fire service, or ambulance service. These numbers are free to call and should only be used in a true emergency – when an immediate response is required, and someone is in immediate danger.
To report a non-urgent crime to the police, call 101, and to get advice from the NHS on a non-emergency medical situation call 111.
Fo major incident updates you can go to the Greater Manchester Police website, or follow the Greater Manchester Police X (formerly Twitter) account to get updates from across the region during your stay.
For information on what to do during a major incident, Greater Manchester Prepared has all the resources you need.
For all the latest transport information, go to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
Out and about at night
Always keep your belongings with you and in sight when in bars and restaurants – many venues have dedicated bag and coat rooms, and some have clips under tables to secure bags.
Keep your drink with you at all times, and don’t accept drinks from strangers.
If you feel unsafe in a venue for any reason, go to a member of staff and ask for ‘Angela’, and someone will assist you. More information on the ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme can be found here.
Travel
Plan your route before you leave – use the journey planner at the TfGM website.
Only use taxis or licenced mini-cabs.
Don’t walk alone at night, and stick to well-lit main streets and roads.
Always keep your belongings with you and in sight when using public transport.
Take notice of your surroundings and be aware when wearing headphones.
In the UK, cars drive on the left. To cross roads safely, use designated crossings, cross when the green man is showing and take note of the signs indicating ‘look right’ or ‘look left’ to spot oncoming traffic.
For more safe travel tips, visit the TfGM website.
General tips
Don’t leave your bags or belongings unattended anywhere in Manchester, as this can cause a security alert.
Report unattended bags or belongings in public spaces to the police.
When using an ATM, check that no one is looking over your shoulder and shield your pin when typing it in.
Don’t carry too much cash, and use a money belt to keep cash and other documents safe when out and about.
Be aware of your surroundings when using your mobile phone in public places.
Download the free citizenAID app on Android or Apple which gives advice on actions to take in case of an incident.
Report any hate crime to the GM Police.
