'Would never go there at night' - We speak to Birmingham residents about the areas they avoid in the city

Last week we revealed the areas of Birmingham that a security group recommended residents ‘avoid’ due to crime rates.

Research from TayBar Security revealed that South Yardley, Stockland Green, Handsworth, Birchfield and Longbridge and West Heath were among the areas of the city with some of the highest crime rates.

The data highlights stark contrasts across different areas. South Yardley, for example, has a crime rate of 223 incidents per 1,000 people—more than twice the national average. Meanwhile, Stockland Green recorded the highest number of reported crimes in the city.

But crime rates alone don’t tell the full story. For many, perception plays just as big a role in determining where they feel safe. While some areas are statistically more dangerous, personal experience often influences people’s choices just as much. So, which areas do people tend to avoid, and why?

People’s experiences vary, but certain areas have gained a reputation for crime. Handsworth, for example, has a crime rate of 194 incidents per 1,000 people, making it one of the highest in Birmingham. Some say they actively avoid certain neighbourhoods, while others believe media coverage exaggerates the risks.

Factors like street lighting, anti-social behaviour, and past incidents influence whether people feel safe. But beyond location, time of day is a major factor. Many say they feel fine moving around in daylight but take extra precautions after dark. So, how safe do people feel travelling through Birmingham at night?

We spoke to residents in Birmingham about some of the areas they avoid and why.

Speaking to locals in the city centre, one Birmingham resident said: “I would say mostly places like Erdington and Ladywood. It’s a lot busier here - and you feel a lot safer when there’s more people. Those areas have more knife crime.”

Watch the video above to see what the locals said.