Belfast and Dublin are two bustling cities with a lot to offer, yet if you were wondering which city is safer to visit or live in, read on to find out.
Dublin and Belfast are fantastic cities with historic gems, bustling shopping streets, and traditional pubs.
However, in this article, we will explore why Dublin is more dangerous than Belfast, including key facts and reasons why the cities differ regarding crime rates.
While both cities offer plenty to see and do, statistics show that visitors to Dublin may need to be more cautious than those to Belfast.
So, let’s examine how once-peaceful Dublin has become more dangerous while the once-troubled city of Belfast has found peace.
Is Dublin more dangerous than Belfast? – past vs present
Belfast is still sometimes considered a dangerous city, given its turbulent reputation, and while this was the case, especially during the Troubles, it is quite the opposite today.
While Belfast has adopted a new image, having evolved over the years from a city once plagued by acts of violence, nowadays, it seems as if Dublin is the place where you need to watch your back.
Dublin has a long-standing reputation as one of the safest cities in Europe.
Still, in recent years, with more riots, attacks, and increased drug use among the population, it’s not just visitors who are reconsidering their trips to the city; locals are also avoiding certain areas.
But this is not just our opinion; research shows that Belfast’s safety is much lower than Dublin’s, which we will expand on further in this article.
While almost every city in the world has some areas that are safer than others, it is clear that these days, places that were once safe in Dublin should be avoided, while the opposite can be said for Belfast.
Belfast certainly has some neighbourhoods that impose higher risk, but compared to the Irish capital, it is considered a much safer city today than it once was. So, let’s dive in and explore the facts and reasons why.
The changing face of Dublin – from peaceful to perilous
Over the past few years, Dublin has experienced some terrifying situations, from random stabbing sprees and attacks in broad daylight to the recent Dublin riots, which shook the country.
Locals are experiencing a shift in the atmosphere around the city, and places which were once safe to access are now being reconsidered like never before.
It was just last year that the US government issued a warning to their citizens against travel to Dublin, given the attack that took place against a US visitor.
Just recently, a vigil was held for a Croatian tourist who was killed in the capital. These ongoing attacks and unpredictable situations have alerted visitors and locals.
According to Numbeo, Dublin’s crime rate has increased over the past three years, with high levels of drug use, property crimes and car theft.
Compared to Belfast, which scored 55.22 on the safety scale, Dublin scored 46.91. Meanwhile, the crime index in Belfast was rated 45.78, compared to that of Dublin – 53.09.
While Belfast has its issues with crime, with a high level of increased drug use, it can be seen that in comparison to Dublin, it has much lower levels of theft, muggings, robberies, and break-ins.
Some of Dublin’s most dangerous areas, particularly at night, include O’Connell Street, Parnell Street, Henry Street, the area around Connolly Station, and even the tourist-friendly Temple Bar.
While places are generally safer during the day, attacks have happened during broad daylight in Dublin, which is why you should be vigilant when visiting these areas at any time.
Facts, figures & reasons – an overview of Dublin’s dangerous side
While Numbeo clearly shows that Dublin is more dangerous than Belfast, the latest figures released by the CSO (Central Statistics Office) also confirm this.
The report, which revealed some enlightening figures, showed that while public order offences were down by eight per cent, theft and related offences were up 12 per cent, and robbery, extortion, and car theft were up 26 per cent.
One of the reasons Dublin is now recognised as a risky destination, especially for tourists, is because of two high-profile cases which happened just last year involving American tourists who were mugged.
One incident took place against an American man on Store Street in July 2023, while the second was an attack against two American men in Temple Bar in August 2023, just hours after landing in the city.
In addition, attacks have happened against locals as well as tourists, leaving many feeling increasingly unsafe in the city.
According to a recent survey that rated how safe people feel in the city, more people find Dublin less safe than in 2016. The figures revealed that 61 per cent of people felt unsafe on the south side.
In comparison, 73 per cent felt unsafe on the north side, indicating that the perception of public safety has dramatically deteriorated.
While Belfast has its fair share of places to avoid, Dublin ranks as one of Europe’s most dangerous cities at night, according to a recent study by OLBG.
So, as Belfast continues to attain the status of a safer city, Dublin is struggling to retain its once-peaceful image.
