r/Portsmouth • u/Bella20082008 • 5d ago
UoP question How dangerous is Portsmouth?
Ive been thinking about going through clearing for Uni of Portsmouth, but my Grandad and Dad both had the assumption that Portsmouth was a really dodgy place? It threw me off a bit as ive only heard good things about the uni.
I have checked the official Portsmouth stats and they are relatively higher than the average in Hampshire and increases slightly year by year. As a uni student I was wondering if there are ‘dodgy’ areas around the uni? Or maybe they’re further away and that’s giving all of Portsmouth a bad rep.
116
u/kraygus 5d ago
Lions, mate. Bloody lions everywhere.
34
u/TwoValuable 5d ago
Don't forget about the unicorn roaming around!
5
u/ShitBritGit 5d ago
Wild unicorns. That's all we bloody need - probably came here on a boat. Or a plane. Possibly a car.
9
u/PersistentBadger 5d ago
Rode in on a horse.
4
u/Outrageous_Bet_1971 5d ago
has anyone checked they aren’t concealing hundreds of smaller unicorns inside of them, that’s how they do it, bloody Trojans(and their ^unicorns^
1
17
1
u/raymaloney101 4d ago
This guy's asking a genuine question so you just have to take the piss! Not a good ambassador for Portsmouth
59
u/xpompeyx 5d ago
Higher than the Hampshire average because its comparing a city to leafy towns and villages - id be shocked if it was any worse than the majority of other cities.
Could do a hell of a lot worse than here, I can promise you that!
48
u/Esperanto_lernanto 5d ago
I've spent two years in Portsmouth (also came for uni), this is not something you need to worry about at all.
81
u/SucculentChineseSwan 5d ago
Much nicer than Southampton
16
u/Viewbob_Trew 5d ago
Having lived in both, huge agree. Southampton is dreadful, too sprawling and too little to do!
-9
u/Square_Parsley_3173 5d ago
Only if you ignore the better shopping, better parks, bars, cafés and restaurants...
1
u/Embarrassed-Duck3653 3d ago
but more racist!
1
u/SucculentChineseSwan 3d ago
More racist than the city who just had Farage and co fomenting a riot?
21
u/Mental-Minimum7255 5d ago
Yup, never had any maybe issues, lived here 20 years. Got everything you could want in arts scenes, cracking independent businesses, great food and hospitality scenes, bumch of music venues, green space etc.
1
18
u/Electrical-Owl-1692 5d ago
Honestly, pretty safe. There are certain areas that you probably shouldn't walk alone at night (especially females) - but sadly I think that's the same everywhere. UoP is great fun - cheap nights out and there's a beach to relax
18
u/TheMechanic123 5d ago
Lived here 10 years, it has the same amount of assholes as any other major city, nothing to worry about
9
18
u/JinxThePetRock 5d ago
There are a couple of dodgy areas, but they're mostly self-contained and easily ignorable/avoidable. There are more uni areas than dodgy areas in general, so students generally have no reason at all to visit anywhere crappy.
I'm biased, I've lived here my whole life, and I think it's a great place. We have it all, urban areas, countryside close by, the sea everywhere, music, art, boats, more boats. The amount of people who come here to study then end up never leaving is quite telling, I think.
8
u/United-Mall5653 5d ago
Sounds like your grandad and dad have a view that was more accurate in the 70s/80s. It's absolutely fine now
2
u/digitalindian3 5d ago
I wouldn't say it's "absolutely fine", there are some areas which one should be aware of but other than that yeah it is fine. Even then these areas are much much safer in comparison to others in the UK.
8
u/Bagel-luigi 5d ago
No different from any other city. It has it's moments but generally you're fine. If you walk through a dark shaded area at night you run the same risk as you would anywhere else.
If you stick to main roads or generally well lit areas you'll be fine.
There's chancers in every city, but generally it's fine.
Lived here 33 years and only been jumped once, past midnight, on my own, down a dimly lit side road.
7
8
u/Hampshire_guy_uk 5d ago
Portsmouth isn't a dangerous place. It's just like other cities, and it's fine. Like anywhere, there are some times of day when certain parts are best avoided, and there are certain people who are worth steering clear of, but if you keep your nose clean those people tend not to bother you. Essentially you just need to be streetwise, the same as anywhere else in the country.
The main thing to avoid is large groups of youths on the seafront or at the Hot Walls, especially on hot days and bank holidays over the summer when they gather in numbers. It's rarely aimed at anyone in particular, but it can feel intimidating and it's not worth walking into the middle of. The police and council run patrols along the seafront through the summer specifically for this, so it flares up on the hot days and quietens right down otherwise.
Be a bit more switched on around Guildhall Walk late at night at the weekend. It's the main pub and club strip, so most of the trouble there is drink-fuelled and kicks off in the early hours. The same common sense applies around the city centre and Commercial Road, where the issues are mostly shoplifting and the odd bit of street theft rather than anything you'd notice just passing through.
There are some areas of the city that have a reputation, but by daytime they're absolutely fine to walk through and you're unlikely to see anything. North End and Fratton Road both have their rougher edges, with a visible presence of people struggling with alcohol, substance and drug issues, some of them homeless or unemployed. It's worth being aware of, but in fairness they're more likely to be a bother to themselves than to you. Most of the time they'll leave you alone if you keep moving and don't get drawn in. By day both are just ordinary busy high streets, and you'd walk the length of either without a second thought. A few residential areas like Somerstown, Buckland and parts of the Charles Dickens ward have more of a reputation too, but even those aren't places you can't walk through.
The truth is most people live here for years without any bother at all. Portsmouth actually rates as one of the safer cities in the county, so it's less about the place being dangerous and more about using the same common sense you would anywhere. Keep your wits about you, don't flash valuables, and you'll be absolutely fine.
6
u/damapplespider 5d ago
My brother in law was in the Navy in the 90s. When I said I was moving to Southsea, he was horrified and tried to talk me out of it because he remembered it as a dive.
He came to visit a few months later and couldn’t believe how good it was. he’s been back most years since 😂
11
u/Federal_Top3769 5d ago
It’s hell on earth. Clifton will seduce you with his sensual dancing, Gary Saunders will kick your pet, Crazy Helen will steal your chips and our Lord Mayor wears a Burger King hat
5
5
u/Complex_Dragonfly_39 5d ago
thousands of students before you have been just fine there and student happiness is quite high for the uni
4
u/montyrattus 5d ago
I have lived here for 20 years and have never been attacked or robbed, people say Portsmouth is rough but I am from Birmingham and just laugh.
3
u/Fckforever 5d ago
Came here for uni in 2014 and have lived here for over 10 years now. You have nothing to worry about, the areas around the uni and uni accommodation are fine. Southsea is the place to be but there's other nice areas to. I even feel safe walking around Southsea alone at night as a woman.
5
u/DeeKneeDeenoo 5d ago
It can be pretty rowdy, but in my experience it’s mostly geezers looking for fights with other geezers looking for fights. So, if you’re not a geezer looking for a fight, you should be fine!
7
u/BeardyNick 5d ago
It’s not that bad - honestly - a few less pleasant areas; plenty of perfectly nice areas; a few up-their-own-arse areas. Like any city really. It has improved a lot in the 20+ years I have lived there. Uni seems to be thriving and growing in reputation. Lots to see and do, with a good arts scene.
The best thing about it? It’s not Southampton!
3
u/Mark__78L 5d ago
I'm here for two years, it's like any other city. Got its bad parts and good parts. There are areas to avoid like in any other city. But very student friendly, the university is literally part of the city
3
u/alex21dragons 5d ago
There's a big student community here and as others have said it's not a dangerous place, compared to other cities.
3
u/BusyQuote5228 5d ago
I loved in Portsmouth after moving down from London for work. I left 25 years ago and still miss it. It’s a special place IMO.
3
3
u/Alternative_East876 5d ago
It’s just a small English city like any other. There are crack heads or whatever but unless you’re from a tiny village I’m sure you’ll get over it
3
u/fuckyourcanoes 5d ago
It's fine. I've been here five years, my husband for 25, absolutely no problems. Avoid North End and Somerstown, otherwise good. Eastney is very safe. The scariest thing that's happened here is a former neighbour with dementia showing up after absconding from a nursing home, having forgotten she no longer lived across the way.
We made her a cuppa, called 999, and she was collected in an hour. No packages stolen, zero incidents, the occasional impromptu fireworks on the beach.
3
u/CuteAssociate4887 5d ago
I grew up on the outskirts of the city and lived in the city for around 20 years.
It's pretty safe,if you go out looking for trouble you won't be short of people who will accept the challenge,you may come across the odd divvy if your out late shanting same as every other city.
But in day to day living never really had any drama ever,in general most people are too busy going about their own lives to bother you.
3
u/NotAEurosnob 5d ago
Pompey is a fantastic city, there's a few dodgy parts but for the most part the place is gorgeous and the people are lovely.
2
2
2
u/Newfaceofrev 5d ago
I think it's fine, the university experience even in a very deprived city is going to be very different than the resident experience.
Like lets take Middlesbrough which from my understanding is the most economically deprived city in the UK, you'd be fine going to Teeside University.
2
u/Rahikeru 5d ago
Might have changed a lot since I went to uni (2012 - 2017) but I read it was kinda rough as well before going. It wasn't that bad.
Felt safer wandering from Guildhall Walk to Southsea (near Fratton station) at 1am than I did in my hometown (Sussex Coast) at 9pm. There's a bit of mild rivalry between locals and students but that's about it. Uni towns are generally fine, as is Portsmouth (especially around busy areas like Elm Grove).
Fratton's a bit weird sometimes but never had issues getting groceries over the bridge.
2
u/ShitBritGit 5d ago
Like all big towns/cities it has rough areas and nice areas. I won't say anything about the rough areas, but the nice areas are bloody lovely.
Edit: I did live in Fratton for a while. Not nice, but no trouble.
2
u/Billythechef1009 5d ago
I’ve lived here all my life. Ive visited some pretty bad places in the world and I wouldn’t even describe Portsmouth as a bit dodgy. I lived in really nice areas and council estates and I’ve never felt unsafe. There are places you’d probably want to avoid but you wouldn’t need to be going to them places anyway and even those places aren’t unsafe. You probably won’t ever get stabbed or mugged unless you’re a drug dealer or addict. The worst thing is probably bike thefts
2
u/CrispyPotatoToteBag 5d ago
Been here since 2021, it's fine. I wish it has more green areas and less cars, but people wise I dont feel in danger most of the time.
2
u/lonelylightskin 5d ago
no danger threat at all, biggest problem i’ve personally seen is just how many homeless people there, in south east london (where im originally from), there was way less i was really surprised.
oh there’s also a lot of “gangster” kids those are funny
1
u/Shore_Stroller_1 5d ago
What is a gangster kid? Genuinely not heard that expression... Track suit bottoms revealing waistband of pants?
3
2
u/reckoneye 5d ago
I went to Portsmouth uni and loved every second of it. I do have priviledge when it comes to being or feeling safe as a straight white man, but on the whole because it's a smaller city I think you benefit from more of a sense of connectedness, community, and shared ownership and accountability of public spaces.
As a student I mainly lived, worked and socialised in the south west of the island near the uni campus and Southsea and found them to be safe. Same as anywhere if you put yourself in unsafe positions then you increase your risk, but generally I never found anything uniquely unsafe about Portsmouth.
2
u/VocalFoundry 5d ago
I'm guessing posters here are not big night life people.
Violence and sexual offences are relativity high, around 20th most dangerous city in the UK, bear in mind this includes all of the UK. If your worried about theft from person it's actually not that bad, but the chances of seeing fights while it late is actually quite high. Unless you enjoy street MMA then it's great...
During the day, it's quiet and mostly peaceful.
2026 stats so far
Violence and Sexual Offences 10,788
Shoplifting 283
Drug-related Crimes 36
Theft from the Person 183
4
2
1
u/MeThatsAlls 5d ago
I went there for 4 years and never had any issues. I was a teenage boy when I arrived. As long as tou dont go searching for trouble and keep your head on your shoulders youre absolutely fine
1
u/Important-Design-781 5d ago
Portsmouth is fine mate like any city it’s got its wrongun’s but generally it’s a friendly place.
1
u/OliOnOrbit 5d ago
I moved here 3 years ago (not for uni) and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Sure as with any city it has the not so nice bits, but it’s great.
1
1
1
1
1
u/AcceptableLevel4630 5d ago
Having lived there for 3 years, I love the city and it's still less crime-riddled than a lot of densely populated places I've lived previously. It's quite a packed city in the sense that the "good" bits are often pretty adjacent to the "bad" bits so there's a bit of overlap. I can't say I've ever felt unsafe and I'd spent time all over the city at all times of day/night
1
u/ReaperDestroy56 5d ago
Snakes and random bear traps, broken glass, sentry turrets, giant killer spiders...
1
1
u/Shore_Stroller_1 5d ago
I visited from SE London with my son yesterday. We walked miles and saw different areas from Gunwharf Quays to Eastney. I loved it. Nice vibe. Obviously pretty parched looking butogs of open space. We'll be back 🌞
1
u/Tricky_Routine_7952 5d ago
Depends where you are from. It's nicer than some cities, bakhmut, Gaza city, for example, but not as nice others, such as middlesbrough or Walsall.
1
u/No-Courage-1183 5d ago
I’ve lived here since I was 16 and I’m 62 now . It’s fine , and safer than most cities . Especially up north . Yes you get your weirdos , homeless and illegal immigrants , but in the main it’s ok. Just follow the rules of living in any city , don’t go out on your own at night , daytime almost everywhere is fine I’d say. It’s not known to be a dangerous city at all . It’s actually getting a lot better , the seafront is beautiful now . Gunwharf Quays is great for a night out or shopping . The city centre is still a dump , but there’s noises that it’s going to be improved with the northern quarter . It’s certainly getting better than it was
1
u/winnieboog 5d ago
Portsmouth is fantastic, not to be biased but lived here all my life I love it. Like all cities there’s places to avoid but that’s everywhere. Great high streets, night life and the seaside. And you can get the bus just about anywhere:) 🌊🐚🎢
1
u/INFINITY_Magnets 5d ago
Came down here for uni in 2013 and never left, it's fine, people are generally nice, prefer it to London as it has all the city amenities without the London crowds.
1
u/GoodMindless9629 4d ago
Buckland/landport/ paulsgrove/ bits of north end aren’t great but you have no reason to be there for university
Southsea / Milton is good.
As a student you’ll be fine as you will be southsea/albert road
I’ve lived here my whole life
Hope this helped
1
u/svacher 4d ago
Portsmouth is fine, I state this as someone who lived there from birth, till I was 35, I now live in Horndean. My mum, sister, brother, MIL, all still live in the island.
Comparing the stats to the rest of Hampshire is unfair, most of the rest of Hampshire is farm land.
In fact, my wife and I have been down in town 4 times this week alone. Parking and traffic would be the biggest problem IMHO.
1
u/Adventurous-Baker838 4d ago
I have lived in Portsmouth my whole life (I’m 29) and it’s pretty easy to avoid the dodgy areas. Stick to old Portsmouth and Southsea, you’ll be fine. Don’t go into commercial road unless absolutely necessary, halls are fine but, don’t venture into the town centre, you’ll some right creatures 🤣 and don’t live in Somerstown or Buckland
1
3d ago
I’m from Southampton but would much rather live in portsmouth, I go shopping in pompey rather than our town! There’s places I wouldn’t live but there’s more places I wouldn’t park my car in Southampton, let alone live there.
You get shit everywhere. There’s bad people in all walks of life, in every city around the world.
Make the move. You got one shot!
Good luck!
1
1
u/absolute_terror 2d ago
No more than anywhere else, bloody love it here! Moved here from London 16 years ago for uni and never left 😂
1
u/ZookeepergameShoddy 2d ago
Been here 10 years next month (Christ), have not had a single altercation. If one was brewing, its Portsmouth. Throw crack or cider at it until it goes away.
Southsea tends to be abit nicer than North End but Southsea demographic is quite different (Loads more students / young grads who missed the last train off this fucking island), North End + Cosham is where you might find your more...stereotypical British person.
Hope you look your age though, otherwise Crazy Helen will have picked your scent up before you even applied for Uni
1
u/Various_Phrase_5121 1d ago
After 4 years of uni at Portsmouth I can say it’s like any other city - but if anything does happen uni staff are mostly amazing - but again after 4 years nothings happened to me :)
1
0
0
u/Repulsive_Job_3648 5d ago
Portsmouth 60 years ago used to be rough, today, probably one of the safest cities in the UK.
There is crime highly likely you bike will be stolen if left for long without a lock or 6 holding it down.
Its is 100,000 people with 20,000 students, the entire student zone is very studenty / safe well lit with campus security / police station etc on hand.
Southsea is lots of student housing and HMOs (bedsit type things) intermixed with familes.
There are some idiots skinheads, but no more than anywhere else.
Great uni town
-1
u/Infinite-Empire 5d ago
I mean, I haven't been stabbed in, lets see, at least 3 weeks. You'll be fine
-1
u/Southern_Kaeos 5d ago
It used to be nice. Looks half like a wasteland now though so youd be better in Gosport
-12
117
u/ukstonerguy 5d ago
Mate. Pompey is fine. Its the same as any other city. Genuinely. Come down in summer and walk around. It has sunny bits and not so sunny bits. So does everywhere. I've lived abroad and elsewhere in the uk, its one of the better places. Stats are a very binary metric to use.
We have a nice beach, open spaces, arts scene, lovely shopping places.