What's the city like?

I love the uni but there's been a number of muggings recently in Selly Oak (3 guys in ski masks who apparently have a knife and hammer) and doesn't seem like the police are doing much about it. I used to see police cars and officers walking around the other week and now I don't see anything. Streets are pretty dead at night now so like pretty much everyone else I just don't leave the house after it gets dark. There's a petition to get the police more involved atm.

That's not good... I hope the police will do sth about it and the situation will get better soon! B'ham seems so nice in terms of architecture and stuff (I love industrial cities, because I'm from Silesia in Poland), it's sad that people prefer violence to appreciating such great places

Hey guys, I've got an offer from the University of Birmingham for law and I'm considering firming it. However, I've heard some really unpleasant stuff about the city (mainly concerning safety). I just need an honest opinion, because the info I have is from few years back. What do you think? Do you feel safe there? Is it a nice place to spend three years in? I'm asking not only about the campus, but the city center and the surrounding areas as well.

I grew up in Brum , not far from Selly oak, and have never been the victim of crime bar one burglary back when I was very young.

It's just 3 blokes who are douchebags, not worth worrying about. It's a very big city so unlikely you'll end up being the target, plus they'll have probably been arrested by the time you'll be starting.

True but it's pretty worrying for those of us who live here right now.

It's far safer than other cities like Manchester, London and so on. That is a fact.

And nothing even remotely bad has happened to me in London. It's irrational to put safety as a deciding factor in what uni you go to. It's not like it's a war zone, people live there atm and are generally fine. You get pricks everywhere!

It's far safer than other cities like Manchester, London and so on. That is a fact.

And nothing even remotely bad has happened to me in London. It's irrational to put safety as a deciding factor in what uni you go to. It's not like it's a war zone, people live there atm and are generally fine. You get pricks everywhere!

I have been to Manchester only once and I got mugged at a cash point. Says a lot really.

Hey guys, I've got an offer from the University of Birmingham for law and I'm considering firming it. However, I've heard some really unpleasant stuff about the city (mainly concerning safety). I just need an honest opinion, because the info I have is from few years back. What do you think? Do you feel safe there? Is it a nice place to spend three years in? I'm asking not only about the campus, but the city center and the surrounding areas as well.

I can't remember where I got the stats from but Manchester is far worse for things like thefts, robbery and violent crime. They reckon there's a serial killer on the loose now as well. 60+ bodies found in canals over just five years.