Bath, a city steeped in history and renowned for its stunning architecture and Roman Baths, has been lauded by The New York Times as the best place to visit in 2025. This accolade, however, masks a darker reality faced by the city’s residents. While tourists flock to admire the iconic Regency buildings and celebrate the legacy of Jane Austen, a surge in criminal activity, including shoplifting, drug use, and organized begging, threatens to tarnish the city’s reputation and disrupt the lives of those who call Bath home.
The influx of tourists, while beneficial to the local economy, has inadvertently fueled a rise in crime. The high concentration of visitors creates opportunities for shoplifters, with incidents of theft from stores increasing by a staggering 83 percent in recent years. Some businesses have resorted to displaying dummy stock or installing facial recognition cameras to combat the escalating problem. The presence of organized begging rings, often involving individuals posing as homeless, further exacerbates the situation. These groups prey on the generosity of tourists and locals alike, diverting charitable donations away from those genuinely in need.
Beyond the economic impact, the sheer volume of tourists, particularly those on hen and stag parties, is impacting the quality of life for residents. The city center often becomes a stage for boisterous celebrations, with loud and disruptive behavior spilling out from bars and restaurants onto the streets. This rowdiness, coupled with the visible presence of drug use and homelessness, paints a starkly different picture from the idyllic image presented to tourists. Residents express concern and sadness over witnessing these issues, lamenting the contrast between Bath’s beauty and the social problems plaguing its streets.
The drug trade adds another layer of complexity to Bath’s challenges. The city’s popularity as a tourist destination attracts drug dealers who exploit the transient population. This has led to an increase in drug-related incidents and a rise in homelessness, as individuals struggling with addiction find themselves on the city’s streets. Local Big Issue sellers, like Holly Fraser, find themselves competing with organized gangs who bulk-buy copies of the magazine, undercutting legitimate vendors and making it harder for them to earn a living.
The issue of underage drinking further compounds the challenges faced by the city. Bath has seen a dramatic increase in hospital admissions for alcohol-related incidents among young people, highlighting the prevalence of underage drinking and its associated risks. This, combined with the boisterous behavior of some tourist groups, contributes to an atmosphere that many residents find unsettling and unwelcome.
Despite the challenges, Bath retains its charm and allure. Residents acknowledge the city’s beauty and rich history, expressing pride in its architectural heritage and cultural significance. They recognize the importance of tourism to the local economy and appreciate the vibrancy it brings. However, they also yearn for a balance that allows both residents and visitors to enjoy the city without the overshadowing presence of crime and disorder. The residents of Bath desire a solution that addresses the root causes of these issues, ensuring that the city’s beauty and historical significance are not eclipsed by the darker realities of crime, drug abuse, and social inequality. They call for effective measures to combat shoplifting, address the issue of organized begging, and provide support for those struggling with homelessness and addiction, ultimately striving to preserve the unique character of their beloved city.
