Short-break tourists see York as the world’s safest city. Photo: Lynne Cameron/PAShort-break tourists see York as the world’s safest city. Photo: Lynne Cameron/PA

Short-break tourists see York as the world's safest city, with Cairo the most risky, according to a poll.

Of 42 world towns, Bath, Edinburgh and Brighton were also considered particularly safe, while Bangkok, Istanbul and Marrakech were, after Cairo, the cities deemed least safe.

From Post Office Travel Insurance, the survey of 2,075 UK adults showed that 72 per cent felt York was safe with only one per cent considering it risky and 26 per cent having no view.

Second in the table was Bath, with 69 per cent saying the spa town was safe and only two per cent regarding it as risky.

Edinburgh also had a 69 per cent safe rating, with three per cent reckoning the Scottish capital was a risky destination.

A total of 62 per cent saw Brighton as safe and six per cent thought the Sussex seaside town was risky.

Of the eight UK and Ireland destinations in the survey, the least-safe was Belfast, with only 37 per cent deeming it safe. But although 53 per cent reckoned Manchester was safe, 20 per cent thought the northwest England city was risky – more than for Belfast (19 per cent).

Least-safe city among the 42 was Cairo, with 56 per cent seeing the Egyptian capital as risky and only seven per cent saying it was safe.

The risky figure for Bangkok was 47 per cent, with Istanbul 39 per cent and Marrakech 35 per cent. A stolen wallet (24 per cent) was the most common occurrence for city trippers who had had problems.

As many as 26 per cent felt they had been ripped off on city visits, with this figure rising to 43 per cent among those aged 18-24.

Kate McMullen, head of Visit York, said: “Our visitors tell us they feel safe in York. It’s a compact city, which means you can easily walk everywhere, it has a lively feel and there’s always something going on, be it an annual festival, the local Shambles market or live outdoor music and our shops are open every day too.

“With more than 30 visitor attractions, as well as a vibrant events and festivals programme, York appeals to all age groups as well as families.”

Egyptian State Tourist Office director Omayma El Husseini said: “Although there has been a lot going on in Cairo recently, I hope it is going to be safer in the very near future. I would like to see it be safe for tourists and I’m sure it is going to be back as a safe tourist destination, but I also think the media have thrown this way, way beyond reality.”

Destination rankings*

Destination Safe Risky
York 72% 1%
Bath 69% 2%
Edinburgh 69% 3%
Brighton 62% 6%
Venice 59% 4%
Vienna 58% 2%
Dublin 58% 6%
Florence 56% 3%
Stockholm 56% 3%
Copenhagen 54% 3%

*Excluding those with no view.

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