The UK seaside town so dangerous locals are too scared to go out after dark – ‘depressing’.TA
The town has become increasingly rundown (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
A declining seaside town has become so dangerous that some locals feel unsafe leaving their homes at night. They have dubbed the resort a “ghost town” and are calling on more support to help turn the area around.
While its three-mile golden beach remains highly regarded by tourists and families, Colwyn Bay’s town centre has experienced a well-documented decline over recent years. As well as notable shop closures, rates of crime and anti-social behaviour have risen above the national average. According to data from Crime Rate, the overall crime rate in Colwyn Bay is around 95 per 1,000 people which is roughly 32% higher than the average for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, areas such as Colwyn Bay North and the town centre, specifically around the Bay View Shopping Centre, have noticed a rise in criminal activity in the last few years.
Get the day’s biggest headlines in UK and World news and more Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Colwyn Bay has declined in recent years (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
“Crime is rife here, it’s noticeable everywhere you go,” Tony Lowdes tells the Daily Express. “It’s a night-time issue for sure and I do not come out at night here. I wouldn’t feel safe. You only have to see it in locals news to know what it’s like. There’s always something going on.”
Colwyn Bay has received over £70 million in public and private investment to support waterfront developments, flood defences, and housing developments. Planning proposals have also been submitted for a multi-million-pound redevelopment of the Bay View Shopping Centre, which includes a new Morrisons, restaurants and a gym.
However, locals argue that the money is being invested in the wrong places. Mr Lowdes says the seafront has been wrongly prioritised at the expense of the struggling town centre.
“It’s depressing here. They’ve ripped the heart out of the town. There’s no regeneration here, it’s just depressing,” the 59-year-old explains.
“They’ve had so many chances here over the years to improve it, but they’ve just let it go. They’ve spent money on the beach but why spend money there if people have got nowhere to go in the town?
“The town centre is falling apart, there’s no infrastructure left.”
Tony Lowdes doesn’t visit the town at night (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
Standing on the West Promenade overlooking the Irish Sea is Enid Walkden, who lives just outside of the town but visits regularly to walk her dog. She describes the seafront as a “beautiful place” but believes Colwyn Bay has declined in recent times due to its struggling town centre.
The 76-year-old says: “There’s more homeless people here than ever I think. There’s more people begging and they’re not always British, which is sad. It puts people off, doesn’t it? It’s a shame as it’s not the same anymore here.”
A number of shops have closed across the town in recent years, including Boots, WHSmith, Poundland, Subway, Costcutter and Costa Coffee. Independent retailers, such as Darisu Menswear, which was located inside the Bay View Shopping Centre, have also been forced to shut.
Ms Walkden adds: “I walk along the seafront all of the time to keep fit. It’s [the town] changed for the worse, definitely. It’s all of the shops that have shut.
“There’s been at least six that have shut in the last couple of years. We’ve lost a NatWest bank, a WHSmith, Peacocks, and Iceland. People don’t have a reason to come into town anymore.
Enid Walkden has seen the town decline over recent times (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
“It’s a shame as people come here for the beach, but they’ve got no reason to stay. The town centre lets it down – it’s becoming like a ghost town.
“People want to go into little local and independent shops, but there’s nothing here. There are more and more charity shops everywhere nowadays.”
She continues: “The shopping area isn’t nice anymore. It’s sad as people want to come to places like this. It’s declining which is a shame. It’s just not the same here anymore. It could be a really nice place with this beach. It is a beautiful place.”
According to Crime Rate, Colywn Bay is among the top 10 most dangerous towns and villages in the county of Clwyd. The most common crimes in the town are violent and sexual offences, with 655 cases reported in 2026 so far.
Drug-related crimes are also prevalent with regional policing operations, such as those by the West Conwy Coastal team, ramping up efforts to target local supply chains. Amina Amirech, who has lived in the town for all her life, believes drug issues have become more common recently.
Colwyn Bay boasts a stunning golden beach (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
The town centre has a number of closed shops (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
“I’ve noticed more people get involved in drugs recently; that’s an issue here. I’m not sure why it’s got worse. It can be scary around the town centre sometimes,” the 32-year-old says.
Ms Amirech, who is below the median age of Colwyn Bay residents which stands at 47, believes the declining high street is driving young people out of the town. Although it attracts visitors over the sunny summer months, Colwyn Bay gets “gloomy” in the winter.
“There’s not much to do for young people around here. There aren’t many shops or cafes or anything. If you don’t drive, it’s pretty difficult to go shopping,” she explains.
She adds: “I want more things to do on Friday nights and the weekend. Even just a bowling alley or something. Like social stuff.
“Most of my friends have actually moved away as there are more opportunities in other places. The young people tend to go to the cities because it’s not that nice here.”
Amina Amirech notes drug-related issues as an increasing common (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
On the other hand, 18-year-old Nicole Davies believes Colywn Bay is an “amazing” place to live due to the sweeping beach and stunning coastal views. She is walking her dog along the seafront when she stops for a chat with the Express.
“The beach is amazing, it’s a great place to walk. It’s beautiful and great for dog walkers. I work with horses and dogs, so it’s nice to have such big open spaces,” she says.
“A lot of places don’t have that so we’re lucky. Everything here is so close to nature. You don’t have to walk very far to go for a walk and get fresh air which you don’t get everywhere.”
Meanwhile, 72-year-old Karen Sparrow, who has also lived in Colwyn Bay her whole life, agrees that the town has changed for the worse in recent times. She describes it as “dirty” and notes that troublemakers come in and out of the town to cause problems.
Nicole Davies sees the positive side of Colwyn Bay (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
Karen Sparrow has lived in the town for her whole life (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
“Shops are shutting, and I don’t feel safe on the streets anymore. That’s what everybody else says,” she explains. “There are quite a few hostels here, and there are drug and alcohol problems around. Most people don’t cause a problem, but it’s the people who come in and out of the area.
“It sounds awful, but I think it’s people who have been moved on from other areas and come here to cause problems. It’s a town of two halves – the seafront is absolutely beautiful.”
According to Ms Sparrow, shops are shutting in Colwyn Bay due to the rise of online retailers. Most locals now travel to Llandudno, located just over five miles away, to do their shopping.
In the town centre, friends Lynda Christian, 72, and Denise Crier, 79, are sitting on a bench chatting. They believe Colwyn Bay faces similar issues to other seaside resorts up and down the UK.
Denise Crier (left) and Lynda Christian (right) believe the town faces similar issues to others (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
The beautiful beach helps attract visitors to the town (Image: Humphrey Nemar)
Ms Crier says: “I moved here around 14 years ago, and it’s definitely gone downhill since. The seafront has always been nice and they’re doing up the Wetherspoons which looks like it’ll be nice.”
The Picture House pub, located on Princes Drive, is undergoing a major revamp. The regenerated boozer will feature a new 1,900 sq ft covered beer garden and a replacement accessible lift.
“So they are doing bits and pieces but the town is struggling,” Ms Crier adds. “There are a lot of shops that have closed down now because everyone is shopping online.”
After being asked whether the town centre is struggling, Ms Christian concludes: “Well, it is. You only have to walk through it. There are homeless people and people up to no good. But I think most towns are like that. It’s an issue everywhere.”
Conwy County Borough Council said: “Colwyn Bay has seen significant investment in recent years, with improvements to the promenade, public spaces and town centre, alongside support for local businesses. We continue to work with partners to build on this investment, support local businesses and ensure the town remains an attractive place to live, work, visit and invest.”
Inspector Kris Hunt, of North Wales Police, said: “Over the last year, Colwyn Bay has seen a nearly 14% reduction in reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB), with most incidents relating to low-level nuisance behaviour, and drug related offences.
“During the same period, there has been a 3% increase in reports of low-level violence, such as common assault. However, serious violence has fallen significantly, with offences resulting in significant injury reducing by 50%.
“While we recognise that any incident of crime can have an impact on those affected, the overall picture shows positive progress in reducing ASB and serious violence.
“Colwyn Bay is a strong community with a wide range of attractions, facilities and amenities for residents and visitors. The town has benefited from significant investment, including the redevelopment of the promenade, creating brighter, more welcoming public spaces for residents and visitors. This forms part of an ongoing multi-agency programme of regeneration and investment.
“North Wales Police is also developing systems that will allow us to monitor and identify ASB and crime hotspots throughout the town at specific times, allowing us to work more proactively to prevent incidents taking place.
“We remain committed to working closely with our partners and local communities, listening to residents’ concerns, addressing issues where they arise and doing everything we can to ensure Colwyn Bay remains a safe place to live, work and visit.”
